Kentucky LPN Requirements and Training Programs

KentuckyNurses are an integral part of the healthcare delivery team. They assist patients with health care needs, promote wellness, administer care during illness, and provide support during rehabilitation. Their contributions are so profound that they’re often referred to as the heart of healthcare. Nursing is the art and science of caring, and the profession may be one of the most demanding in the world. Prospective nurses should give careful consideration to their dedication and commitment to providing safe, compassionate and quality patient care. A licensed practical nurse learns to fill various roles, including caregiver, teacher, communicator, advocate, administrator, manager, and many others. Although LPNs work under the supervision of registered nurses or physicians, they are fully empowered to ensure the delivery of excellent care and make the necessary changes to improve inefficient systems. As the ones primarily engaged in direct patient care, they can make valuable contributions that will significantly reduce medical errors, improve the quality of care, and avert workforce shortages that can impact healthcare delivery.

LPN Programs in Kentucky:

LPN Training Kentucky: Prerequisites and Program Content

Kentucky’s approved practical nursing education is an interactive process that includes theoretical, hands-on, and clinical learning. The programs develop nurses who have a strong theoretical foundation as well as clinical skills. Instruction during the 12-month program proceeds from simple to complex nursing principles quickly.

The blended programs emphasize competency based, compassionate, effective, and safe health care in a culturally diverse society and in a wide variety of healthcare environments. Classroom topics include basic nursing concepts, practical nursing, mental health, medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology, leadership, geriatrics, pediatrics, leadership, general psychology, neonatal-maternal nursing, and transition to practice.

During the clinical experience at various health care facilities, students learn to utilize the nursing process to meet patients’ needs and promote collaborative care. They also perform nursing interventions, use their learned communication skills to promote a positive outcome, and provide safe and quality care in spite of the factors that affect patient care delivery.

Eligibility requirements vary by provider, and due to a highly competitive enrollment process, applicants must take every opportunity to meet the school’s academic expectations. Candidates 18 years and older must provide a high school diploma or equivalent, letters of reference, passage of a pre-enrollment exam, criminal background check, PPD or chest x-ray, immunization, a pre-enrollment interview, and attendance of a mandatory information session. Some programs may require students to complete prerequisite courses before enrolling in the program. Prerequisite courses may include CPR, anatomy, medical terminology, chemistry, college composition, mathematics for nursing, and biology.

Program graduates receive a diploma or certificate in Practical Nursing and are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN, which is required for practice in Kentucky. Graduates are encouraged to continue learning as they strive for continued excellence in the nursing profession.

Duration and Cost of Training: The program spans twelve months divided into two or three semesters. Many schools offer full-time or part-time options with varying schedules to accommodate busy adults. Ideally, due to the intensity of the coursework, students should enroll full-time. Part-time students pay more and may require an additional 6 to 12 months to complete the entire program. The average cost of training in Kentucky is $8,400 for a 12-month program. Contact the school directly to find out what is included in the advertised cost as it may not include expenses for textbooks, course materials, lab and clinical supplies, administrative fees, enrollment requirements, prerequisite courses, and transport to the clinical sites. Kentucky residents can apply for a scholarship through the Nursing Incentive Scholarship Fund (NISF), which is available for students attending a pre-licensure nursing program or graduate nursing program. The fund provides $3,000 for each scholarship that students may use to help with the cost of living  and school expenses.

NCLEX Kentucky

Graduate nurses must complete the NCLEX-PN to become Licensed Practical Nurses in Kentucky. Candidates who pass the exam demonstrate their competency to provide safe and effective care to patients in healthcare environments. To take the exam, candidates must submit applications to the Kentucky Board of Nursing and Pearson Vue (the test administrator) simultaneously. Make sure to use the same name for both applications and provide your social security number to avoid delays in the process.

To register for the NCLEX, you can submit an application online or by phone and pay the $200 fee using a credit or debit card. The KBN will review your completed application and determine your eligibility to take the exam. Pearson Vue will email the Authorization to Test within two weeks of submitting a completed application, fee, and required documents to the Board. The ATT will list your name and relevant personal information; review the document to make sure the information presented is accurate. The letter will also have an expiration date by which you must schedule and take the exam. The expiration is usually within 90 days with no extensions. If you fail to take the exam within the specified period, you must submit another application and fee to both the NCLEX and the KBN.

The exam results should be available within 48 to 96 hours. The Board will send notification of your results after receiving an update from Pearson Vue. You’ll receive confirmation of your license if you pass the exam and meet all other requirements for licensure. The Board will provide a Candidate Performance Report (CPR), which will highlight your strengths and weaknesses on the exam. Use the report to prepare for retaking the exam in approximately 45 days.

