2024 - Best LPN Programs in Oregon
The state of Oregon believes that empowering nurses not only boosts work morale but leads to higher quality care and an improved work environment. By providing ongoing educational support and opportunity, they can ensure quality service for patients, families, and the community. To become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in the state of Oregon, applicants must complete a state-approved course and required testing. LPNs transferring from other states looking to hold a license in Oregon must apply by endorsement. LPNs in Oregon earn approximately $31.82 per hour, which equates to an average annual salary of $66,190. This is roughly $10,330 per year more than the national average.
Are you looking to become a licensed practical nurse in Oregon? The school you choose is important when it comes to getting your license. Approved programs in Oregon are offered at community colleges, technical centers, and private career schools - we list 6 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 3 programs. For more information on our LPN program rankings, see our Methodology page.
To see all the top ranked LPN programs in Oregon click here.
Details on Oregon LPN Schools & Classes
Oregon offers some choices for practical nursing programs, from community colleges to career/vocational schools. Most programs are designed to be completed in around one year of full-time study, and 2 or more years if a student opts for part-time. The LPN curriculum is centered around nursing theory, labs/simulations, and clinical rotation hours. Common course titles include:
- Care Across the Lifespan
- Psychiatric and Complex Acute Care
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Microbiology
- Human Development
- Emergent Healthcare
Accreditation
Choosing the right LPN program is important; choosing an accredited LPN program is even more important. Accredited schools/programs can give students peace of mind, as they are held to high standards. The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) are just a few accrediting agencies that endorse nursing programs. Students will also want to ensure that they choose a program approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing.
Admission Requirements
While exact requirements will differ between schools, most in Oregon require the following:
- High school graduate (or GED equivalency)
- Completion of prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or better
- Current CNA certification may be required
- Copy of transcripts from all high schools and colleges attended
- Satisfactory scores on placement tests
Tuition and Costs
Students are encouraged to consider LPN program costs carefully. Generally, this will consist of tuition, fees, and course materials including books and uniforms. These expenses can vary wildly from school to school in the state. For those who need assistance, financial aid is typically available through the school or through other sources. To provide just one example, the LPN program at Sumner College in Portland costs a total of $29,970. This includes tuition and mandatory fees.
For those interested in advancing their nursing career, see our Oregon LPN to RN/BSN programs page.
Oregon LPN Licensing Requirements
Individuals looking to receive an LPN license in the state of Oregon must pass the NCLEX-PN after completing a board-approved nursing curriculum. In order to receive state licensure, the applicant must submit an application to the state, including:
- Headshot (passport-style) photo taken within the last 6 months
- Official transcript from state-approved nursing program
- Submit to a fingerprint criminal background check
Oregon LPN licenses expire every 2 years on the day before the licensee’s birthday.
NCLEX Exam Information
Upon graduating from an accredited LPN program, students must sit for and pass the NCLEX-PN examination for official licensure. This exam covers various aspects of the practical nursing curriculum. For more information, our NCLEX-PN overview can be found here. Students may also wish to study for the exam by taking the NCLEX-PN practice test.
LPN Reciprocity and eNLC
Oregon is not a state that has opted into the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which allows multi-state licensure within the states that participate. However, LPNs from other states can receive an Oregon license by endorsement—along with the application and criminal background check, the applicant must also submit:
- Proof of licensure in another state or completed an OSBN-approved re-entry LPN program in the last 2 years
- License verification from the state licensing exam was taken and the state where the current license is held
- Proof of practicing at LPN level for at least 960 hours over the past 5 years
For those who've studied abroad, looking to receive a license from the state of Oregon, the applicant must also submit the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) evaluation of their official transcripts and complete a full course-by-course review, as well as proof of English proficiency.
2024 OR NCLEX-PN Pass Rates and Statistics
- Total Number of State Approved LPN Schools: 6
- Total Number of Test Takers in 2022: 312
- 2022 Average Statewide Oregon NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 83.9%
Top Ranked Oregon LPN Programs
Central Oregon Community College
Central Oregon Community College (COCC) is the oldest two-year college in Oregon located in Bend, with additional campuses located in Redmond, Madras, and Prineville. COCC provides comprehensive college services to students, offering two-year degrees, transfer programs, career certifications, developmental courses, continued education, community learning, and workforce development.
Rogue Community College
At Rogue Community College, practical nursing students are trained to provide individualized care in a variety of health care settings such as long-term care, hospitals, home health, doctor's offices and other community settings. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) care for the sick, injured, convalescent and disabled under the direction of a registered nurse, nurse practitioner, licensed physician, dentist, or other independent health care provider recognized by the State Board of Nursing.
Lane Community College
The Practical Nursing Program at Lane Community College prepares students to take the NCLEX-PN licensure exam to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). Lane's course of study requires approximately one to one and a half years of full-time study and prepares nursing students to provide direct patient care utilizing critical thinking skills in a variety of settings.
Continued List of All Programs in Oregon
| Ranked | Program | Score |
|---|---|---|
| #4 |
Concorde Career College
1425 NE Irving St #300, Portland, OR 97232
(503) 281-4181 | 85.91 |
| #5 |
Institute of Technology
4700 Silverton Rd NE, Salem, OR 97305
(888) 319-7180 | 82.93 |
| #6 |
Sumner College
Cascade Station Campus, 8338 NE Alderwood Rd | Suite 100, Portland, OR 97220
(503) 972-6230 | 75.12 |
Are we missing your school's program or need to make changes to the information listed? Please contact us.
Additional OR Nursing Resources
- Oregon State Board of Nursing 800 NE Oregon Street, Box 25, Suite 465 Portland, OR 97232 Phone: (971) 673-0685
- Oregon Nurses Association 18765 SW Boones Ferry Rd. Suite 200, Tualatin, OR 97062 (503) 293-0011
LPN Salary in Oregon
The table below lists career information collected by the BLS for licensed practical nurses in Oregon. The table is sorted by total employment, with the largest metropolitan areas listed first.
| Area | Total Employment | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, Vancouver, Hillsboro | 2,090 | $33.26 | $69,170 |
| Salem | 540 | $30.83 | $64,130 |
| Eugene | 450 | $29.90 | $62,190 |
| Medford | 200 | $30.80 | $64,070 |
| Bend, Redmond | 110 | $29.69 | $61,750 |
| Albany | 100 | $29.83 | $62,050 |
| Grants Pass | 100 | $32.28 | $67,130 |
| Corvallis | 40 | $29.77 | $61,920 |
Table data sourced from 2022 BLS (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292061.htm)