How to Get Your LPN License in New Hampshire (2026 Guide)

## How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in New Hampshire New Hampshire offers a smaller but well-paying LPN market. The state's proximity to Boston creates upward wage pressure — New Hampshire employers must compete with Massachusetts healthcare salaries for nursing talent, which benefits LPNs willing to work in the Granite State. Dartmouth-Hitchcock, the Catholic Medical Center system, and a network of long-term care facilities anchor the statewide LPN job market. ### Step 1: Complete an Accredited Practical Nursing Program You must graduate from a practical nursing program approved by the **New Hampshire Board of Nursing**. Programs are available at community colleges and technical institutes, including NHTI-Concord's Community College and Great Bay Community College. Most PN programs in New Hampshire run **12 to 15 months** and include classroom instruction in nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, and anatomy, paired with clinical hours at regional hospitals and SNFs. New Hampshire's nursing programs are relatively small by design — cohort sizes are limited to maintain clinical placement quality. This means seats can be competitive; apply to multiple programs if your timeline is firm. Graduates who complete programs with strong clinical affiliations at Dartmouth-Hitchcock or Catholic Medical Center have a meaningful advantage in the job market. ### Step 2: Pass the NCLEX-PN Exam All New Hampshire LPN applicants must pass the **NCLEX-PN** through Pearson VUE. The nearest testing centers are in Manchester, Concord, and across the border in Massachusetts (Salem, Nashua area) for added scheduling flexibility. Once the Board of Nursing receives your application and graduation verification, Pearson VUE issues your Authorization to Test (ATT). New Hampshire PN graduates consistently post strong NCLEX-PN pass rates. The exam uses adaptive testing and evaluates minimum safe practice competency across nursing domains. ### Step 3: Apply for Your New Hampshire LPN License New Hampshire LPN applications are processed by the **New Hampshire Board of Nursing** at oplc.nh.gov/medicine/nursing. Required documentation: - Completed application form - Official transcripts from your PN program - NCLEX-PN passing score from Pearson VUE - Criminal background check - Application fee: approximately **$75–$100** New Hampshire also processes endorsement applications for out-of-state LPNs. Given compact membership, endorsement from most eNLC states is streamlined. Processing typically runs 4–6 weeks for initial applications. ### eNLC Compact Membership New Hampshire is a member of the **enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC)**, allowing multistate license holders to practice across all 41 current compact states. Note that neighboring **Massachusetts is not an eNLC member** — if you plan to commute to or work in Massachusetts, you will need a separate Massachusetts LPN license in addition to your New Hampshire compact license. For New Hampshire LPNs working near the Vermont, Maine, or Rhode Island borders — all eNLC members — the compact simplifies cross-state practice significantly. ### Continuing Education Requirements New Hampshire LPN licenses renew every **two years** with a requirement of **30 continuing education hours**. New Hampshire does not mandate specific CE topic areas for most renewal cycles. Online CE is accepted in full. Many Southern New Hampshire LPNs have access to continuing education programs offered through NHTI, Great Bay, or Manchester Community College, as well as online platforms. Larger employers (Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Elliot Hospital) typically provide CE access as part of employment benefits. ### New Hampshire LPN Salary Ranges New Hampshire LPN salaries are among the highest in New England outside of Massachusetts, driven by the Boston metro wage spillover effect. Employers in southern New Hampshire counties (Rockingham, Hillsborough) in particular must match or near-match Massachusetts rates to retain staff. - **Entry-level (0–2 years):** $48,000–$58,000/year - **Mid-career (3–7 years):** $56,000–$66,000/year - **Experienced (8+ years):** $62,000–$74,000/year - **Southern NH / Boston border premium:** adds $5,000–$10,000 vs. northern NH rates Per diem LPN rates in southern New Hampshire SNFs range from $30–$42/hour, reflecting competition with Massachusetts agencies and travel staffing firms. ### Top Employers for LPNs in New Hampshire - **Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center** (Lebanon) — flagship academic medical center; LPN roles in clinics, specialty practices, and affiliated post-acute facilities - **Catholic Medical Center** (Manchester) — major acute care employer in the state's largest city; LPN demand in acute and ambulatory settings - **Elliot Hospital / SolutionHealth** (Manchester) — large employer in the Manchester market; consistent LPN recruitment - **Concord Hospital** — central New Hampshire anchor; LPN roles in acute care and affiliated long-term care - **LTC/SNF operators in Nashua and Salem** — southern tier facilities directly compete with Massachusetts employers for LPN talent, leading to above-average rates and sign-on bonuses New Hampshire's aging population and lack of an income tax (which makes take-home pay higher than many comparable salaries in Massachusetts) make it a financially attractive destination for LPNs.