The short answer: you need an active state LPN license (via NCLEX-PN) and current BLS. Everything else is optional. But the optional certifications are where the real differentiation happens in LPN hiring, because they expand your scope of practice — and in a role where scope varies wildly by state, a certification that lets you do more is worth more than another year of experience doing the same thing.
Required: the non-negotiables
State LPN license (NCLEX-PN)
This is the gate. You cannot work as an LPN without passing the NCLEX-PN and holding an active license from your state’s board of nursing. The exam is administered by Pearson VUE, costs around $200, and covers pharmacology, patient safety, clinical decision-making, and care coordination. You need to have completed a state-approved LPN program (12–18 months at a community college or technical school) before you can sit for it.
On your resume, list it as: Licensed Practical Nurse — [State] Board of Nursing — exp. [date]. Do not include your license number.
BLS (Basic Life Support)
Almost every employer requires current BLS certification from the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross. Expired BLS is a fast disqualifier — many facilities won’t even schedule your interview without it. Renew before it lapses, not after.
LPN vs. LVN: the naming question
Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) is the title used in Texas and California only. The credential is identical to LPN in every other state — same training, same exam (NCLEX-PN), same scope of practice. If you’re applying within Texas or California, use LVN on your resume. Everywhere else, use LPN. If you hold a license in a LVN state and are applying elsewhere, use LPN.
Optional certifications that move the needle
IV Therapy Certification
This is the single biggest scope-of-practice expander available to an LPN. In states that allow LPN IV access (Georgia, Florida, Texas, and many others), completing an approved IV therapy training course authorizes you to start peripheral IVs, monitor IV infusions, and in some states administer certain IV medications. For hospital LPN roles, this is close to essential. For SNF roles, it’s a strong differentiator. It often comes with a $1–$3/hr pay bump.
Wound Care Certification (WCC or similar)
Wound care is a core LPN responsibility in SNFs, and a Wound Care Certified (WCC) credential from the National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy signals you can handle pressure ulcer staging, wound vac management, and complex dressing changes independently. In facilities with large wound-care caseloads, this certification can make you the go-to LPN on the unit — which matters for both job security and advancement.
Gerontological Nursing Certification
Offered through NAPNES (National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Service) and other bodies, this signals specialized knowledge in geriatric care. Since the majority of LPNs work in SNFs and long-term care, it’s directly relevant. It’s not as impactful as IV therapy or wound care, but it’s a signal of professional development that DONs notice.
Phlebotomy Certification
Particularly valuable in physician offices and outpatient settings where LPNs perform blood draws. ASCP or NHA phlebotomy certification means fewer external lab sends and faster results — a real productivity gain for the practice.
Medication Aide Certification
In some states, there’s a separate medication aide credential that expanded-scope CNAs hold. For LPNs, this is usually redundant since medication administration is already within LPN scope. But if you’re in a state with very restricted LPN scope (oral medications only), a medication aide add-on can signal broader capability.
State scope-of-practice variation: the money section
This is what makes LPN certification decisions different from every other healthcare role. Your scope of practice — what you’re legally authorized to do — varies significantly by state. Here’s a simplified overview:
| Task | Broad-scope states | Restricted states |
|---|---|---|
| Oral medication admin | All states | All states |
| IM/SQ injections | All states | All states |
| IV therapy (start/monitor) | GA, FL, TX, MO, OH, many others (with cert) | NY, PA, some New England states |
| IV medication admin | Some (GA, TX with restrictions) | Most states |
| Wound care / dressing changes | Most states (per RN care plan) | Some restrict to simple dressings |
| Initial patient assessment | Some states allow focused assessments | Most restrict to data collection only |
| Tracheostomy suctioning | Many states (with training) | Some prohibit without RN direct supervision |
Always check your state board of nursing website for the current scope-of-practice rules. This table is a general guide — individual states update their nurse practice acts periodically, and some tasks require additional facility-level authorization on top of state authorization.
The practical takeaway: if you’re in a broad-scope state, get the certifications that match your state’s expanded scope (IV therapy, wound care). If you’re in a restricted state, the certifications that matter most are the ones that demonstrate depth within your existing scope (wound care, gerontological nursing, phlebotomy).
How to list certifications on your LPN resume
Put them in a Licenses & Certifications section at the top of your resume, before your summary and experience. Order them: LPN license first, then BLS, then any additional certifications in order of relevance to the role you’re applying for. Include the issuing body and expiration date. Never include your license or certification number — hiring managers verify through the state board directly.
Frequently asked questions
Is NCLEX-PN the only exam LPNs need to pass?
NCLEX-PN is the only licensure exam. It’s the gate to practicing as an LPN anywhere in the United States. But many employers also require current BLS, and some states require additional training for specific tasks like IV therapy. The NCLEX-PN gets you the license; additional certifications expand what you’re authorized to do.
Can LPNs start IVs?
It depends entirely on the state. Some states (like Georgia, Florida, and Texas) allow LPNs to start peripheral IVs, monitor IV infusions, and in some cases administer IV medications — but only after completing an approved IV therapy training course. Other states prohibit LPN IV access entirely. Always check your state board of nursing’s scope-of-practice rules.
Is the LPN and LVN certification the same?
Yes. LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) and LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse) are the same credential. LVN is only used in Texas and California. Every other state uses LPN. The training, exam, and scope of practice are identical — only the title differs.
Which optional LPN certification has the biggest impact on pay?
IV therapy certification, in states that allow LPN IV access. It’s the single biggest scope-of-practice expander available to an LPN and often comes with a $1–$3/hr pay bump, especially in hospital settings. Wound care certification (WCC) is a close second, particularly in SNFs.