The Virginia LPN license application is the form you file with the Virginia Board of Nursing (VBON) to get your license to work as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the state. Every person who wants to practice as an LPN in Virginia must file it, whether they are a brand-new graduate taking the NCLEX-PN for the first time or a nurse already licensed in another state.
This form decides whether you can legally clock in and care for patients in Virginia. One wrong box, a name that does not match your Social Security card, or a missing transcript can hold up your license for weeks. The VBON tells applicants that complete, fully documented applications take about 30 business days (roughly 6 weeks) to process, and incomplete ones can sit far longer. The current application instructions carry a revision date of 7/1/2023, so make sure the version you use matches that date.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 🩺 What the Virginia LPN application is, who must file it, and which path (exam vs. endorsement) fits you.
- 📋 The exact documents, ID numbers, and fees to gather before you log in.
- ✍️ A line-by-line walkthrough of every field, with sample entries you can copy.
- 👩⚕️ Three full filled-out examples following real filers from start to finish.
- ⚠️ The most common mistakes that delay licenses and how to dodge each one.
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The Virginia LPN license application is the official request you submit to the Virginia Board of Nursing asking the state to grant you a practical nursing license. The Board is the state agency that reviews your record, confirms your education, runs your background check, and issues the license. Without an approved application, you cannot work as an LPN in Virginia, even if you have passed the NCLEX-PN.
There are two main paths, and you must pick the one that matches your situation. The first is Licensure by Examination, which is for people who finished a state-approved practical nursing program and still need to take or recently took the NCLEX-PN. The second is Licensure by Endorsement, which is for nurses already licensed by exam in another U.S. state who now want a Virginia license. Both paths use the same online licensing portal but ask slightly different questions.
The form is required under the Code of Virginia, and the Board sets the rules in 18VAC90-19, the regulations that govern nursing practice. The fingerprint background check is required by Virginia Code § 54.1-3005.1. Filing the wrong application type is one of the most common errors, and it forces you to start over and pay again.
Virginia is also a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). This matters because where you live decides whether you even file in Virginia at all. If your declared permanent home is in another compact state, you must apply there, not in Virginia.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather everything below before you open the application. The portal can time out, and missing one item is the top reason applications stall in review. Here is your pre-filing checklist:
- Your full legal name as it appears on your Social Security card. The Board cross-checks your name, and a mismatch triggers a hold while staff confirm your identity.
- Your Social Security number. Virginia uses it to run your background check; leaving it blank stops the application cold.
- Your date of birth in MM/DD/YYYY format. It must match your government ID, or fingerprint results will not link to your file.
- A current mailing address and email. The Board sends your Fieldprint code and status updates here, so a typo means you never get them.
- Your nursing program name, location, and graduation (or expected graduation) date. The Board must confirm you finished an approved program.
- A credit or debit card for the fee. Online applicants pay $170 for LPN exam or endorsement, and the application is not reviewed until payment posts.
- Your primary state of residence (PSOR). This decides whether you get a multistate or single-state license.
- Out-of-state license details (endorsement only). You need the state, license number, and issue date to request verification.
- Foreign credential evaluation (if educated abroad). Internationally educated nurses need a Board-approved report before the file moves forward.
- Court or disciplinary documents (if you must answer “yes” to a screening question). Missing paperwork here pauses everything.
LPN applicants must also have completed at least 400 direct client care hours across the lifespan, per the VBON application instructions. If you trained outside Virginia, your final transcript must break these hours down by course, or the Board cannot declare you eligible to test.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
Virginia accepts LPN applications exclusively online. There is no general paper form for first-time exam or endorsement applicants; the only paper exceptions are repeat-exam and reinstatement-after-discipline applications. You start by visiting the Apply for License page and selecting “Licensed Practical Nurse.”
The page runs an Application Wizard that asks a few questions, then routes you to the correct application (Exam, Endorsement, or Reinstatement). From there you create an account on the DHP licensing portal. Save your login, because you will return here to check status and find your Fieldprint code.
