How to Get Your LPN License in Georgia (2026)

## How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Georgia Georgia is one of the fastest-growing states in the Southeast, and its healthcare sector has expanded rapidly to match. Atlanta is home to some of the largest health systems in the region, while rural Georgia has acute shortages of LPNs in SNFs, home health, and critical access hospitals. Here's everything you need to know to earn your Georgia LPN license in 2026. ### Step 1: Complete an Accredited Practical Nursing Program Georgia LPN programs must be approved by the **Georgia Board of Nursing** (under the Georgia Secretary of State). Programs accredited by **ACEN** or holding Georgia Board approval qualify. The **Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG)** is the primary provider of LPN education in the state, with certificate programs at Georgia Northwestern Technical College, Augusta Technical College, Gwinnett Technical College, and dozens of other campuses statewide. Programs typically run **12–18 months** and cover: - **Anatomy, physiology, and microbiology** — foundational coursework - **Pharmacology** — drug safety, dosage calculations, high-alert medications - **Clinical nursing skills** — wound care, IV therapy, catheter care, vital signs, patient assessment - **Long-term care and geriatric nursing** — especially relevant given Georgia's large rural SNF population - **Clinical rotations** — in hospitals, SNFs, community health centers, and physician offices TCSG programs often have strong relationships with local healthcare employers for clinical placement and post-graduation hiring. ### Step 2: Pass the NCLEX-PN Exam After graduation, the Georgia Board of Nursing reviews your application and Pearson VUE issues your Authorization to Test. The **NCLEX-PN**: - **Format:** Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) — 85 to 150 questions - **Exam fee:** ~$200 (NCSBN fee, paid to Pearson VUE) - **Time limit:** 6 hours - **National first-time pass rate:** ~83–85% - **Pearson VUE centers:** Atlanta (multiple), Savannah, Augusta, Macon, and Columbus Content areas: safe care environments, pharmacological therapies, psychosocial integrity, physiological integrity. ### Step 3: Apply for Your Georgia LPN License Submit your application to the **Georgia Board of Nursing**: - **Application fee:** approximately **$40–$75** (one of the lowest initial fees in the country) - **Criminal background check:** fingerprint-based, through Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) / FBI - **Official transcripts** from your nursing program - **NCLEX-PN passage** (transmitted by Pearson VUE) Out-of-state LPNs can apply for **licensure by endorsement**. Georgia's background check is still required, but the process is generally efficient. Georgia LPN licenses renew on a **2-year cycle** based on your license issue date. ### eNLC Compact Membership Georgia is a member of the **Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC)**, covering both RNs and LPNs/LVNs. If Georgia is your primary state of residence, your Georgia LPN license grants multistate practice privileges in all eNLC compact states — 40+ states. This benefits Georgia LPNs who: - Work for travel staffing agencies - Live in border areas near Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, or South Carolina (all compact members) - Want geographic flexibility within the compact Declare Georgia as your **primary state of residence** to hold the compact privilege. ### Continuing Education Requirements Georgia LPN licensees must complete **30 contact hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal period**. Georgia does not currently mandate specific CE topics for standard renewal cycles. Approved CE sources include: - ANCC-accredited online and live providers - Georgia Board-approved workshops and conferences - Employer-sponsored competency training that meets board criteria Keep CE completion certificates for at least 4 years. ### Georgia LPN Salary Ranges Georgia LPN salaries typically range from **$38,000 to $55,000 per year**, with wide variation between Atlanta metro and rural areas: - **Atlanta metro (Atlanta, Marietta, Alpharetta, Gwinnett):** highest market, $46,000–$55,000 at major health systems - **Savannah, Augusta, Columbus:** second-tier markets with competitive pay at regional health systems - **Rural Georgia (South Georgia, the Black Belt):** highest vacancy rates; some rural SNFs and home health agencies offer sign-on bonuses and premium pay to attract nurses - **SNFs / long-term care:** high demand statewide, especially outside Atlanta metro - **Home health:** persistent demand; Georgia's large rural geography creates travel-based home health roles - **Corrections:** Georgia DOC has statewide LPN openings with shift differentials ### Top Employers for LPNs in Georgia - **Northside Hospital** (Atlanta) — one of the busiest hospitals in the country; large LPN workforce - **Wellstar Health System** — dominant metro Atlanta system with Cobb, Kennestone, and multiple other campuses - **Piedmont Healthcare** — major Atlanta and statewide multi-hospital system - **Grady Health System** — Atlanta's primary safety-net hospital; major employer in urban community health - **Augusta University Health** — academic medical center in Augusta - **WellStar MCG Health / AU Health** — combined academic health system serving East Georgia - **Kindred / SavaSeniorCare / Pruitt Health** — SNF chains with large Georgia footprints - **Amedisys and LHC Group** — home health agencies with substantial Georgia operations - **Georgia Department of Corrections** — statewide LPN demand at state prison facilities