How to Become an LPN in New York – A Simple Guide

Are you thinking of becoming an LPN?

That’s a great idea!

Licensed Practical Nurses (also called ‘Licensed Vocational Nurses’ in some states) are in demand all over the country, including in New York.

They play an important role in the healthcare team by providing basic medical care for patients. 

They work closely with the patients to ensure their comfort, administer some tests, monitor their condition, and report their condition to the RNs and physicians. 

It is a vital and meaningful job. 

And what a great place to pursue your nursing career! 

But you might be wondering… How do I become one? Is it hard? How long will it take? What are the requirements? 

These are questions that we will address here. 

We’ll tell you how to become an LPN in New York in just 4 steps. 

We’ll also address other questions or confusions you might have, such as:

• What is the difference between an LPN and an LVN? 
• What is the difference between a CNA, LPN, and RN?
• What are the duties of LPNs?
• What is the average salary of an LPN in New York?
• Are LPNs still in demand?

This guide will help you on your journey to becoming an LPN. 

So, if you’re ready for the trip, let’s get started! 

How to Become an LPN in New York – 4 Simple Steps

The process of becoming an LPN can be summarized in four simple steps:

1. Get the Necessary Training to Become an LPN
2. Register for Your LPN License in New York
3. Find Your First Job as an LPN and Consider Further Education
4. Keep Your LPN License Active 

Let’s discuss each step, one by one. 

How to Become an LPN in New York Step #1: Get the Necessary Training to Become an LPN

To become an LPN, you need to gain specialized training. 

This means you need to enroll in a nursing education program for LPNs. 

State-Accredited LPN Programs

The first thing to check before enrolling in an LPN program is whether the program has been approved by the New York State Department of Education (NYSED) or not. 

It MUST be accredited, otherwise, your education program will not be recognized by the state. 

It would just be a total waste of time and money. 

To check whether a program is accredited or not, you can go to the NYSED website. 

Aside from accreditation, you can also look at the NCLEX-PN passing rate of the school, as well as the quality of the syllabus, facilities, and faculty. 

Program Length or Duration

LPN programs usually take a year to complete, or somewhere between 12-18 months depending on your nursing program. 

If you are studying part-time, you can complete this in about 18-20 months.

Program Content

LPN programs usually contain two main parts – theory and clinical practice. 

The course content includes topics such as:

• Anatomy & Physiology
• Nutrition
• Psychology
• Normal Growth and Development
• Nursing Fundamentals
• Communication
• Patient Education
• Pharmacology
• Medical-Surgical Nursing
• Communicable Diseases
• Gerontological Nursing
• Rehabilitation Nursing
• Maternity Nursing
• Pediatric Nursing
• Leadership
• Supervision
• Ethical and Unethical Conduct
• Critical Thinking
• Culturally Congruent Care
• End–of–Life Care

The clinical practice involves supervised hands-on experience.  

Requirements for Enrollment  

The requirements to enroll in an LPN program will differ based on your school, but you can (more or less) expect to be asked for the following:

• High school transcript or GED certificate
• Completion of prerequisite courses with a minimum C+ average
• Minimum GPA of 2.75
• Proficient score on the ATI TEAS exam
• Pass a drug screen and background check

How to Become an LPN in New York Step #2: Register for Your LPN License in New York

After graduating from your LPN program, you need to apply for a license from the New York State Department of Education (NYSED).

You cannot practice as an LPN without it.

There are several ways to apply for an LPN license depending on where you are in your nursing journey, your educational background, etc. 

General Requirements 

Before going into the specific ways to gain an LPN license, let’s talk about the general requirements first. 

The NYSED requires that you must:

• be of good moral character 
• be at least 17 years old
• be a high school graduate (or the equivalent)
• graduate from a nursing education program acceptable to NYSED
• complete infection control coursework
• pass the NCLEX-PN or another license examination acceptable to NYSED
• apply for an LPN license with NYSED

The NYSED will evaluate your license application. If you qualify, they will issue you a license parchment and a registration certificate. 

Pathway#1: For Those Who Have Not Yet Been Licensed as LPNs and Who Have Graduated from New York State Approved Nursing Schools

This is the pathway for those who graduated from an NYSED-approved nursing school and have never yet been licensed as an LPN.

To apply for your New York license:

• Submit the Online Form 1 – Application for Licensure – LPN.

