California LPN Certification (CA)

California LPN Certification Prerequisites

Applicants to California LPN programs are often required to hold a current license as a certified nurse assistant (CNA). Typically, LPN programs require applicants to possess a high school diploma or the equivalent. Many LPN programs have specific course prerequisites, such as nutrition, biology, and college-level English.

Required hours for California LPN Certification

In California, the licensed practical nursing education requirement is satisfied by completing a California LPN training program. Typically, LPN certificate courses are offered by a community college or vocational school. This program must be approved by the California Nursing Board. Upon course completion, the student is eligible to take the LPN licensing exam. Most LPN programs take 8 to 12 months (1 year) to complete, though 2 year LPN programs are also offered.

You should contact your educational institution of choice to learn more about the individual school's specific program application process, classroom course work & credit requirements. While preparing for the NCLEX-PN exam, students pursue both classroom course work and supervised clinical practice. LPN class subjects include biology, physiology, first aid, anatomy, nutrition, chemistry, obstetrics, and pediatrics. This website contains an ever-growing number of free online resources for finding an accredited LPN program in California

.

California LPN Certification Requirements

LPN students need a high school diploma or GED. You will also need to complete the required prep courses for California LPN Certification, as well as a criminal background check. The last yet most critical of the LPN requirements is having to pass the LPN Entrance Exam. This is commonly refered to as the NCLEX-PN exam.

Additionally, the majority of states require that LPNs meet several physical strength and health requirements. Among these LPN requirements are:

• Ability to lift heavy weights (70 pounds or more)
• Pulling and pushing of emergency carts and stretchers in routine shift of 8 hours or more.
• The use of hands and shoulders to fill in insurance forms, entry forms and to reach to high up places to replace IVs and other appliances
• Repeated standing, walking, squatting and running in the normal 8 hours shifts required for a normal LPN schedule
• Operating and shifting heavy medical equipment like mobile X-rays devices, sonograph machines, IV stands, radiation shields, etc
• Near perfect vision to be able to read fine prints on medication bottles and history charts
• Carrying of incapacitated patients up to 45 pounds in weight
• Helping patients to replace or attach new prostheses and carrying such prostheses for patients who cannot do so themselves

California LPN Certification Resources

• California Board of Registered Nursing
• California Dept. of Public Health
• El Camino College - California LPN Programs