Use only the official dhp.virginia.gov and license.dhp.virginia.gov sites. Third-party sites sometimes charge fees to “help” you apply, but the Board only accepts applications filed through its own portal. Filing anywhere else wastes your money and never reaches the Board.
If you mistype the portal address or use an outdated bookmark, you may land on an old form. Always confirm the instruction checklist shows the 7/1/2023 revision date so you know you have the current version.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Virginia LPN Application Line by Line
The application moves through clear sections. Below, each field gets its own walkthrough with a sample entry, a common edge case, the mistake to avoid, and the misconception to drop. Work through them in the order the portal presents them.
1. Application Type (Exam vs. Endorsement)
This field asks which kind of license you want: by examination or by endorsement. In plain terms, it wants to know if you are a new graduate who still needs the NCLEX-PN (exam) or a nurse already licensed elsewhere (endorsement). Read both options and click the one that matches your record.
To answer, select the radio button for your path and confirm the fee shows $170 for LPN. Daniela Reyes, a new graduate from a Virginia practical nursing program, selects “Licensure by Examination.” If you pick the wrong type, the system gathers the wrong documents and you may have to withdraw and refile.
A common edge case is the nurse who took the NCLEX in another state but is not yet licensed there. That person usually still files by endorsement once licensed, not by exam. The most common mistake here is an endorsement applicant choosing exam, which then asks them to register for a test they do not need to retake, costing extra fees and time. A frequent misconception is that endorsement means “no background check”; in fact, both paths require fingerprinting.
2. Legal Name
This field asks for your full legal name. The Board wants your first, middle, and last name exactly as they appear on your Social Security card. Do not use nicknames or shortened versions.
Type your name in the order requested and include any suffix like Jr. or III. Daniela enters her name as DANIELA MARIA REYES. If you have a hyphenated last name, include the hyphen exactly as your card shows it.
The edge case many filers hit is a recent name change after marriage or divorce. If your card still shows your old name, use the old name and update it with the Social Security Administration first. The mistake to avoid is entering a married name when your card has your maiden name, because the name mismatch stalls your background check. The misconception to drop is that “close enough” is fine; the Board matches names against federal records, and small differences cause real holds.
3. Social Security Number
This field asks for your Social Security number. The Board uses it to run your fingerprint-based background check and to confirm your identity. It is required for every LPN applicant.
Enter all nine digits with no spaces or guessing. Daniela types her nine-digit SSN exactly as printed on her card. If you are an internationally educated applicant who does not yet have an SSN, follow the portal prompts and contact the Board for guidance.
A common edge case is transposed digits typed in a hurry. The mistake to avoid is leaving this blank or entering a wrong number, because your fingerprint results will not link to your file and the Board cannot proceed. The misconception is that the SSN is optional for privacy reasons; in Virginia, it is required to issue the license.
4. Date of Birth
This field asks for your date of birth. The Board uses it along with your name and SSN to match your background check and confirm you are the person on the ID. Enter it in MM/DD/YYYY format.
Type the month, day, and four-digit year with no dashes if the box auto-formats. A filer born on March 14, 1998, enters 03/14/1998. If the field uses a calendar picker, scroll to the correct year carefully.
The edge case is filers who default to the current decade in the year field. The mistake to avoid is entering the wrong year, which causes your fingerprint record to not match and delays your eligibility. The misconception is that the Board can “fix” small date errors quickly; corrections often require you to email staff and wait.
5. Contact Information (Address, Phone, Email)
This field asks for your mailing address, phone number, and email. The Board uses these to send your application confirmation, your Fieldprint code, and status updates. Accurate contact details keep you informed during the 30-day review.
Enter a current street address, your phone number, and an email you check often. Marcus Bell, an out-of-state LPN moving to Virginia, enters his new Richmond address and personal email. If you have a P.O. Box, you can usually list it as the mailing address, but provide a physical address if the portal asks for residence.
