How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Georgia

Georgia map

Candidates who wish to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the state of Georgia will first need to attend an accredited Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) training program that has been approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing.

Candidates are required to attend, at least, one year of training, as well as hands-on training, in order to qualify for the NCLEX-PN exam.

Courses range between 12 and 18 months for either a certificate program or an Associate degree program.

5 Licensed Practical Nurse Schools in Georgia

The following schools in Georgia offer an accredited LPN diploma or certificate course.

1. Chattahoochee Technical College

Chattahoochee Technical College Logo

The school is located in Marietta, Georgia, and offers an accredited licensed practical nurse diploma course which is 57 credit hours.

The course runs for a duration of three semesters and is offered each year.

The aim of the school is to provide superior service, and thus, only 24 to 30 students are accepted onto the course each year.

The course prepares students to think critically and use sound clinical judgment in their day-to-day working environment while offering holistic nursing care.

Course material promotes:

  • Effective therapeutic communication techniques
  • Development of sound nursing judgment
  • Technical skills
  • Critical thinking skills

Upon successful completion of the course, students are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensing Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).

Tuition is $100 per credit hour for in-state students, $200 per credit hour for out-of-state students, and $400 per credit hour for international students.

2. Southeastern Technical College

Southeastern Technical College Logo

The school has two locations that offer the LPN course, on Swainsboro and Vidalia campuses, and the courses start in the spring and fall each year.

The diploma course is offered over three semesters and classes run during the day and during the week.

Students require a minimum of 60 credit hours in order to complete this course.

Course material is carefully considered and combines theory and hands-on training in order to assist students to acquire the necessary knowledge to perform in this field.

Tuition and fees for the course are $7,755 and do not include fees for books, supplies, uniform, etc.

3. Georgia Piedmont College

Georgia Piedmont College Logo

The school offers a diploma course in LPN and students require a minimum of 57 credit hours in order to successfully complete the course.

Students are prepared for real-life situations through planned clinical, hands-on experience.

In addition, there are five prerequisite courses that must be completed with a minimum average grade of C in order to proceed onto this course.

The school has a competitive admission process for this course and admissions are held twice a year in the fall and spring.

Upon successful completion of the course, students are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensing Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).

Tuition is $100 per credit hour for in-state students, $200 per credit hour for out-of-state students, and $400 per credit hour for international students.

4. Augusta Technical College

Augusta Technical College Logo

Augusta Tech offers a diploma course in LPN with competitive entry criteria.

This course is offered as a day program and runs over 18 months with a minimum of 57 credits required to successfully complete the course.

The school has three locations that offer this course during the fall and including Augusta, Thomson, and Waynesboro.

The program is comprised of theory, lab work, and clinical sessions.

Tuition and fees per credit hour are $531.

5. Lanier Technical College

Lanier Technical College Logo

Lanier Tech offers a practical nurse diploma course that runs over 12 months in three consecutive semesters at two of its locations: Hall and Forsyth. Students require 57 credit hours to complete the course.

This is a full-time day program and students are prepared for a career as licensed practical nurses through a combination of theory, lab work, and clinical experience.

The program materials include courses in subjects such as maternity nursing and nursing leadership, nursing fundamentals, medical-surgical, human anatomy, and medical terminology.

Tuition for this course amounts to $100 per credit hour for in-state students, excluding additional fees.

Licensed Practical Nurse Schools in Georgia – Summary Table

Top 5 Schools in Georgia

School NameAddress
Chattahoochee Technical College980 S Cobb Dr SE, Marietta, GA 30060
Southeastern Technical College3001 E 1st St, Vidalia, GA 30474
Georgia Piedmont College495 N Indian Creek Dr, Clarkston, GA 30021
Augusta Technical College3200 Augusta Tech Dr, Augusta, GA 30906
Lanier Technical College2535 Lanier Tech Dr, Gainesville, GA 30507

Salary

The average salary for this position in the state of Georgia may differ slightly, depending on the facility that you are employed at, your current level of experience, and the type of program that you graduated from.

On average, candidates may expect an entry-level salary of $40,358.

Candidates with some experience in the field may expect a median salary of $48,962 and, on the high end, a salary of $59,471.

Annual Salary Range:
$44K
$48K
$54K

Average Salary of Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)s in Georgia

City NameSalary
Atlanta$50,060
Augusta-Richmond County$47,358
Columbus$46,026
Savannah$47,553
Athens-Clarke County$49,706
Macon$47,218
Roswell$49,871
Albany$46,519
Marietta$49,918
Valdosta$45,597
* Salary information last updated 2024

Regional Salary in Georgia

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Albany, GA390$53,660$25.8$70,480$40,890
Athens-Clarke County, GA520$54,170$26.04$64,900$43,900
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA11,440$58,130$27.95$71,770$47,840
Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC1,460$55,600$26.73$69,350$45,130
Brunswick, GA240$50,650$24.35$59,500$39,800
Columbus, GA-AL720$50,710$24.38$58,760$41,320
Dalton, GA270$50,050$24.06$57,990$40,200
Gainesville, GA440$54,820$26.36$65,690$37,790
Hinesville, GA150$49,060$23.59$58,640$40,510
Macon, GA790$53,500$25.72$63,430$42,000
Rome, GA400$53,540$25.74$62,200$37,500
Savannah, GA850$54,640$26.27$62,730$45,770
Valdosta, GA470$48,720$23.42$58,550$38,250
Warner Robins, GA390$49,950$24.01$59,480$40,150
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, OCC Code 29-2061, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do you need to renew your licensed practical nurse license in the state of Georgia?

You will need to renew your license once every two years.

Why is the NCLEX-PN Pass Rate an important factor when choosing a school?

Many employers keep an eye out for posted NCLEX-PN Pass Rates when they recruit candidates.

Selecting a school with a high pass rate means that you will be better equipped for real-life situations and that you probably stand a better chance of being recruited in this state.

Is there an accelerated course in Georgia for the LPN course?

There is a 7-month accelerated course that you could attend.

However, most students complete the course in one to two years.

It depends on how many credits the student can do at a time.

What is the highest paying LPN job in Georgia?

The highest paying job is a Rehabilitation LPN (Tie).

These candidates earn an annual salary of $50,000.

These LPNs work under the direct supervision of registered nurses as well as physicians.

How many clinical hours do you need for LPN in Georgia?

Candidates require 160 hours of a clinical study for licensure in the state of Georgia.

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