Best LPN Programs in North Carolina

Details on North Carolina LPN Schools & Classes

North Carolina boasts a great variety of schools offering accredited practical nursing programs. These programs are most commonly found at community colleges and vocational schools in the state. With part-time and full-time options typically available, students can expect the program to take 1-2 years to complete. Some schools offer select class components online as well. Practical nursing programs deliver content via core nursing courses, labs, and supervised clinical experiences. Common course titles include:

• Intro to Health Concepts
• Pharmacology
• Anatomy & Physiology
• Developmental Psychology
• Family Health Concepts
• Holistic Health Concepts

Accreditation

Choosing an accredited LPN program is of great importance. These programs are thoroughly vetted and carry a level of prestige that can’t be matched. The most common accrediting bodies for nursing programs are the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Students will also want to check that their program of choice is approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing.

Admission Requirements

North Carolina schools offering LPN programs will have varying levels of admission requirements, so students should research schools to find out more about individual requirements. These typically include:

• Satisfactory score on the ATI TEAS exam
• Submit official transcripts from all high schools and colleges attended (or GED scores)
• Completion of all prerequisite courses
• Submit application and pay all required fees
• Personal essay or statement of goals

Tuition and Costs

Practical nursing program expenses are undoubtedly on the mind of any potential LPN student. Due to the program being offered primarily at community colleges, fees can be quite reasonable, though this can vary between schools. Students must cover the costs of tuition, required fees, and course materials (books and other supplies). Financial aid is typically available to well-qualified applicants. As an example, tuition for the LPN program at Fayetteville Technical Community College runs roughly $2,280. This does not include additional fees and supplies such as books, uniforms, and shoes.

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

North Carolina LPN Licensing Requirements

In North Carolina, the applicant wishing to become an LPN must attend a board-approved nursing education program. After graduation, a copy of the official transcript needs to be sent directly to the North Carolina Board of Nursing and the graduate must register to take the NCLEX-PN. A criminal background check is also required. LPN licenses are only valid for 2 years and expire the last day of the individual’s birth-month. To renew the North Carolina LPN license, the applicant must fulfill one of the following requirements within the 2 years prior to expiration:

• 640 LPN hours plus 15 hours continued education
• 30 hours continued education
• National certification or recertification
• Board-approved refresher course
• 2+ semester hours of post-licensure nursing academics
• 15 hours continued education AND completion of a nursing project as the principal or co-investigator
• 15 hours continued education AND co-authoring a nursing-related published paper
• 15 hours continued education AND 5 hours developing or teaching a nursing presentation

NCLEX Exam Information

Upon graduating from a practical nursing program, all students must sit for and pass the NCLEX-PN exam for licensure. This exam covers a variety of nursing-related topics and is intended to test the student’s aptitude. For a comprehensive overview of the NCLEX-PN exam, click here. Students are also encouraged to take the NCLEX-PN practice test at their leisure.

LPN Reciprocity and NLC

North Carolina is one of the states that make up the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which allows nurses living in participating states to practice in other NLC states without additional licensure. LPNs licensed outside of compact area states can apply for a North Carolina license by endorsement but can obtain a temporary license to cover them for 6 months while seeking state licensure. In order to receive a license via endorsement the applicant must submit proof of the following:

• Completion of a state-approved education program comparable to North Carolina’s
• Passing the NCLEX or SBTPE
• Mentally and physically healthy and able to perform LPN tasks
• Previous state licensure
• Criminal background check

For those educated outside of the US, applicants can qualify to take the NCLEX by submitting educational documents and passing an English proficiency exam. They must also obtain a valid social security card and submit to a criminal background check.

LPN Salary in North Carolina

The table below lists career information organized by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for licensed practical nurses in North Carolina. The table is sorted by total employment, with the largest metropolitan areas listed first.