LPN Programs in Florida: Schools, Requirements & Salary (2026)
GoLPN Editorial Team · Updated
Florida LPN programs train one of the largest practical nursing workforces in the country, with approximately 38,620 LPNs employed across the state. The median salary of $61,770 (BLS, May 2025) is below the national median, but Florida’s lack of state income tax and lower cost of living make it competitive in real purchasing power. LPN schools in Florida are widely available through the state’s extensive community college system, with programs in every major metro area. The Florida Board of Nursing oversees licensure and program approval. BLS projects national LPN/LVN employment to grow 3% from 2025 to 2035, with about 51,800 openings a year (Occupational Outlook Handbook).
New to practical nursing? Our national guide to LPN programs explains what a program covers and how to compare schools, with every state in one directory.
Find LPN Programs in Florida
LPN Salary in Florida
The median annual wage for LPNs in Florida was $61,770 in May 2025, $2,630 below the national median of $64,400, and about 38,620 LPNs worked in the state (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025).
LPN Pay by Metro Area in Florida
| Metro area | Median annual wage | LPNs employed |
|---|---|---|
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | $64,590 | 650 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $63,770 | 1,910 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $62,610 | 8,900 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $62,490 | 5,870 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL | $62,110 | 390 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $62,070 | 3,050 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $61,530 | 1,170 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $61,300 | 830 |
The 8 highest-paying of 22 metro areas in Florida. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, metropolitan areas; metro areas that cross state lines are included.
For detailed salary percentiles and metro-area data, see our complete LPN salary guide.
Find LPN programs in Florida
Search Florida Schools →How to Become an LPN in Florida
To practice as an LPN in Florida, you must complete a state-approved practical nursing program and pass the NCLEX-PN exam. Here's the process:
Complete prerequisites
High school diploma or GED, CPR/BLS certification, passing TEAS or HESI entrance exam score, background check, and current immunizations.
Enroll in an approved LPN program
Choose a program approved by the Florida Board of Nursing. Florida LPN programs must include supervised clinical rotations at approved healthcare facilities. The Florida Board of Nursing sets minimum curriculum standards for all programs.
Complete coursework and clinical rotations
Programs cover nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, anatomy, medical-surgical nursing, pediatrics, and mental health. Clinical rotations take place at hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics across Florida. Wondering which parts can be done online? See how hybrid LPN programs work.
Pass the NCLEX-PN
After graduating, register with the Florida Board of Nursing and pass the NCLEX-PN exam to earn your LPN license.
Apply for Florida licensure
Submit your license application through the Florida Board of Nursing. Processing typically takes 2 to 6 weeks. Many Florida employers hire pending license verification.
Top LPN Programs in Florida
The following accredited programs are among the most established LPN schools in Florida:
| School | City | Duration | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Dade College | Miami | 12 months | In-person |
| Broward College | Fort Lauderdale | 12 months | In-person |
| Hillsborough Community College | Tampa | 11 months | In-person |
| Valencia College | Orlando | 12 months | In-person |
| Palm Beach State College | Lake Worth | 12 months | In-person |
Program details are subject to change. Verify current offerings directly with each school.
Browse LPN programs in all 50 states
LPN Program Completions in Florida, 2024–25
In the 2024–25 academic year, 67 institutions in Florida awarded 2,406 practical/vocational nursing certificates and degrees, according to the federal IPEDS survey. The table shows the 30 largest by completions; the CSV below has all 67 (one row per institution and award level). Each name links to the school's College Navigator profile (cost, aid and accreditation).
| Institution | City | Award | Completions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rasmussen University-Florida | Ocala | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 146 |
| Gwinnett Institute | Orlando | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 87 |
| Atlantic Technical College | Coconut Creek | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 81 |
| Sheridan Technical College | Hollywood | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 79 |
| Lake Technical College | Eustis | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 74 |
| ATA Career Education | Spring Hill | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 70 |
| Pinellas Technical College-Clearwater | Clearwater | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 70 |
| Pinellas Technical College-St. Petersburg | Saint Petersburg | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 70 |
| Concorde Career Institute-Jacksonville | Jacksonville | Certificate, 2 to 4 years | 62 |
| Immokalee Technical College | Immokalee | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 62 |
| Southeastern College-Boynton Beach | Boynton Beach | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 62 |
| First Coast Technical College | Saint Augustine | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 59 |
| Lorenzo Walker Technical College | Naples | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 59 |
| Miami Dade College | Miami | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 57 |
| Erwin Technical College | Tampa | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 50 |
| William T McFatter Technical College | Davie | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 50 |
| Medical Institute of Palm Beach | Greenacres | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 48 |
| Florida State College at Jacksonville | Jacksonville | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 46 |
| Lively Technical College | Tallahassee | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 46 |
| Suncoast Technical College | Sarasota | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 45 |
| Charlotte Technical College | Port Charlotte | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 44 |
| Manatee Technical College | Bradenton | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 43 |
| Fortis Institute-Port Saint Lucie | Port Saint Lucie | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 41 |
| Robert Morgan Educational Center and Technical College | Miami | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 39 |
| Tom P. Haney Technical College | Panama City | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 38 |
| North Florida Technical College | Starke | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 37 |
| Okaloosa Technical College | Fort Walton Beach | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 33 |
| Gulf Coast State College | Panama City | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 32 |
| Marion Technical College | Ocala | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 32 |
| Traviss Technical College | Lakeland | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 31 |
Source: NCES, IPEDS Completions survey, 2024–25 (file C2025_A, provisional release): awards conferred July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 in CIP 51.3901, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training, first majors; institutions with no awards that year are not shown. Download all states: CSV. IPEDS counts awards, not NCLEX results or current enrollment.