The edge case is applicants mid-move between states. The mistake to avoid is a typo in your email, because you will never receive your Fieldprint code and cannot schedule fingerprinting. The misconception is that the Board mails everything by paper; most updates arrive by email and through your portal account.
6. Primary State of Residence (PSOR)
This field asks you to declare your primary state of residence, meaning your fixed, permanent, principal home for legal purposes. This single answer decides whether you can hold a multistate compact license or only a single-state Virginia license. It is one of the most important fields on the form.
Select the state where you truly live and pay taxes, not where you work. Daniela, who lives in Norfolk, selects Virginia as her PSOR. If your PSOR is another compact state, the portal will tell you to apply there instead, because the NLC requires you to license in your home state.
The edge case is a nurse who lives in a non-compact state but works in Virginia; that person gets a single-state Virginia license. The mistake to avoid is declaring Virginia when you actually live in another compact state, which can void your multistate privilege and trigger compliance problems. The misconception is that PSOR is about your job location; it is about your legal home address.
7. Nursing Education Information
This field asks for your nursing program’s name, location, and your graduation or expected graduation date. The Board uses it to confirm you completed a state-approved practical nursing program with the required clinical hours. Your eligibility to take the NCLEX-PN depends on this.
Enter the exact program name and the date you finished or expect to finish. Daniela enters her Virginia LPN program and her expected graduation date of 06/2026. If your program is in Virginia, ask your program director whether the school sends an Attestation letter directly to the Board in place of a transcript.
The edge case is graduates of out-of-state programs, who must submit a final transcript showing clinical hours broken down by course. The mistake to avoid is requesting a transcript when your Virginia program already sends an Attestation, which creates duplicate paperwork and confusion. The misconception is that you can self-report your hours; the Board only accepts proof sent directly from the school.
8. Out-of-State License and Verification (Endorsement Only)
This field, on the endorsement application, asks for your current license details from another state: the state, license number, and issue date. The Board uses it to verify you hold an active, unencumbered license elsewhere. Exam applicants skip this section.
Enter your license number exactly and request verification. Marcus enters his North Carolina LPN number and uses Nursys to send electronic verification (about a $30 fee). If your original state does not participate in Nursys, you must have that board mail verification directly to Virginia.
The edge case is a nurse with licenses in several states; verify the state where you first passed the NCLEX. The mistake to avoid is forgetting to actually order the verification, since the Board cannot approve endorsement without it. The misconception is that your pocket license card is enough proof; only official board-to-board verification counts.
9. Criminal History and Disciplinary Screening Questions
This section asks a series of yes/no questions about criminal convictions and prior disciplinary action against any professional license. The Board uses your answers, along with your fingerprint results, to judge fitness to practice. Answer every question honestly.
Read each question slowly and answer truthfully, even for old or expunged-seeming matters. A filer with a years-old misdemeanor answers “yes” and prepares to submit court documents. Court papers must be emailed or mailed directly to the DHP CBC unit, not uploaded with the general application.
The edge case is charges that were dismissed; many still must be disclosed, so when unsure, disclose. The mistake to avoid is answering “no” when records show otherwise, because a false answer is itself grounds for denial. The misconception is that a minor record automatically blocks licensure; the Board reviews context, but hiding it is what causes real trouble.
10. Fingerprint-Based Criminal Background Check (CBC)
This step is not a box you type in but a required action triggered by your application. Virginia law requires a fingerprint-based CBC for every LPN applicant. You cannot register for fingerprinting until after you submit your application to the Board.
After you submit, the portal shows a VBON Fieldprint Code at the top of your checklist instructions and on your confirmation receipt. Daniela copies her Fieldprint code and registers at Fieldprint Virginia to schedule fingerprinting. For applicants with no criminal history, results often reach the Board within 24 to 48 hours of fingerprinting.
