LPN license requirements in Georgia (2026)
Becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse in Georgia is one of the fastest routes into licensed nursing, typically around 12 months of school, an NCLEX-PN exam, and an application through the Georgia Board of Nursing. Once you have your LPN license, you can work in nursing homes, hospitals, clinics, home health, and more, full-time, part-time, or per-diem. Here’s exactly what the path looks like, from school to your first shift.
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Who regulates LPN licensing in Georgia?
LPN licensure in Georgia is handled by the Georgia Board of Nursing, which operates under the Secretary of State’s Professional Licensing Boards Division. The Board approves nursing education programs, processes license applications, oversees NCLEX eligibility, handles endorsements and renewals, and manages reinstatements and disciplinary matters.
All applications are submitted through the GOALS portal (Georgia Online Licensing System) at sos.ga.gov. Paper applications are no longer accepted for initial licensure or renewal, everything goes through the online system.
| Body | Role in LPN licensing |
|---|---|
| Georgia Board of Nursing | Issues licenses; approves programs; oversees NCLEX eligibility, renewal, endorsement, reinstatement, and discipline |
| GOALS Portal (sos.ga.gov) | Online application system for initial licensure, endorsement, and renewal, only pathway accepted |
| Pearson VUE | Administers the NCLEX-PN licensing exam at test centers nationally and internationally |
| GAPS / Idemia | Fingerprint-based background check vendor, register the same day you submit your GOALS application |
| Nursys | NCSBN’s national license verification tool, used to verify current and original licensure for endorsement applicants; compact license management |
Step-by-step: how to become an LPN in Georgia
Complete a Georgia Board-approved practical nursing program
LPN programs in Georgia are offered through technical colleges, community colleges, and some private career schools. A typical program runs 12–18 months and covers anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, fundamentals of nursing, medical-surgical nursing, pediatrics, maternal/child nursing, mental health, and clinical skills. Choosing a Board-approved program is essential before enrolling.
Apply for Georgia LPN licensure through GOALS
Once you’re nearing graduation, start your licensure application in the GOALS portal at sos.ga.gov. Create an account, select “Licensure by Examination” for LPN, and complete all required fields. You’ll need official transcripts sent directly from your school, proof of lawful U.S. presence, and other required documentation.
Complete fingerprint-based background check through GAPS/Idemia
Register with GAPS/Idemia for fingerprinting on the same day you submit your GOALS application. You’ll receive an email from GAPS with fingerprinting instructions. Background check results are sent to the Georgia DCH Office of Inspector General for review.
Register for and pass the NCLEX-PN
Once the Board determines you’re eligible, you’ll receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) from Pearson VUE. Schedule your NCLEX-PN promptly because the ATT has a limited validity window. Georgia requires applicants to pass the NCLEX-PN within three years of graduation from their U.S.-accredited program.
Receive your Georgia LPN license and verify it
Once you pass NCLEX-PN and all documentation is approved by the Board, your Georgia LPN license is issued. Verify your active status through the Georgia Secretary of State’s license verification tool before accepting any shift or employment offer.
How long does it take and what does it cost?
| Stage | Typical timeline | Cost range |
|---|---|---|
| Practical nursing program (tuition) | 12–18 months | $5,000–$20,000+ (TCSG programs most affordable; $5k–$10k range common) |
| Books and clinical supplies | During program | $300–$800 |
| Uniforms and equipment | Before clinicals start | $100–$300 |
| Background check / fingerprinting | Parallel to application | $50–$80 (GAPS/Idemia) |
| NCLEX-PN exam fee | After graduation | $200 (Pearson VUE) |
| Georgia Board application fee | At GOALS submission | ~$40–$75 (verify current fee at sos.ga.gov) |
| CPR/BLS certification | Before or during program | $50–$120 |
| Conservative total | 14–22 months overall | ~$5,800–$22,000 |
Can you get help paying for LPN school?
Yes, and for many candidates, significant funding is available. FAFSA is your starting point for federal aid including Pell Grants, which can cover much or all of TCSG-level tuition. Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship and GED HOPE Grant provide additional state-level funding for eligible students. Many healthcare employers, hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies, offer tuition assistance or employer-sponsored LPN training in exchange for a post-graduation work commitment. Workforce development programs through Georgia’s TCSG and federal HPOG grants also fund LPN training for eligible candidates. Ask potential employers about tuition assistance before paying out of pocket.
The NCLEX-PN, What it actually tests
The NCLEX-PN is a computer-adaptive exam that adjusts question difficulty based on your answers. It tests clinical judgment and application, not just memorization. Questions present clinical scenarios and ask you to prioritize, identify safety risks, or determine the right course of action.
| Content area | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Safe and effective care environment | Coordinated care, safety and infection control, standard precautions |
| Health promotion and maintenance | Prevention, lifestyle, growth and development, health screening |
| Psychosocial integrity | Coping, mental health, therapeutic communication, crisis support |
| Physiological integrity, Basic care | ADL assistance, non-pharmacological comfort measures, mobility |
| Physiological integrity, Pharmacology | Medication safety, expected effects, adverse reactions, routes |
| Physiological integrity, Risk reduction | Error prevention, vital signs, specimen collection, diagnostic tests |
| Physiological integrity, Adaptation | Medical emergencies, responding to complications, monitoring patient changes |
The NCLEX-PN, What it actually tests
It’s challenging, but manageable with focused preparation. The most common mistake candidates make is studying for knowledge rather than clinical judgment. NCLEX questions rarely ask “what is the definition of X”, they ask “the patient presents with X and Y, what do you do first?” Prioritization, safety, and knowing when to escalate to the RN or physician are central. Work through as many practice questions as possible in the weeks before your exam, and pay specific attention to pharmacology and infection control, which are heavily weighted.
