If you are a resident of the state of Kentucky and aspire to be a nurse, training to become a licensed practical nurse, or LPN, is a great first step. Becoming licensed to work as one of these entry-level health care professionals can be done within 12 to 18 months in most cases, and it gives you access to a wide array of jobs with competitive pay.
Licensing for all LPNs in the state is handled by the Kentucky Board of Nursing, which requires applicants to complete a state-approved program and to complete and pass the NCLEX-PN licensing exam. There are other requirements too, and it pays to be aware of them.
Read on to learn more about becoming an LPN in Kentucky. Since the first step is completing an approved training program, we've included a list of the most popular and reputable programs in the state for your convenience.
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Top LPN Programs in Kentucky
If you are looking for LPN training programs in Kentucky, make sure to only consider ones that you can confirm have been approved by the Kentucky Board of Nursing. Additionally, ask for the school's NCLEX pass rates to find out how well they prepare students for the test. Try to select a program with a rate of 95 percent or higher.
To help you get started, here's a list of today's most popular and reputable LPN programs in Kentucky:
Ashland Community & Technical College
1400 College Drive, Ashland, KY 41101 (606) 326-2000ATA College
10200 Linn Station Rd, Louisville, KY 40223 (502) 412-4028Beckfield College
16 Spiral Dr, Florence, KY 41042 (859) 371-9393Big Sandy Community & Technical College
1 Bert Combs Dr, Prestonsburg, KY 41653 (606) 886-3863Bluegrass Community & Technical College
59 Corporate Dr, Danville, KY 40422 (859) 239-7030Bluegrass Community & Technical College
470 Cooper Dr, Lexington, KY 40502 (855) 246-2477Galen College of Nursing
1031 Zorn Ave #400, Louisville, KY 40207 (502) 410-6200Hopkinsville Community College
720 North Dr, Hopkinsville, KY 42240 (270) 707-3700Jefferson Community and Technical College
109 E Broadway, Louisville, KY 40202 (502) 213-5333Madisonville Community College
750 Laffoon St, Madisonville, KY 42431 (270) 824-7552Maysville Community & Technical College
1755 U.S. 68 Business, Maysville, KY 41056 (606) 759-7141Maysville Community & Technical College
609 Viking Dr, Morehead, KY 40351 (606) 783-1538Maysville Community & Technical College
201 Calk Ave, Mt Sterling, KY 40353 (859) 499-6282Somerset Community College
808 Monticello St, Somerset, KY 42501 (606) 679-8501Somerset Community College - Laurel Campus
100 University Dr, London, KY 40741 (606) 877-1421Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College
1845 Loop Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101 (270) 901-1000Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College
129 State Ave, Glasgow, KY 42141 (270) 901-1200Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College
700 College Rd, Cumberland, KY 40823 (606) 589-2145Sullivan University
3101 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40205 (502) 456-6505West Kentucky Community & Technical College
4810 Alben Barkley Dr, Paducah, KY 42001 (270) 554-9200
Neighboring States: Illinois | Indiana | Missouri | Ohio | Tennessee | Virginia | West Virginia
LPN Licensing Requirements in Kentucky
Get up to speed about Kentucky's licensing requirements for LPNs to ensure that you know how to proceed as efficiently as possible. The top requirements include:
- Complete a state-approved LPN training program, which typically takes 12 to 18 months
- Submit your application to the Kentucky Board of Nursing along with proof of your NCLEX-PN exam registration; official transcripts from your training program; proof of passing the Kentucky jurisprudence exam; and a fingerprint card so that a background check can be performed
- Take and pass the NCLEX-PN licensing exam, which is administered on dates throughout the year at testing sites across the state of Kentucky.
Because Kentucky is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, or NLC, LPNs from other participating states can more easily transfer their valid LPN licenses. If you belong to a non-participating state, contact the Board of Nursing to find out about transfer through endorsement.
You should also take note of the expiration date of your LPN license when it is issued, and be prepared to renew it in a timely manner.
Kentucky Board of Nursing
When you apply to become an LPN in Kentucky, you must submit your application to the Kentucky Board of Nursing. Similarly, whenever you need to renew your license or otherwise handle business involving licensure, you will contact this agency. Contact information is as follows:
Kentucky Board of Nursing
312 Whittington Pkwy #300, Louisville, KY 40222
Phone: (502) 429-3300
Fax: (502) 429-3311
LPN Salary & Employment Outlook in Kentucky
Although it is faster and less expensive to become an LPN than to become an RN, it still requires a lot of work, effort and expense. You'll definitely want to be sure that you will be able to find work after completing the process, and you'd probably like to know how much you can expect to earn.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, LPNs in Kentucky earn a mean wage of $49,210 per year, which is equal to $23.66 per hour. On the national level, LPNs earn a median salary of $54,620 per year, which is equal to $26.26 per hour.
Kentucky is projected to experience one of the biggest booms in the LPN field between 2014 and 2024, with the field growing by around 27 percent. Nationally, the growth rate for the LPN field is 16 percent, so Kentucky is among the best places for LPNs to find jobs now and in the years to come. This increase means that around 475 new LPN jobs will be added around the state over that 10-year period.
LPN Salaries in Kentucky By Area
You may have access to LPN jobs that pay more or that pay less depending on where you are located in the Bluegrass State. As you will see from the list below, the difference in pay between the top area and the bottom one is pretty large, so it may be worth it to relocate if you're able to.
| Area | Total Employments | Avg. Hourly Wage | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County | 3,420 | $25.32 | $52,670 |
| Lexington-Fayette | 1,240 | $24.21 | $50,360 |
| Owensboro | 260 | $24.07 | $50,070 |
| Elizabethtown-Fort Knox | 190 | $23.92 | $49,760 |
| Bowling Green | 300 | $22.96 | $47,760 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2022
That's all there is to it! Within 12 to 18 months, you can be ready to start applying for LPN jobs, so enroll in a training program today.