Kentucky LPN Licensure Requirements

In an effort to protect public health and welfare, the Kentucky Board of Nursing enforces state laws governing the safe practice of nursing. One of the Board’s key requirements is the licensure of graduate nurses and nurses with active licenses in other states or territories as a requirement for practicing in Kentucky.

The KBN defines practice as:

  • The performance of any act that requires knowledge and skills taught in an approved practical nursing program.
  • The observing and caring for ill, injured, or infirm patients under the direction of the registered nurse.
  • The giving of counsel and application of procedures to safeguard life and health.
  • The administration of medication or treatment as prescribed by a physician.
  • The performance of nursing acts authorized or limited by the KBN.

The Board will furnish a license to any individual who applies for licensure through examination or endorsement and demonstrates good moral character, a high school diploma, and completion of an approved nursing education program. Applicants must submit a completed application, application fee, and fingerprints for a criminal records check.

Licensure By Examination

Nursing graduates must apply for the licensure exam using the following guidelines:

  • Submit the application for licensure using the Board’s online portal.
  • Pay the application fee of $125 using your credit card, debit card, savings, or checking account. The application fee is non-refundable. The application is valid for one year or if the applicant fails the NCLEX.
  • Request a fingerprint card and have the fingerprinting agency send it directly to the Kentucky State Police (Records Branch, 1266 Louisville Road, Frankfort KY 40601). Include the $14.75 fee using a check or money order payable to Kentucky State Police.
  • Request an electronic criminal background check through the Administrative Office of the Courts for faster processing. The Board will receive an electronic copy from the AOC.
  • Complete the Kentucky Jurisprudence Exam.
  • Request an official transcript of your nursing education to be sent from the school directly to the Board. The school may send a certified list of graduates after you complete the program. Official transcripts should indicate the degree earned, and date conferred.
  • Register for the NCLEX-PN with Pearson Vue online or by phone. Provide your Social Security Number and input the same name used on the application for licensure. Failure to submit your SSN will lead to delays in processing your application.
  • If you did not graduate from a Kentucky nursing program, you must earn 2 hours of HIV/AIDs continuing education, 3 hours of Domestic Violence continuing education, and 1 ½ hours of Pediatric Head Nurse Abuse Trauma.
  • Request special accommodations for the NCLEX if you qualify under the Disability Act.

Foreign educated graduates:

  • Complete the VisaScreen for Kentucky Licensure.
  • Provide a valid US Social Security Number.
  • Meet all the above requirements for licensure by examination.

A provisional license is available to applicants who meet all the application requirements. It is issued within 14 days of submitting a complete application and remains valid for 6 months. The license becomes invalid immediately upon unsuccessful completion of the NCLEX. Candidates must not practice until the Board issues the provisional license and must agree to practice under the supervision of an LPN, RN or Nurse Practitioner.

A completed application will be reviewed within 14 days. Applications with disciplinary actions or convictions will take up to 3 months to process. You can check the progress of your application online. KBN does not issue license cards. Instead, you will receive an email notification indicating your license number and expiration date.

Licensure By Endorsement

If you were licensed in another state or U.S, jurisdiction, you must apply for licensure by endorsement to practice in Kentucky.

  • Submit the application for licensure by endorsement using the Board’s online portal.
  • Pay the application fee of $165 using your credit card, debit card, savings, or checking account. The application fee is non-refundable. The application is valid for six months.
  • Request a fingerprint card and have the fingerprinting agency send directly to the Kentucky State Police (Records Branch, 1266 Louisville Road, Frankfort KY 40601). Include the $14.75 fee using a check or money order payable to Kentucky State Police.
  • Request a Criminal Background Check Report from the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). The KBN will receive an electronic copy of the report if you request it online and follow the instructions.
  • Complete the Kentucky Jurisprudence Exam.
  • Request official transcript of your nursing education to be sent from the school directly to the Board. Official transcripts should indicate the degree earned, and date conferred.
  • Submit verification of your license from the nursing board or licensing agency based on your passage of the SBTPE or NCLEX. You may complete verification through Nursys if your State Board participates, or use the Verification of Original Licensure form. Complete the top portion of the form and mail it with any applicable fee to the agency that issued your license. The agency must send confirmation directly to the KBN.

Applicants have 6 months to complete the application before it expires. If you hold a valid temporary permit while the application expires, you must submit a new application, fingerprint card, and fee. A one-time temporary permit is available to applicants who complete the application and submit the fee, transcript, verification of nursing license, and criminal background check.