What LPNs do in Georgia
LPNs in Georgia provide hands-on nursing care under the supervision of RNs and physicians. The exact scope of what you do each day varies significantly by setting, an LPN in a nursing home has a somewhat different daily role than one in a physician’s office or a hospital. But the core responsibilities are consistent.
✓ Within LPN scope in Georgia
- Administering medications within licensed scope
- Taking and recording vital signs
- Providing wound care and dressing changes
- Collecting patient data and observations
- Monitoring patients and reporting changes to RN/physician
- Inserting urinary catheters (with proper training)
- Assisting with treatments ordered by providers
- Patient education and discharge instruction support
- Documenting care and communicating with the healthcare team
✕ Generally outside LPN scope
- Initial nursing assessment and care plan development (RN responsibility)
- IV push medications in most settings
- Supervising RNs or making independent clinical judgments
- Tasks requiring advanced practice credentials
- Procedures outside their training and employer-specific policies
LPN scope of practice in Georgia is defined by state law, employer policies, and the specific care setting. What’s appropriate at a long-term care facility may differ from a hospital unit. When in doubt, confirm with your supervising RN or nurse manager before performing any task, practicing outside your scope is a licensing risk.
What Georgia LPNs earn
LPN pay in Georgia runs slightly below the national median, but cost of living adjusts the gap. BLS data puts the median Georgia LPN salary at $47,370 per year ($22.77/hr). The Atlanta metro and Sandy Springs area pays higher, around $51,200–$55,000 depending on the setting and source. Per-diem and travel LPN work typically pays the highest rates.
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2024, Incredible Health, Salary.com, ZipRecruiter (July 2026)
LPN salary and job outlook in Florida (2026)
Salary Disclaimer: Salary estimates are based on publicly available wage data, employer job postings, and labor market information. Actual earnings vary by employer, geographic location, specialty, shift differentials, overtime opportunities, certifications, and experience level.
Renewing your Georgia LPN license
Georgia LPN licenses renew every two years. The renewal deadline is March 31 of odd-numbered years, 2025, 2027, 2029, and so on. Renewal is completed online through the GOALS portal. If you miss the March 31 deadline, there’s a late renewal window through April 30 of the same year. After April 30, your license expires and you cannot legally practice until it’s reinstated.
Georgia requires 20 CE hours per renewal cycle for LPNs, but does not mandate specific topic areas the way some states do (like Florida’s medical errors requirement or Michigan’s implicit bias mandate). That said, your CE must come from a Board-approved provider. CE Broker is useful for tracking your completion, and the Board uses it for audits. Keep your certificates for a minimum of 4 years regardless.
Transferring an LPN license to Georgia (endorsement)
If you’re already licensed as an LPN in another state, Georgia offers licensure by endorsement, you don’t need to retake the NCLEX-PN as long as you meet current requirements.
Coming from Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, or another southeastern compact state? If Georgia is your primary state of residence, you may qualify for a Georgia multistate license directly rather than going through the endorsement process. Contact the Georgia Board of Nursing to confirm which pathway applies to your situation.
Is Georgia part of the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Yes. Georgia joined the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) on July 1, 2020. This means Georgia LPNs who meet uniform licensure requirements can hold a multistate license valid in all 43+ NLC compact jurisdictions, without applying separately in each state.
CNA vs LPN in Georgia, the key differences
LPN vs RN in Georgia, what’s different?
Transferring an LPN license to Georgia (endorsement)
Absolutely, and it’s one of the most common career moves in Georgia nursing. LPN-to-RN bridge programs at TCSG schools and community colleges give LPNs credit for their existing training and clinical hours, significantly shortening the ADN program timeline. Graduates then take the NCLEX-RN and apply for Georgia RN licensure. Most major Georgia hospital systems, Emory, Wellstar, Piedmont, offer tuition reimbursement for staff LPNs pursuing RN education.
Where LPNs work in Georgia
What to have ready before your first LPN shift
Georgia LPN shift-ready checklist
Licensed in Georgia? Start finding LPN shifts.
Once your Georgia LPN license is active and credentialing is complete through MyShyft, you can start picking up shifts across skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and other settings, without waiting for a full-time job to open up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Licensing Information Disclaimer: Licensing requirements, fees, examination details, renewal standards, and Nurse Licensure Compact participation may change over time. While we strive to keep this information current and accurate, MyShyft does not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information provided. Always verify licensing requirements directly with the Florida Board of Nursing before making educational, licensing, employment, or relocation decisions. Reliance on information contained on this page is at the reader’s own risk.