The edge case is mail applicants (limited situations), who must email the CBC unit to get their Fieldprint code. The mistake to avoid is trying to register for fingerprints before submitting your application, which the system will not allow. The misconception is that you can use any fingerprint vendor; Virginia requires Fieldprint specifically.
11. Fee Payment
This field asks you to pay the application fee. The Board does not review your application until the fee posts, and the fee is non-refundable. For LPN exam or endorsement, the fee is $170.
Pay by credit or debit card in the portal. Marcus pays the $170 endorsement fee with his debit card and saves the receipt. If a card is declined or a check bounces (for the rare paper applicant), a $50 returned-payment handling fee applies under 18VAC90-19-30.
The edge case is applicants whose application sits a year unpaid; after one year an unfinished application expires and you must refile and pay again. The mistake to avoid is assuming your application is “in review” before payment posts, because it is not. The misconception is that the fee is refundable if you change your mind; it never is.
12. NCLEX-PN Registration with Pearson VUE (Exam Only)
This is a separate application, not part of the VBON form, but it is a required step for exam applicants. You must register with Pearson VUE to sit for the NCLEX-PN. Do this immediately after submitting your VBON application.
Register online or call 1-866-496-2539 and pay the NCLEX-PN fee (about $200). Daniela registers with Pearson VUE the same day she files with the Board. Registering right after you file keeps your Authorization to Test (ATT) from being delayed.
The edge case is applicants who wait weeks to register with Pearson VUE; their ATT can stall behind the Board’s review. The mistake to avoid is thinking the VBON fee covers the exam; the $170 Board fee and the Pearson VUE fee are separate. The misconception is that you can schedule a test date before getting your ATT; you cannot.
13. Signature and Attestation
This final field asks you to certify that everything you entered is true and complete. By signing electronically, you swear your answers are accurate under penalty of law. This is the legal backbone of the whole application.
Check the attestation box and type or click to sign as instructed. Daniela reviews every section, then signs and submits. Read the whole application one more time before you sign, because changes after submission are harder to make.
The edge case is an applicant who lets someone else complete the form; you are still legally responsible for every answer. The mistake to avoid is signing without rechecking your name, SSN, and date of birth, since these drive your background check. The misconception is that the signature is a formality; a false attestation can lead to denial or later discipline.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three filers walking through the application from start to finish. Each shows the most important sections and what they enter.
Scenario 1: Daniela Reyes — New Virginia Graduate Applying by Examination
| Form Section | What Daniela Enters |
|---|---|
| Application Type | Licensure by Examination — LPN ($170) |
| Legal Name | DANIELA MARIA REYES (matches SSA card) |
| Social Security Number | Her nine-digit SSN, no spaces |
| Date of Birth | 03/14/1998 |
| Primary State of Residence | Virginia (lives in Norfolk) |
| Nursing Education | Virginia LPN program; expected grad 06/2026 |
| Transcript/Attestation | Confirms program sends Attestation directly |
| Background Check | Submits app, then registers at Fieldprint VA |
| Fee | Pays $170 by credit card |
| NCLEX-PN | Registers with Pearson VUE same day (~$200) |
Scenario 2: Marcus Bell — Out-of-State LPN Endorsing into Virginia
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Application Type | Licensure by Endorsement — LPN ($170) |
| Legal Name | MARCUS DEON BELL (matches SSA card) |
| Primary State of Residence | Virginia (just moved to Richmond) |
| Out-of-State License | North Carolina LPN, license number and issue date |
| License Verification | Requests electronic verification via Nursys (~$30) |
| Screening Questions | Answers all honestly; no disciplinary history |
| Background Check | Registers at Fieldprint VA after submitting |
| PSOR Proof (if asked) | Ready to send Virginia driver’s license |
| Fee | Pays $170 by debit card; saves receipt |
| Signature | Reviews, attests, and submits |
Scenario 3: Amara Okeke — Internationally Educated Nurse Applying by Examination
| Form Section | What Amara Enters |
|---|---|
| Application Type | Licensure by Examination — LPN ($170) |
| Legal Name | AMARA NGOZI OKEKE (matches identity documents) |
| Date of Birth | 11/02/1995 |
| Primary State of Residence | Virginia |
| Nursing Education | Foreign program name, country, and grad date |
| Credential Evaluation | Submits a Board-approved report (e.g., CGFNS) |
| English Proficiency | Submits TOEFL/IELTS score if program not in English |
| Background Check | Registers at Fieldprint VA after submitting |
| Fee | Pays $170 online |
| NCLEX-PN | Registers with Pearson VUE after filing |
How to File the Completed Form
Virginia accepts LPN exam and endorsement applications online only, so most filers use a single channel. Below is each route, including where supporting documents go.