KBN does not issue license cards. Instead, you will receive an email notification indicating your license number and expiration date.

Renewing Your LPN License

LPN licenses expire on October 30 annually. LPNs must complete one of the following continuing education requirements to qualify for renewal:

  • Complete 14 hours of approved CE, or
  • Earn a national certification or recertification related to the practice of nursing, or
  • Complete a nursing research project as a principal investigator, co-investigator, or project director, or
  • Publish a nursing related article, or
  • Conduct a professional nursing education presentation that you develop and present to nurses or other health professionals, or
  • Participate as a preceptor for a nursing student or new employee during orientation – 120 hours minimum, or
  • Provide proof of completing 7 approved contact hours plus a satisfactory nursing employment evaluation for continued employment.

Some college courses meet the CE requirements; examples are those designated by a nursing course number and courses in Biology, Sociology, Psychology and social sciences.

Failure to submit the request for renewal by midnight on October 31 will result in a lapsed license. The licensee cannot practice until the license is renewed. Letters of explanations, corrections, and certified court documents must be submitted before the license expires, or the renewal application will not be processed and the license will need to be reinstated.

All applications for renewal must be submitted online. You will need the last four digits of your SSN, your date of birth, license number, and a credit card, debit card, checking or savings account to complete the payment. The license renewal fee is $65.

Salary and Job Outlook LPNs Kentucky

Nationally, as well as in Kentucky, the demand for nurses will continue to grow as baby boomers age and require continuous care. With an estimated 10,800 licensed practical nurses employed in 2014, more than 65% of them practice in nursing homes, extended care facilities, and patients’ homes.

The uncertain economy affects many industries. However, LPNs, registered nurses, and other healthcare professionals can be certain of job security and a fair wage for their services. Moreover, the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-2015 Edition, projects a 25% increase in LPN positions in the next decade. As the population ages, the need for qualified nursing professionals will grow.

Salary vary by employment and location. Hospitals are still the highest paying employers, and state agencies, physicians, specialty clinics and home health care providers also offer an excellent wage and compensation package. LPNs practicing in the metropolitan areas can earn up to 15% more than those in rural areas. The median annual salary for LPNs was $38,090 in 2014.

Contact the Board of Nursing
Kentucky Board of Nursing

312 Whittington Parkway, Suite 300
Louisville, KY 40222
Phone: (502) 429-3300
Fax: (502) 429-3311

Kentucky Board of Nursing Approved Training Programs and NCLEX Pass Rates

Albany, KY LPN Training Programs:
Somerset Community College – Albany
1273 KY Highway 90 W, Albany, KY 42602
(606) 387-3236
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100%

Ashland, KY LPN Training Programs:
Ashland Community & Technical College – Ashland
College Dr, Ashland, KY 41101
(606) 326-2000
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 60%

Bowling Green, KY LPN Training Programs:
Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College
1845 Loop Drive, Bowling Green, KY
(270) 901-1000
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100%

Carrollton, KY LPN Training Programs:
Jefferson Community & Technical College – Carrollton
324 Main Street, Carrollton, KY 41008
(502) 732-4846
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 80%

Cynthiana, KY LPN Training Programs:
Maysville Community & Technical College – Cynthiana
1094 Us 27 S Suite A, Cynthiana, KY 41031
(859) 234-6689
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 92%

Danville, KY LPN Training Programs:
Bluegrass Community & Technical College – Danville
59 Corporate Dr, Danville, KY 40422
(859) 239-7030
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 94%

Elizabethtown, KY LPN Training Programs:
Elizabethtown Community & Technical College
600 College Street Road, Elizabethtown, KY
(270) 769-2371
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100%

Florence, KY LPN Training Programs:
Gateway Community & Technical College
500 Technology Way, Florence, KY
(859) 441-4500
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: N/A

Beckfield College – Florence
16 Spiral Dr, Florence, KY 41042
(859) 371-9393
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 81%

Fort Mitchell, KY LPN Training Programs:
Brown Mackie College – Ft. Mitchell
309 Buttermilk Pike, Fort Mitchell, KY 41017
(859) 341-5627
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 85%

Glasgow, KY LPN Training Programs:
Southcentral KY Community & Technical College – Glasgow
129 State Ave., Glasgow, KY 42141
(270) 901-1200
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100%

Hazard, KY LPN Training Programs:
Hazard Community & Technical College – Hazard
1 Community College Dr, Hazard, KY 41701
(606) 436-5721
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100%

Henderson, KY LPN Training Programs:
Henderson Community College
2660 S. Green Street, Henderson, KY
(270) 827-1867
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100%

