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Best LPN Programs in Birmingham 2026

Discover Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs in Birmingham, Alabama with details on local schools, curriculum, tuition, and clinical training. Learn about licensing requirements and nursing career options in the Birmingham area.

Written by Jane Dewy and Edited by The PracticalNursing.org Editorial Team.
Expert Guide Verified updated on May 29th, 2025.
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Birmingham Alabama LPN programs offering nursing training for entry-level healthcare positions
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2027 Best LPN Programs in Birmingham, AL

Finding the right LPN program can feel overwhelming, but we make it easier. At practicalnursing.org, we've carefully ranked the best LPN programs in Birmingham, AL. Our rankings are based on important things like accreditation, NCLEX pass rates, cost, and student support. These programs stand out for their hands-on training and strong job placement. We want every aspiring nurse to have the facts needed to make a smart choice. We've gathered the details, compared the options, and put together a list that truly helps. For a full breakdown of how we created these rankings, be sure to visit our methodology page: https://www.practicalnursing.org/rankings-methodology/
#1

Bevill State Community College

Jasper, AL - Public 2-Year - bscc.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Bevill State Community College's Practical Nursing certificate is a three-semester, concept-based program that prepares students for entry-level LPN careers. The curriculum, adopted in 2016, emphasizes active learning and interdisciplinary collaboration, progressing from fundamental concepts in NUR 112 to advanced topics in NUR 115. Admission is competitive, requiring a minimum ACT score of 18 and a 2.5 GPA in prerequisites, with two start dates (spring and summer). Students complete clinical rotations in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities, and must meet immunization, physical exam, and background check requirements. Graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-PN and can seamlessly transition into the college's ADN program to pursue registered nursing.

  • Entrance exam required
  • Exams: ACT
  • 3-Semester program
  • 2 start dates per year
  • Starts spring/summer
  • 2.5 GPA minimum
  • Prerequisite courses required
  • Concept-based curriculum adopted 2016
  • Clinical background check required
  • Health insurance must be maintained
#2

Lawson State Community College

Birmingham, AL - Public 2-Year - lawsonstate.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Campus Based - Visit Website

Lawson State Community College’s Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certificate is a three-semester, 49-credit program on the Bessemer campus, designed for entry-level nursing careers. The curriculum blends classroom theory in anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology with extensive hands-on clinical experience. Graduates are prepared to provide fundamental patient care under RN supervision in hospitals, clinics, and long-term facilities, with opportunities in travel nursing. The program is ACEN accredited and boasts 100% licensure and job placement rates. Admission is competitive, using a point system that factors in ACT scores, GPA, and prerequisite coursework. With summer and fall starts, financial aid, and an LPN-to-RN track for advancement, this HBCU program offers strong career prospects, with median earnings around $48,000.

  • ACEN accredited
  • Entrance exam required
  • Exams: ACT
  • 3-Semester program
  • 49 total credit hours
  • 2 start dates per year
  • Starts summer/fall
  • 100% licensure pass rate
  • 100% job placement rate
  • 2.5 GPA minimum
#3

Wallace State-Hanceville

Hanceville, AL - Public 2-Year - wallacestate.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Wallace State's Practical Nursing certificate prepares graduates for entry-level LPN roles. Completed in three semesters, the program blends coursework with clinical practice in top-tier simulation facilities. Admission is competitive, using a point system that factors GPA, ACT scores, prerequisites, and info-session attendance. This ACEN-accredited program offers day/evening schedules with fall and spring starts. Students can transition seamlessly to the ADN program to become RNs. Graduates are eligible for PN licensure, with careers in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care. Scholarships and a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education further distinguish this program.

  • ACEN accredited
  • Entrance exam required
  • Exams: ACT
  • 3-Semester program
  • 2 start dates per year
  • Starts fall/spring
  • Prerequisite courses required
  • Scholarships available
  • Center of Excellence in Nursing Education
  • State-of-the-art nursing facilities
*U.S. Department of Education institutional data (IPEDS 2025).

