Independent program data. Not affiliated with any school.Texas nursing data checked Nov. 4, 2026 · How we source every number

How to become an LVN in Texas

Finish a Board-approved vocational nursing program (usually about a year), pass the Texas Nursing Jurisprudence Exam and the NCLEX-PN, and get licensed by the Texas Board of Nursing. At community colleges the program typically costs about $10,205.

Updated November 5, 2026. Figures come from each school's published estimates and the Texas Board of Nursing. How we get our numbers

1. Choose a Board-approved program

Only graduates of programs approved by the Texas Board of Nursing can take the licensing exam. There are 83 approved LVN programs in Texas; 41 publish a cost, from $3,330 to $38,414. Most run about 12 months full time; some colleges offer evening, weekend or part-time tracks that take longer.

Compare them all in LVN programs in Texas, or see the cheapest and highest pass-rate programs.

2. Meet the admission requirements

Requirements vary by school, but most ask for:

  • A high school diploma or equivalent.
  • An entrance exam, usually the ATI TEAS or HESI A2, with a minimum score.
  • Prerequisite courses at some schools, such as anatomy and physiology.
  • A criminal background check, drug screen, immunizations and CPR certification.

Each program page on this site lists that school's own requirements where it publishes them.

3. Finish the program

You'll take classroom courses and supervised clinical rotations in hospitals, nursing homes and clinics. When you graduate, your school confirms it to the Board of Nursing.

4. Apply for your license and take the NCLEX-PN

The Texas Board of Nursing's steps for licensure by exam are:

  1. Submit the NCLEX-PN application in the Texas Nurse Portal and pay the $75 fee (it includes the jurisprudence exam).
  2. Get fingerprinted for a criminal background check ($41.95 through IdentoGO).
  3. Pass the Nursing Jurisprudence Exam, a 2-hour test on Texas nursing law and rules.
  4. Register with Pearson VUE for the NCLEX-PN ($200; $350 for registrations on or after February 1, 2027).
  5. Once the Board issues your Authorization to Test, schedule and pass the NCLEX-PN. In 2025, 91.9% of Texas first-time test takers passed.

What LVNs earn in Texas

The median LVN wage ranges from about $56,250 to $64,580 a year across Texas areas, from federal (BLS) data. Each area page shows local pay.

Next step: LVN to RN

Many LVNs later become registered nurses through LVN-to-RN bridge programs, often while working. See how to become an RN in Texas.