Hopkinsville, KY LPN Training Programs:
Hopkinsville Community College
720 North Drive, Hopkinsville, KY
(270) 707-3700
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 86%

Lexington, KY LPN Training Programs:
Bluegrass Community & Technical College
470 Cooper Drive, Lexington, KY
(866) 774-4872
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 96%

London, KY LPN Training Programs:
Somerset Community College – Laurel Campus
100 University Dr. London, KY
(606) 877-1421
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 93%

Louisville, KY LPN Training Programs:
Spencerian College – Louisville
4627 Dixie Highway, Louisville, KY 40216
(502) 447-1000
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 94%

Galen College of Nursing – Louisville
1031 Zorn Avenue, Suite 400, Louisville, KY 40207
(502) 410-6200
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 88%

Jefferson Community & Technical College – Louisville
200 W Broadway, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 213-5333
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 96%

Brown Mackie College – Louisville
3605 Fern Valley Rd, Louisville, KY 40219
(502) 968-7191
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 91%

ATA College – Louisville
10200 Linn Station Rd, Louisville, KY 40223
(502) 412-4028
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 86%

Maysville, KY LPN Training Programs:
Maysville Community & Technical College – Maysville
1755 U.S. Highway 68, Maysville, KY 41056
(606) 759-7141
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 82%

Mt. Sterling, KY LPN Training Programs:
Maysville Community & Technical College – Mt. Sterling
201 Calk Avenue, Mt. Sterling, KY 40353
(859) 499-6282
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100%

Morehead, KY LPN Training Programs:
Maysville Community & Technical College – Morehead
609 Viking Dr., Morehead, KY 40351
(606) 783-1538
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 88%

Owensboro, KY LPN Training Programs:
Owensboro Community and Technical College
4800 New Hartford Road, Owensboro, KY
(270) 686-4400
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100%

Paducah, KY LPN Training Programs:
West Kentucky Community & Technical College
4810 Alben Barkley Drive, Paducah, KY
(270) 554-9200
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 94%

West Kentucky Community & Technical College – Paducah
4810 Alben Barkley Dr, Paducah, KY 42001
(270) 554-9200
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 94%

Prestonburg, KY LPN Training Programs:
Big Sandy Community & Technical College – Paintsville
1 Bert T. Combs Drive, Prestonsburg, KY 41653
(606) 886-3863
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100%

Shelbyville, KY LPN Training Programs:
Jefferson Community & Technical College – Shelbyville
1361 Frankfort Road, Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-5524
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 88%

Somerset, KY LPN Training Programs:
Somerset Community College
808 Monticello Street, Somerset, KY
(606) 679-8501
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100%

30 thoughts on “Kentucky LPN Requirements and Training Programs”

  1. I wont too go to galen for there adn program but i cant pass the entrance exam i got a 90 last time & i needed a 100 shld i keep taking trying or do a lpn program??

  2. I have another a associates degree in limited radiography but its hard too find a job & ive been a cna for 6 yrs but what u was really asking wld it be helpful too do lpn first then rn? Since its so difficult too get in a straight rn program!

  3. Places like nursing homes are using LPN’S and med tech but most the health care feild wants a 4 yr RN! Don’t waste you money on an LPN program when it don’t take much more to be a 2 yr RN! Most places will pay to further your education if you choose to stay employeed with them for so many yrs! I’m a CNA and after working as one I decided if I go back to school it’s not for nursing!!! Good luck people!

  4. Places like nursing homes are using LPN’S and med tech but most the health care feild wants a 4 yr RN! Don’t waste you money on an LPN program when it don’t take much more to be a 2 yr RN! Most places will pay to further your education if you choose to stay employeed with them for so many yrs! I’m a CNA and after working as one I decided if I go back to school it’s not for nursing!!! Good luck people!

  5. Keep taking the test! Get more involved with nurses at work, use only medical terms at work, and find ways to help you remember what you’ve read or whatever! I have faith you’ll make it if it’s really what your passionate about! PT is a good paying feild!

  6. I have been an LPN for 22 years. I love my patient care. I would never be an RN. I have been asked many times and have even been told they would pay for it. No way!!! I love my patients not paperwork and “in charge”.

  7. I was told that the LPN program was fading out and we were going to be replaced with techs…I know at my facility, LPN’s are fading out and are being replaced with techs…hospitals do not see a need for us any more. They are RN focused and are encouraging LPN’s to go back to school for that. Plz clarify..

  8. They have been saying that for years…some states like IL are phasing them out but, I work for a company that pays LPNs $25 to start doing home health…hospitals don’t pay me enough to roll out of bed…js

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