- Online portal (main channel). File through the DHP licensing portal. Pay the $170 fee by credit or debit card. Processing takes about 30 business days after your fee posts. Keep your confirmation receipt with your Fieldprint code as proof of filing.
- Supporting documents by email. Your final transcript or Attestation must come directly from your school to transcriptbyexam@dhp.virginia.gov, with your name and “Official Transcript” or “Attestation Letter” in the subject line. There is no fee, and email is the fastest route. Save the school’s send confirmation.
- Supporting documents by mail. Documents may be mailed to the Virginia Board of Nursing, Perimeter Center, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Henrico, VA 23233-1463. No extra fee applies. Use tracked mail and keep the receipt as proof.
- Court documents (if applicable). Send these only to the DHP CBC unit at VDHPCBCUnit@dhp.virginia.gov. There is no fee. Keep a copy of the sent email.
- NCLEX-PN registration. Register separately with Pearson VUE online or at 1-866-496-2539. The exam fee is about $200, payable by card. Save your registration confirmation and later your ATT email.
Log into your portal often to track progress. Items marked “unchecked” may already be received but still pending review.
What Happens After You File
Once your fee posts, the Board begins its review, which takes about 30 business days for a complete application. During this time, the Board waits for your transcript or Attestation, your fingerprint results, and any verification or evaluation reports. Your application only moves forward when every required item arrives.
For exam applicants, the Board declares you eligible to test after it receives your transcript or Attestation. Pearson VUE then issues your Authorization to Test (ATT), and you schedule your NCLEX-PN. After testing, you can view unofficial results through the Pearson VUE Quick Results service, while the official pass result flows to the Board.
Endorsement applicants do not retake the NCLEX. Once verification and the background check clear, the Board issues the Virginia license. You can confirm your active license anytime through the License Lookup, which posts status in real time.
Remember that your application stays on file for one year. If it is not completed within that year, it expires and you must file a new application and pay the fee again.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Choosing the wrong application type (exam vs. endorsement), which forces you to withdraw and refile and pay again.
- Entering a name that does not match your Social Security card, which holds up your background check.
- Leaving the Social Security number blank or wrong, which stops the Board from running your CBC.
- Typing the wrong date of birth, which keeps your fingerprint results from matching your file.
- Mistyping your email, which means you never receive your Fieldprint code.
- Declaring Virginia as your PSOR when you live in another compact state, which can void your multistate privilege.
- Requesting a transcript when your Virginia school sends an Attestation, which creates duplicate, confusing paperwork.
- Forgetting to order Nursys verification for endorsement, which leaves the Board unable to approve you.
- Answering “no” to a screening question that records contradict, which is grounds for denial.
- Trying to schedule fingerprinting before submitting your application, which the system blocks.
- Waiting weeks to register with Pearson VUE, which delays your Authorization to Test.
- Assuming your application is in review before the fee posts, which it is not.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do: – Do match your name, SSN, and date of birth to your official ID, because the Board verifies these against federal records. – Do register with Pearson VUE the same day you file, because it keeps your ATT from being delayed. – Do confirm with your program director whether the school sends an Attestation, because that saves you from ordering a transcript. – Do copy your Fieldprint code right away, because you need it to schedule fingerprinting. – Do log into your portal often, because “unchecked” items may be received but pending review. – Do save every receipt and confirmation, because they are your proof of filing.