1. To fill up this form, you will need to indicate your basic information, contact information, social security number, and any information about any criminal or professional disciplinary action.
2. If you hold other professional licenses, you will also need to enter the license name, number, issue date, and jurisdiction.

• Pay the $143 license and first registration fee by credit card.
• Register with Pearson Vue to take the NCLEX-PN by logging in to www.pearsonvue.com/nclex/ or by calling Pearson VUE at 1-866-496-2539. 

All aspiring LPNs need to take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for LPNs (NCLEX-PN). 

This national examination is intended to test if you have the minimum qualifications to work as an entry-level LPN. 

If you pass the exam and if your application to NYSED is approved, you will be given your license and you can start working as an LPN. 

Pathway#2: For Those Who Have Not Yet Been Licensed as LPNs and Who Have Graduated from Nursing Schools in Other States or U.S. Territories

This pathway is for those who did not take their LPN program in New York but took it in another state or U.S. territory. They are also those who have never been licensed as LPNs before in any other state. 

To apply for your New York license:

• Complete an NYSED Approved Infection Control Course from an approved provider or qualify for an exemption.
• Submit the Online Form 1 – Application for Licensure – LPN.
• Pay the $143 license and first registration fee by credit card.
• Have your nursing school (outside of New York) verify your nursing education. They will need to complete Section II of a Certification of Professional Education (Form 2), and send it directly to the NYSED.
• Register with Pearson Vue to take the NCLEX-PN.

Pathway#3: For Those Who Have Been Licensed as LPNs in Other States or U.S. Territories and Have Graduated from Nursing Schools in the U.S. 

This is for those who took their LPN nursing education program in another state or U.S. territory and have already been licensed as an LPN in another state or U.S. territory. 

Since they were already licensed in other states, they don’t need to take the NCLEX-PN again. Rather, they have to verify their existing LPN license. 

To get your New York license, you need to:

• Complete an NYSED Approved Infection Control Course from an approved provider or qualify for an exemption.
• Submit the Online Form 1 – Application for Licensure – LPN.
• Pay the $143 license and first registration fee by credit card.
• Have your nursing school (outside of New York) verify your nursing education. They will need to complete Section II of a Certification of Professional Education (Form 2), and send it directly to the NYSED.
• Have your nursing license(s) verified through Nursys® or by letting your state’s licensing authority complete section II of a Verification of Other Professional Licensure/Certification (Form 3).

Pathway#4: For Those Who Have Graduated from Foreign Nursing Schools Outside the U.S. and Its Territories

This is for those who graduated from nursing schools outside of the U.S. or its territories, regardless of whether or not they are licensed as LPNs in the country that they came from.

To get a New York license, you need to:

• Complete an NYSED Approved Infection Control Course from an approved provider or qualify for an exemption.
• Submit the Online Form 1 – Application for Licensure – LPN.
• Pay the $143 license and first registration fee by credit card.
• Have your foreign nursing credentials verified.

1. Through the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) Credential Verification Service for New York State.
2. Or by letting your foreign nursing school fill up the Certification of Professional Education (Form 2F).

• If you haven’t taken the NCLEX yet, you will need to register with Pearson Vue to take the NCLEX-PN by logging in to www.pearsonvue.com/nclex/ or by calling Pearson VUE at 1-866-496-2539. 

Pathway#5: For Those Who Have Graduated from the U.S. Armed Forces Practical Nursing Programs

This is for those who graduated from the following U.S. Armed Forces Practical Nursing Programs:

1. Army Practical Nursing (68WM6);
2. Army MOS 68C Practical Nursing;
3. Air Force Practical Nursing Technology Associate Degree (7GAL); or,
4. an equivalent Armed Forces Practical Nursing Program.

The U.S. Navy Programs do not meet New York’s education requirements for an LPN license.

To get your New York license using this method, you must:

• Complete an NYSED Approved Infection Control Course from an approved provider or qualify for an exemption.
• Submit the Online Form 1 – Application for Licensure – LPN.
• Pay the $143 license and first registration fee by credit card.
• Have your armed forces practical nursing program verify your LPN education. They will need to complete Section II of a Certification of Equivalent U.S. Armed Forces Education for LPN Licensure (Form 2AF), and send it directly to the NYSED. 

To read more about the five different pathways to becoming an LPN in New York, you can visit their website. 