Birmingham LPN Program Overview

Birmingham is a major healthcare hub in Alabama, anchored by academic medical centers and regional hospital systems that rely on Licensed Practical Nurses for direct patient care. LPNs in the city support teams in medical-surgical units, outpatient clinics, long-term care and rehabilitation facilities, physicians’ offices, and home health, contributing to care coordination, medication administration, and patient education under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians.

The local healthcare landscape includes large employers such as UAB Hospital and its affiliated clinics, Children’s of Alabama, Ascension St. Vincent’s Birmingham, Brookwood Baptist Medical Center, and the Birmingham VA Medical Center, alongside numerous skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, community clinics, and home health agencies. This breadth of settings sustains steady demand for practical nurses across shifts and specialties.

Most Birmingham-area practical nursing programs are certificate or diploma pathways designed to be completed in approximately 12 months of full-time study. Many schools also offer extended or evening-weekend tracks that range from about 18 to 24 months part-time, combining classroom instruction, skills labs, and supervised clinical rotations in adult health, gerontology, maternal-child, pharmacology, and mental health.

LPN programs in Birmingham prepare graduates to take the NCLEX-PN and meet state licensure requirements. The Alabama Board of Nursing approves practical nursing programs, defines LPN scope of practice, and oversees licensure. Candidates must complete an approved program and pass the NCLEX-PN to be eligible for licensure through the Alabama Board of Nursing.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses is projected to grow over the coming decade, with thousands of openings annually nationwide due to demand in long-term care, home health, and outpatient settings. While local hiring varies by employer and practice setting, Birmingham’s concentration of hospitals and post-acute care providers aligns with these trends and supports ongoing opportunities for new LPNs.

Employment Opportunities for LPNs in Birmingham

The employment outlook for Licensed Practical Nurses in Birmingham is strong, supported by the healthcare needs of a growing and aging population. LPNs are crucial members of the healthcare team, and their skills are in demand across a wide variety of clinical settings throughout the metropolitan area.

LPNs in Birmingham can find fulfilling career opportunities in numerous types of healthcare facilities, including:

  • Hospitals, providing direct patient care in a dynamic environment.
  • Nursing homes and long term care facilities, focusing on geriatric and residential patient care.
  • Rehabilitation centers, assisting patients recovering from injury, surgery, or illness.
  • Home health agencies, delivering personalized care to patients in their own homes.
  • Physician’s offices and private clinics, supporting daily operations and patient management.
  • Senior living communities, addressing the wellness needs of residents in assisted living facilities.
  • Hospice care agencies, offering compassionate end of life support to patients and their families.

Birmingham is home to several major healthcare systems that are significant employers of LPNs. The area’s largest academic medical center, UAB Medicine, frequently has openings for LPNs in a multitude of specialized departments. National providers with a major presence in the city also offer numerous positions. These include Encompass Health for rehabilitation services, Amedisys for home health and hospice care, and Brookdale Senior Living for opportunities in elder care.

Beyond these large networks, LPNs are sought by many local and specialized facilities. The region has a high concentration of skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, such as Northway Health and Rehabilitation, Aspire Physical Recovery Center, and South Health And Rehabilitation. Numerous home care agencies and specialized clinics also provide a diverse range of employment options for LPNs in the Birmingham area.

List of LPN Programs in Birmingham, AL

Explore the list of LPN programs in Birmingham, AL. This table provides a clear overview of each school, including its city and state location, program highlights, and a direct link to the program page. Review the options to compare accredited programs, class schedules, and clinical opportunities. Pick a program that matches career goals and start the journey to becoming a licensed practical nurse.

Birmingham, AL

Lawson State Community College

  • Certificate/Diploma - Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

    Campus Based - Website

    • ACEN accredited
    • Entrance exam required
    • Exams: ACT
    • 3-Semester program
    • 49 total credit hours
    • 2 start dates per year
    • Starts summer/fall
    • 100% licensure pass rate
*Source: U.S. DOE, IPEDS 2025.

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