Don’t: – Don’t pick the wrong application type, because it gathers the wrong documents and wastes your fee. – Don’t declare a PSOR you do not actually live in, because it can cost you your multistate license. – Don’t answer screening questions falsely, because a false answer can lead to denial. – Don’t upload court documents with the general application, because they must go to the CBC unit. – Don’t expect a refund, because the application fee is non-refundable. – Don’t let your application sit unfinished past one year, because it expires and you must refile.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
| Filing on Your Own | Filing With Help (Advisor or Program Support) |
|---|---|
| Costs less, since you avoid any service fees, because you handle every step yourself. | Costs more, because you pay for guidance, but you may avoid costly errors. |
| Gives you full control over your timeline, because no one else holds your documents. | Saves time, because an advisor knows which documents go where. |
| Builds your own understanding of the process, because you read every requirement. | Reduces stress for complex cases, because experts handle foreign credentials or disclosures. |
| Works well for straightforward new-grad cases, because the portal guides you. | Helpful for endorsement or international files, because verification rules get tricky. |
| Avoids miscommunication, because you send documents directly. | Catches mistakes early, because a second set of eyes reviews your answers. |
For a clean exam application from a Virginia program, most filers do fine on their own. For international education, prior discipline, or messy multistate residency, support can prevent a denial.
FAQs
How much is the Virginia LPN application fee? Yes, there is a fee: $170 for licensure by exam or endorsement under 18VAC90-19-30, paid online and non-refundable. The NCLEX-PN exam fee (about $200) is separate.
Can I file the Virginia LPN application by mail? No, first-time exam and endorsement applications are accepted online only. Paper is used only for repeat-exam and reinstatement-after-discipline applications.
Do I need a background check for endorsement too? Yes, every LPN applicant must complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check through Fieldprint Virginia, including endorsement applicants, under Virginia Code § 54.1-3005.1.
Should I write my maiden name or married name in the legal name field? Yes, use whichever name appears on your current Social Security card; if you changed names, update the SSA first to avoid a background-check hold.
Do I enter my work state or home state in the Primary State of Residence field? No, never use your work state; enter your fixed, permanent legal home, because it decides whether you get a multistate or single-state license.
Should I request a transcript if my Virginia school sends an Attestation? No, if your Virginia program sends an Attestation letter directly to the Board, do not also request a transcript, because that creates duplicate paperwork.
Do I have to disclose an old or dismissed charge in the screening questions? Yes, when in doubt, disclose; many dismissed or old matters must still be reported, and a false “no” answer can lead to denial.
Can I register for fingerprinting before submitting my application? No, you cannot register with Fieldprint until after you submit your application, because the portal generates your VBON Fieldprint code only then.
Should I register with Pearson VUE before or after filing with the Board? Yes, register immediately after submitting your VBON application, because waiting can delay your Authorization to Test.
Can I get a refund if I change my mind after paying? No, the application fee is non-refundable, and the Board does not review your application until the fee posts.
Do internationally educated nurses need extra documents? Yes, foreign-educated applicants must submit a Board-approved credential evaluation, and if their program was not in English, an English proficiency score report.
How long does the Virginia Board take to process my LPN application? Yes, a complete, fully documented application takes about 30 business days (roughly 6 weeks), though missing documents can extend that time.
Does my application expire if I don’t finish it? Yes, the Board keeps your application on file for one year; if it is not completed within that year, you must file a new application and pay again.
Do I need 400 clinical hours for an LPN license in Virginia? Yes, LPN applicants must complete at least 400 direct client care hours across the lifespan, and out-of-state transcripts must break these hours down by course.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out the New Jersey Board of Nursing LPN License Application (+ FAQs)
- How to Fill Out the North Carolina Board of Nursing LPN License Application + FAQs
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