How to Become an LPN in New York Step #3: Find Your First Job as an LPN and Consider Further Education

Once you are licensed as an LPN… Congratulations!

You can start looking for your first LPN job! 

Most LPNs work in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. But they can also work in private homes, hospitals, physician’s offices, or government and military facilities.

If there is a particular field of nursing you are interested in, you can gain experience in that field and aim to get certified. 

Some certifications you can look into include:

• Patient counseling certification
• Intravenous (IV) therapy certification
• Advanced life support certification
• Long-term and hospice care certification
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training
• Certified Hemodialysis LPN
• Certified Peritoneal Dialysis LPN
• Developmental Disabilities LPN
• Transplant Coordinator LPN
• Urology LPN
• Wound Care LPN 

You can also consider becoming an RN. Some schools offer bridge programs so that you can upgrade from an LPN to an RN in less time. 

How to Become an LPN in New York Step #4: Keep Your LPN License Active 

While you enjoy your nursing career, it’s also important to keep in mind that you need to keep your LPN license active.

You need to renew your license every 3 years. 

The only continuing education requirement in New York is that you complete 3 contact hours in Infection Control every 4 years. 

However, it would be good to keep yourself updated on new practices, medications, medical equipment, laws, and trends in the nursing field. 

You can do this by attending training or seminars, reading scientific journals, or being active in various professional organizations. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Becoming an LPN in New York 

Now that we’ve discussed the four steps to becoming an LPN in New York, let’s answer some common questions about LPNs. 

What is the difference between an LPN and an LVN?

LPNs (Licensed Professional Nurses) and LVNs (Licensed Vocational Nurses) are the same! 

They have the same qualifications, job descriptions, nursing education backgrounds, and NCLEX examinations. 

The term LVN is just the official title used in California and Texas. 

What is the difference between a CNA, LPN, and RN?

There are many different types of nurses, so you might be wondering what makes each type unique.

The three most common types are Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs), Licensed Professional Nurses (LPNs), and Registered Nurses (RNs). 

To get a better picture of each type of nurse, you can look at the table below:

Type of Nurse	Meaning	Time to Complete Training Program	ExaminationRequired	Tasks
CNA	Certified Nursing Assistant/ Certified Nursing Aide	4-12 weeks	State-approved exam (eg CNA Prometric Exam)	Assists nurses with basic nursing care services such as feeding, grooming, bathing, transferring, etc.
LPN/LVN	Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse	12-18 months	Nationwide Exam (NCLEX-LPN)	Under the supervision of RNs and assists RNs with slightly more complex services such as administering medicines and changing bandages.
RN	Registered Nurse	about 2 years if you take the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) About 4 years if you take the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)	Nationwide Exam (NCLEX-RN)	ADN-RNCreate patient care plans, monitor patients, answer questions, assist with procedures, take vital signs, track patient progress, and guide LPNs, and CNAs. BSN-RNIncludes all the tasks of an ADN, as well as more specialized nursing care and more administrative positions

What are the duties of LPNs?

The exact duties of LPNs may vary, depending on where they work.

In New York, LPNs may administer some forms of IV therapy, but they must always be under the direct supervision of RNs. 

Other general tasks that LPNs do, according to the BLS, include:

• Monitor patients’ health (through vital signs and other indicators) 
• Administer basic patient care (such as changing bandages)
• Provide for the basic comfort of patients (such as helping with bathing or dressing)
• Discuss the care they are providing to patients and listen to their concerns
• Report the patients’ status and concerns to RNs and doctors
• Keep records of the patients’ health

What is the average salary of an LPN in New York?

According to the BLS, the mean annual wage of LPNs in the country is $51,850. This translates to a mean hourly wage of $24.93. 

In New York, LPNs earn a mean annual wage of $53,750, or an hourly wage of $25.84. This is higher than the mean annual wage of LPNs in the country. 

Are LPNs still in demand?

Yes! The BLS projects the employment of LPNs and LVNs to grow by 6% from 2021 to 2031. 

This translates to about 58,800 job openings each year. 

The increase in demand is mostly because of the increase in the elderly population who need healthcare services, especially in nursing homes and other types of long-term care facilities. 

There is also an increase in chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, which require the care of more nurses.

New York is also a hot spot for LPNs. They are number 3 in the list of states with the highest levels of employment for LPNs, according to the BLS. 

States with the highest level of employment in Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: