Best LPN Programs in Maryland, License Requirements

Looking for a rewarding healthcare career in the state of Maryland? Due to the increased demand for nurses, becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN) is a great way to break into this growing field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports favorable employment outlook for LPNs through the year 2026, expecting nearly 12% growth. To become an LPN in the state, the first step is to enroll in a school with an accredited LPN program. Maryland LPNs earn around an hourly wage of $24.59 or annual salary of $51,140, which is roughly $7,110 more per year than national average.

Are you looking to become a licensed practical nurse in Maryland? The school you choose is important when it comes to getting your license. Approved programs in Maryland are offered at community colleges, technical centers, and private career schools - we list 12 schools across the state. After careful review of NCLEX-PN exam first-time pass rates over the past several years, we have ranked the top 5 programs. For more information on our LPN program rankings, see our Methodology page.

To see all the top ranked LPN programs in Maryland click here.

Details on Maryland LPN Schools & Classes

LPN programs can be found at schools all around Maryland, from community colleges to vocational schools and beyond. Depending on whether a student opts for full-time or part-time attendance, the LPN program can be completed in roughly 1-2 years from start to finish, much quicker than a bachelor’s degree in nursing. The curriculum for LPN programs in Maryland typically consists of core nursing courses, electives, and labs. Common course titles include:

Foundations of Practical Nursing Concepts
Introduction to Pharmacology
Mental Health Practical Nursing Concepts
Maternity and Pediatric Nursing Concepts
Human Anatomy & Physiology

Accreditation

Choosing the right LPN program can seem stressful, but a great way to narrow the things down is to search for schools with accreditations. Accredited schools and programs tend to be of better quality and are held to high academic standards. The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, for example, is a national accrediting body committed to nursing education. Other regional accreditations may also be available. You may also want to find a program approved and endorsed by the Maryland Board of Nursing.

Admission Requirements

All prospective LPNs must ensure that they meet the admissions requirements for their school and program of choice. While these requirements may vary depending on school, they commonly include:

High school diploma or GED
Must have completed all prerequisite courses with grade of “C” or higher
Overall GPA of at least 2.0
Competency in math, reading, English
Submission of TEAS test scores

Tuition and Costs

While LPN school expenses can and do fluctuate depending on many factors, students will generally be expected to cover the cost of tuition, fees, and course materials such as textbooks and supplies. For example, tuition for the LPN program at the Community College of Baltimore County is approximately $2,520, with another $405 in registration fees and $859 for textbooks. For students with tight budgets, most schools offer financial aid packages and/or scholarships, and other student loan options may also be available.

Maryland LPN Licensing Requirements

Maryland requires completion of a state-approved nursing program and a passing score on the NCLEX-PN to apply for state licensure. Graduates of out-of-state nursing programs can still become licensed in Maryland even if their nursing programs is not considered equivalent by completing a clinical rotation with a preceptor. To apply for licensure, the applicant must submit an application to the Board, along with declaration of primary state of residence and a criminal background check. LPN requirements can be physically demanding, requiring sufficient strength to perform daily activities as well as endurance—long periods of standing, squatting, and walking.

NCLEX Exam Information

The NCLEX-PN test is the exam that all LPNs must pass in order to gain licensure once they graduate from a program. This test covers many nursing topics, and consists of around 100 or so questions. For more information on the NCLEX-PN, check out our comprehensive overview here. Students may also wish to take the NCLEX-PN practice test, designed to help prepare new grads for the real exam.

LPN Reciprocity and eNLC

As a member of the original Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), nurses licensed in other compact states can work in multiple compact states without additional licensure. As of January 2018, the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) is in effect, which adds extra protections to the original mandate. LPNs outside of the compact area can apply for a Maryland license by endorsement by providing proof of current license and Verification of Licensure form, submitting a passport-style photo, and completing a criminal background check. Maryland allows foreign-educated LPN equivalents to apply for a license by submitting approval from CGFNS International, Inc. (CGFNS) after they have evaluated the official transcripts and completed a full course-by-course review and proving their English proficiency. For more information on Maryland licensure by endorsement, visit http://mbon.maryland.gov/Pages/licensure-by-endorsement.aspx

LPN Salary in Maryland By Area

The table below lists career information collected by the BLS for licensed practical nurses in Maryland. The table is sorted by total employment, with the largest metropolitan areas listed first.

Area	Total Employment	Average Hourly Wage	Average Annual Salary
Baltimore, Columbia, Towson	6,190	$24.83	$51,640
Silver Spring, Frederick, Rockville	2,370	$25.08	$52,170
Salisbury	830	$21.37	$44,460
Hagerstown, Martinsburg	720	$22.73	$47,270
Cumberland	200	$19.44	$40,440
California, Lexington Park	160	$24.11	$50,150

For those interested in advancing their nursing career, see our Maryland LPN to RN/BSN programs page.

Top Ranked Maryland LPN Programs

Hagerstown Community College

11400 Robinwood Dr, Hagerstown, MD 21742 - (240) 500-2000 -

At Hagerstown Community College, LPN students are trained to work in a variety of settings including home health agencies, doctor's offices, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. The PN Program curriculum includes a balance of general nursing studies and nursing skills with clinical and laboratory practices. After successful completion of the 16-month practical nursing program, students are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).

Overall Score: 100.00 - Request Info on Hagerstown Community College

Anne Arundel Community College

101 College Pkwy, Arnold, MD 21012 - (410) 777-2222 -

Anne Arundel Community College's Nursing department has an outstanding reputation and the express goal to prepare excellent practical nurses who are successfully employed in a variety of healthcare environments. Their students practice simulated nursing skills in a college lab with state-of-the-art equipment and have continually exceeded national and state pass-rate averages.

Overall Score: 100.00 - Request Info on Anne Arundel Community College

Howard Community College

10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044 - (443) 518-1000 -

Columbia’s Howard Community College offers an LPN program to fully train nurses to become a valuable part of a healthcare team at hospitals, clinics, and more. The curriculum includes the use of simulation labs, clinical assignments, and other cutting-edge learning techniques.

Overall Score: 99.57 - Request Info on Howard Community College

Carroll Community College

1601 Washington Rd, Westminster, MD 21157 - (410) 840-8443 -

Carroll Community College is a public, open-admission college located in Westminster, Maryland, that offers an excellent practical nurse certificate program. Carroll Community College is a learning-centered community, engaging students to prepare them for an ever-changing world as qualified, compassionate nurses.

Overall Score: 99.53 - Request Info on Carroll Community College

Community College of Baltimore County

7200 Sollers Point Rd, Dundalk, MD 21222 - (443) 840-2222 -

The Practical Nursing program at Community College of Baltimore County is a 12-month, 46-credit certificate program designed to provide theoretical and clinical laboratory study in nursing. CCBC's program enables students to become caring practical nurses with the ability to assist other licensed health care professionals, such as registered nurses and physicians, and work as members of a health care team.

Overall Score: 98.94

Continued List of All Programs in Maryland

Ranked	Program	Score	Details
^#6	Cecil College One Seahawk Drive, North East, MD 21901 (410) 287-1000	98.80	Request Information
^#7	Wor-Wic Community College 32000 Campus Dr, Salisbury, MD 21804 (410) 334-2800	98.17	Request Information
^#8	Prince Georges Community College 301 Largo Rd, Kettering, MD 20774 (301) 322-0900	94.64	Request Information
^#9	College of Southern Maryland 8730 Mitchell Rd, La Plata, MD 20646 (301) 934-2251	94.28	Request Information
^#10	Allegany College of Maryland 12401 Willowbrook Rd, Cumberland, MD 21502 (301) 784-5000	92.76	Request Information
^#11	Baltimore City Community College 2901 Liberty Heights Ave, Baltimore, MD 21215 (888) 203-1261	90.50	Request Information