How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Washington

Washington map

Individuals who want to begin a career in the fast-growing medical field may consider becoming a licensed practical nurse.

There is a high demand in all states for these professionals.

Find out more about the requirements and educational opportunities for those who want to achieve this certificate in the state of Washington.

5 Licensed Practical Nurse Schools in Washington

There are many schools and training programs open for enrollment that provide the skills and insight necessary to obtain an LPN certificate.

Learn more about the top five options for training and education for those who want to become licensed practical nurses in Washington.

Columbia Basin College: Nursing Department

Columbia Basin College Logo

This program is designed to provide a comprehensive education for those individuals pursuing a career as an LPN.

This is a hybrid course with online instruction during the week and lab in-person on the weekends.

The cost for one year of attending the school is $3,445.

The location of the college campus is 891 Northgate Drive, Richland, WA 99352.

The phone number for admissions is 509-547-0511.

University of Washington School of Nursing

University of Washington School of Nursing Logo

This specialized school course provides all the hands-on experience necessary to begin working as an LPN.

The school course lasts a semester and costs $4,026 per quarter.

The location of the campus is Magnuson Health Sciences Center T, Seattle, WA 98195.

The phone number for the admissions office is 206-543-8736.

Bates Technical College

Bates Technical College Logo

This hands-on program will provide students with the skills they need to become successful LPNs in Washington.

This is a hands-on, comprehensive course that consists of textbook and lab training on the premises.

The cost of tuition is $6,628 per year.

The location of the campus is s Yakima Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98405.

The phone number for admissions is 253-680-7000.

WSU, the College of Nursing

WSU, the College of Nursing Logo

This program is specifically designed to provide students with the Hands-On training and education they need to obtain their LPN in the state of Washington.

This one-year program has both textbook and lab training home locations.

The cost for $17,234 per year.

The location of the campus is 200 University Parkway, Yakima, WA 98901.

The phone number for the admissions offices is 509–494–7900.

Lake Washington Institute of Technology

Lake Washington Institute of Technology Logo

This comprehensive one-year course provides training for those who want to become an LPN in Washington.

The cost of tuition is $7,625 per year.

The school’s campus is located at 11605 132nd Avenue, Kirkland, Washington 98034.

The phone number for the admissions office is 425-407-5986.

Licensed Practical Nurse Schools in Washington – Summary Table

Top 5 Schools in Washington

School NameAddress
Columbia Basin College: Nursing Department2710 Crimson Way, Richland, WA
University of Washington School of NursingMagnuson Health Sciences Center T Seattle, WA 98195
Bates Technical CollegeS Yakima Ave, Tacoma, WA 98405
WSU, the College of Nursing103 E Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane, WA 99202
Lake Washington Institute of Technology11605 132nd Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98034

Salary for an LPN in Washington

The average salary for an LPN in Washington is $50,609 annually.

However, this figure can be well over 55,000 per year, depending on training, skills, and location.

Annual Salary Range:
$49K
$54K
$60K

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

City NameSalary
Seattle$55,334
Spokane$48,785
Tacoma$53,665
Vancouver$52,405
Bellevue$55,334
Everett$54,150
Federal Way$53,665
Kent$53,557
Yakima$50,089
Bellingham$51,670
* Salary information last updated 2024

Regional Salary in Washington

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Bellingham, WA130$70,450$33.87$91,580$52,000
Bremerton-Silverdale, WA190$74,230$35.69$87,950$60,020
Kennewick-Richland, WA210$74,670$35.9$93,620$55,280
Longview, WA120$72,810$35.01$94,240$59,720
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA120$75,910$36.5$91,870$54,120
Olympia-Tumwater, WA250$72,500$34.86$81,510$59,090
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA3,400$78,460$37.72$94,890$62,210
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA590$70,720$34$83,210$54,440
Walla Walla, WA70$69,080$33.21$81,890$51,340
Wenatchee, WA100$67,330$32.37$90,290$52,850
Yakima, WA220$71,410$34.33$90,020$55,870
* 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

Can an individual with an LPN certification become an RN?

Individuals who wish to pursue further credentials as an RN May begin continuing education classes to fulfill the educational requirements for the 2-year are in degree.

Once the individual has completed their training, they will be required to successfully pass the NCLEX National exam.

Once the individual successfully completes all of their training and passes the exam, their information is entered into a national database which is accessible to all employers requiring the services of an RN.

Can an individual have felonies in their background check and still become an LPN?

Individuals wishing to become an LPN must undergo a comprehensive background check by a third party, which is usually ordered by the institution or training program.

The primary goal of the third-party background check is to find any potential disqualifying events such as a felony in the candidate’s background.

Individuals with felonies on their background check may not enroll in training classes to become an LPN in Washington.

Is an LPN required to take the national certification exam?

An LPN must complete their training courses successfully in order to register for the national LPN certification exam.

Once the individual passes the exam, their information is interred into a national database.

Prospective employers can access this information at any point to ensure their credentials are in order.

Can an LPN provide patient care services without the direct supervision of an RN or a doctor?

LPNs May provide basic patient care, diagnostic services, and wound treatment in addition to many other services.

However, the LPN must have direction and work under the supervision of an RN or a doctor.

How long does it take to become an LPN in the state of Washington?

The length of time it takes to become an LPN varies depending on the person, educational requirements, and location.

However, those who decide to enroll in an LPN course must first fulfill prerequisites.

First, the individual must be at least 18 years of age and possess a high school diploma or GED.

Before entering into their training programs, the institution or college will require them to pass a national background check performed by a third party.

Once all of those prerequisites are completed, they may continue their training which takes anywhere from 9 months to 18 months, depending on the school and the individual.

Once students successfully pass their courses, they may take the national certification exam to achieve the designation of a licensed practical nurse.

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