Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) vs. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): What’s the Difference?

The world of nursing has many different titles and acronyms. You may be wondering about the difference between an LVN versus LPN. In short, they are two titles for the same level of entry-level licensed nursing, and the title you use depends on the state that licenses you. Use this guide to learn more about what an LVN and LPN do so you can decide if a career as a vocational nurse is one you’d like to pursue.

Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN) vs. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)

Licensed vocational nurses (LVN) and licensed practical nurses (LPN) are two titles for the same level of nurse. Both provide basic care to patients and work under nurses with more advanced titles, like a registered nurse (RN), or under a physician. The main difference is the title, and the title depends on the state. California licenses these nurses as LVNs, and Texas also uses the LVN title. Other states, such as Florida and New York, use the title LPN.

Beyond the title, the two roles work the same way:

Level of care: Both provide basic nursing care. California’s board describes the LVN as an entry-level health care provider responsible for basic nursing care, and O*NET groups licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses into a single occupation.
Supervision: Both practice under direction. In California, an LVN practices under the direction of a physician or RN and is not an independent practitioner. In Texas, the LVN scope of practice is a directed scope that requires supervision by an RN, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, physician, dentist or podiatrist.
Licensing exam: Both take the NCLEX-PN, the NCSBN exam that member boards of nursing use to make licensing decisions for practical and vocational nurses.

Both LVNs and LPNs must meet licensing requirements set by the state in which the nurse wants to work. These typically include education requirements and passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN). In California, for example, applicants must complete the 12th grade or its equivalent and pass the NCLEX. Each state also sets its own renewal schedule. In California, for example, LVNs renew their licenses every two years. After the first renewal, they must certify 30 hours of continuing education completed in the two years before renewal to keep an active license.

Should I Become an LPN/LVN Nurse?

Working as a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse may be a good stepping stone career move if you’re interested in becoming an RN or more advanced nursing roles later. You may gain experience, learn about the types of patients you want to specialize in working with and get closer to determining what you want out of a nursing career.

According to O*NET and California’s Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians, LPNs/LVNs may work in a variety of settings, including:

Nursing homes
Extended care facilities
Doctors’ offices
Private homes
Hospitals

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses may work under RNs or physicians. They gain experience with health care tasks like basic patient health monitoring and care. According to O*NET, their duties might include:

Checking blood pressure
Changing bandages
Collecting test samples
Inserting catheters
Helping patients bathe, dress and maintain personal hygiene
Keeping patient health records and reporting changes in a patient’s condition

In some cases, LPNs and LVNs may also supervise nursing assistants.

Salary and Career

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, the median annual wage for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses was $64,400 as of May 2025.

The nurse salary for LPNs and LVNs is higher than the pay for nursing assistants, whose median annual wage was $42,260 as of May 2025.

Nurses who pursue different nursing specialties in a higher role like RN or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) typically have higher earning potential. According to the BLS, the median annual wage for RNs was $97,550 as of May 2025. For advanced practice roles, the median annual wage was $132,300 for nurse practitioners, $134,040 for nurse-midwives and $236,590 for nurse anesthetists, according to the same OEWS data.

Education Requirements

To become a nurse at the LVN or LPN level, you must meet your state’s education requirements before you can sit for the NCLEX-PN exam. In California, for example, applicants need the 12th grade or its equivalent, and graduating from a California-approved vocational nursing program is one of five ways to qualify for the licensing exam. California’s board also notes that state boards of nursing in many states require graduation from an approved school of nursing.

Skills

According to O*NET, LPN and LVN work includes assisting and caring for others, communicating with supervisors, peers and subordinates, documenting information, organizing and prioritizing work and performing general physical activities. To be successful, an LPN or LVN may want to have skills like the following.

Communication: LPNs and LVNs may need to communicate patient progress to RNs or physicians. The LPN/LVN may also need to communicate to the patient what type of care is being provided.
Empathy: LPNs and LVNs provide compassionate care to patients who could be undergoing stressful times as a result of medical issues. Nurses may provide caring support to patients as well as family members or loved ones who may be visiting or communicating with the medical team.
Organization: Being organized may be very important in the LVN/LPN role. These nurses might keep track of patient care, accurately update records and provide clear feedback and updates to supervisors.
Stamina: Nursing can be a physical role. O*NET lists helping patients with bathing, dressing, moving in bed, or standing and walking among LPN and LVN tasks, which may require strength and stamina.

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) License and Exam

The NCLEX-PN is the licensure exam that member boards of nursing use for practical and vocational nurses, so passing it is part of the state nursing practice requirements for LVNs and LPNs in order to get a license. According to the NCLEX Candidate Bulletin, candidates must submit an application for licensure/registration to the nursing regulatory body where they want to be licensed, register for the NCLEX and pay the required fee.

The 2026 NCLEX-PN Test Plan organizes the exam into four client needs categories:

Safe and effective care environment, which includes coordinated care and safety and infection prevention and control
Health promotion and maintenance
Psychosocial integrity
Physiological integrity, which includes basic care and comfort, pharmacological therapies, reduction of risk potential and physiological adaptation

The NCSBN retake policy allows up to eight attempts a year, with at least 45 test-free days between attempts, and some states allow fewer. If you don’t pass, your nursing regulatory body sends you a Candidate Performance Report that summarizes your relative strengths and weaknesses based on the test plan, so you’ll know what to focus on before retaking the exam. Because you apply to your board of nursing before you test, passing the NCLEX-PN does not start the licensing process. After you pass, you still need to meet any remaining requirements set by your board to receive your license.

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) Programs

Program length and requirements are set by each state. In California, according to the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians, an approved vocational nursing program includes 1,530 hours (576 hours of theory and 954 hours of clinical training) and takes 12 to 14 months full time or 18 to 20 months part time. Approved programs are offered at community colleges, adult education programs, private schools and regional occupational centers. Students study subjects like anatomy and physiology, nutrition, pharmacology and medical-surgical nursing, and the programs include supervised clinical experience.

Once you’re an LPN or LVN, there are other nurse degree programs to consider. One is an LPN to RN program. You may apply your nursing knowledge to your studies and learn how to provide specialized services to a certain patient population, if you choose.

Achieving an RN title may help you advance your career. According to O*NET, RNs administer medications, help plan and evaluate patient care, and direct or supervise less-skilled nursing personnel.

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) Resources and Organizations

As an LVN or LPN, joining professional organizations can connect you with peers and keep you up to date on the industry. Check out these resources and organizations, and review each one’s membership requirements before you join.

American Nurses Association (ANA): ANA membership is currently open to registered nurses only, and ANA has not yet expanded membership to LPNs/LVNs. If you later become an RN, ANA members can attend member webinars, get access to nursing journals, connect with other nurses and support the association’s advocacy for nurses.
International Council of Nurses (ICN): The ICN is a global organization representing nursing. It promotes nursing policy and aligns nursing organizations throughout the world.
National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN): NAHN offers professional networking, continuing education and leadership development for Hispanic nurses.
National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses (NALPN): This is the national professional organization for LPNs and LVNs. NALPN puts on an annual conference, sends out a newsletter and can connect you with a state chapter.
National Black Nurses Association, Inc. (NBNA): The NBNA has an annual conference and networking opportunities for African American nurses.

Have questions about becoming a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse? Check out frequently asked questions on LPNs/LVNs and answers below.