How to Get Your LPN License in Washington DC (2026)

## How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Washington DC Washington DC is home to a concentration of world-class health systems — MedStar Health, George Washington University Hospital, Children's National, and Howard University Hospital among them. LPN demand in the District is strong, particularly in SNFs, community health centers, and physician group practices. Here's your complete guide to earning your DC LPN license in 2026. ### Step 1: Complete an Accredited Practical Nursing Program The **DC Board of Nursing** (under the Department of Health) must approve your LPN program. Programs accredited by **ACEN** or holding DC Board approval qualify. Within the District, options include programs at **University of the District of Columbia (UDC)** and private vocational schools. Many DC-area candidates attend programs in Maryland (Montgomery College, Prince George's Community College) or Virginia and then apply by endorsement once licensed. A standard LPN program runs **12–18 months** (certificate) and covers: - **Anatomy, physiology, and microbiology** — foundational coursework - **Pharmacology** — drug classifications, dosage calculations, medication safety - **Clinical nursing skills** — wound care, IV therapy, catheter care, vital signs, patient assessment - **Community and urban health nursing** — particularly relevant in DC's dense, diverse urban environment - **Clinical rotations** — in DC hospitals, community health centers, and SNFs DC's location in the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) metro area gives candidates access to a broad range of clinical sites. ### Step 2: Pass the NCLEX-PN Exam After graduating, the DC 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:** DC proper and nearby Northern Virginia and Maryland locations The exam covers safe and effective care environments, pharmacological therapies, psychosocial integrity, and physiological integrity. ### Step 3: Apply for Your DC LPN License Submit your application to the **DC Board of Nursing** (Department of Health): - **Application fee:** approximately **$100–$125** - **Criminal background check:** required for all initial applicants; DC uses fingerprint-based background checks - **Official transcripts** from your nursing program - **NCLEX-PN passage** (transmitted by Pearson VUE) Out-of-state LPNs can apply for **licensure by endorsement**. Note that the DC Board has historically had longer processing times than neighboring states — plan accordingly. DC LPN licenses renew on a **2-year cycle**. The renewal date is tied to your initial license issuance. ### eNLC Compact Membership **Washington DC is NOT a member of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).** As a federal district rather than a state, DC has followed a different legislative path, and compact membership has not been adopted. This is an important consideration for DC LPNs because: - If you want to practice in Maryland or Virginia (both eNLC members), you must obtain a separate license in each state - Many DMV-area LPNs hold a DC license plus a Maryland and/or Virginia license for flexibility - If you move to Maryland or Virginia and establish primary residency there, you can obtain an eNLC multistate license from that state Plan for **multiple state licenses** if you work across the DMV region. ### Continuing Education Requirements DC LPN licensees must complete **24 contact hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal period**. The DC Board of Nursing does not currently mandate specific topic areas for most renewal cycles. Approved CE can be completed through: - ANCC-accredited online and live CE providers - DC Board-approved workshops and conferences - Employer-sponsored training that meets board criteria Retain CE documentation for at least 4 years. ### Washington DC LPN Salary Ranges DC LPN salaries are among the highest in the country, driven by the area's high cost of living and competitive healthcare labor market: - **Typical range:** $50,000 to $68,000 per year - **Major health systems (MedStar, GWU):** competitive base pay plus shift differentials - **Federal government health facilities** (VA Medical Center, Walter Reed NNMC in nearby Maryland): federal pay scale, stable benefits - **SNFs / long-term care:** persistent demand; DC's dense urban SNF market is competitive - **Community health centers (FQHCs):** sliding-scale federally qualified health centers hire LPNs; stable government-adjacent pay - **Corrections:** DC DOC and nearby federal facilities have ongoing LPN demand ### Top Employers for LPNs in Washington DC - **MedStar Health** — dominant health system in the DMV; MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, and others - **George Washington University Hospital** (GWU) — major academic medical center in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood - **Children's National Hospital** — leading pediatric facility in the capital - **Howard University Hospital** — HBCU-affiliated hospital serving underserved DC communities - **Providence Health System (Trinity Health)** — Catholic health network with DC presence - **Kindred / SavaSeniorCare** — SNF chains operating in DC and inner suburbs - **Amedisys, Bayada, and LHC Group** — home health agencies with DC and DMV operations - **DC Department of Corrections** — LPN openings at DC Jail and correctional facilities