NCLEX-PN Pass Rates for Florida Programs
In 2025, 78.6% of first-time, U.S.-educated candidates testing for a Florida license passed the NCLEX-PN (2,950 of 3,755), compared with 86.6% nationally (NCSBN, 2025 NCLEX Examination Statistics).
The Florida Board of Nursing (Florida Department of Health) publishes each program's results. The 25 programs with the most candidates are below; all 150 are in our pass-rate tables.
| Program | Candidates | Passed | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| FL - PARTIAL RN EDUCATION TAKING PN (US70909700) | 320 | 245 | 76.56% |
| FL - CLOSED PROGRAM (US70900000) | 104 | 36 | 34.62% |
| FL - GWINNETT INSTITUTE - PN (US70102400) | 103 | 71 | 68.93% |
| FL - SHERIDAN TECHNICAL COLLEGE - PN (US70200500) | 81 | 64 | 79.01% |
| FL - PINELLAS TECHNICAL COLLEGE - CLEARWATER (US70109400) | 80 | 75 | 93.75% |
| FL - MEDICAL INSTITUTE OF PALM BEACH (US70116800) | 66 | 38 | 57.58% |
| FL - MIAMI DADE COLLEGE - BENJAMIN LEON SCHOOLOF NURSING - MIAMI - PN (US70123000) | 66 | 43 | 65.15% |
| FL - SUNCOAST TECHNICAL COLLEGE (US70109300) | 65 | 54 | 83.08% |
| FL - ATA CAREER EDUCATION - PN (US70111500) | 61 | 53 | 86.89% |
| FL - ORANGE TECHNICAL COLLEGE - ORLANDO CAMPUS (US70108700) | 61 | 46 | 75.41% |
| FL - JERSEY COLLEGE - PN (US70103200) | 59 | 59 | 100% |
| FL - RASMUSSEN UNIVERSITY - TAMPA/BRANDON - PN (US70203200) | 58 | 52 | 89.66% |
| FL - FIRST COAST TECHNICAL COLLEGE (US70108200) | 57 | 51 | 89.47% |
| FL - ATLANTIC TECHNICAL COLLEGE (US70108600) | 56 | 49 | 87.5% |
| FL - CONCORDE CAREER INSTITUTE (US70102500) | 56 | 44 | 78.57% |
| FL - FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE AT JACKSONVILLE (US70107900) | 56 | 51 | 91.07% |
| FL - HERZING UNIVERSITY - PN (US70205600) | 56 | 50 | 89.29% |
| FL - LAKE TECHNICAL COLLEGE PRACTICAL NURSING PROGRAM (US70107800) | 56 | 41 | 73.21% |
| FL - MCFATTER TECHNICAL COLLEGE (US70200200) | 56 | 42 | 75% |
| FL - ACADEMY FOR NURSING AND HEALTH OCCUPATIONS (US70200100) | 55 | 49 | 89.09% |
| FL - PINELLAS TECHNICAL COLLEGE - ST PETERSBURG (US70105100) | 55 | 41 | 74.55% |
| FL - ROBERT MORGAN EDUCATIONAL CENTER PRACTICAL NURSING PROGRAM (US70204800) | 53 | 38 | 71.7% |
| FL - MANATEE TECHNICAL COLLEGE (US70108300) | 47 | 34 | 72.34% |
| FL - RASMUSSEN UNIVERSITY - OCALA (US70201400) | 47 | 41 | 87.23% |
| FL - JERSEY COLLEGE - PN (US70105500) | 46 | 45 | 97.83% |
Source: Florida Board of Nursing (Florida Department of Health). Period: Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2025; first-time candidates. “—” means the board does not publish that figure.
Career Pathways for Florida LPNs
Your LPN license in Florida opens several advancement routes:
MA to LPN
Already a medical assistant? Bridge programs can fast-track your LPN in 6–12 months.
CNA to LPN
CNAs can earn advanced standing and complete LPN programs faster.
LPN to RN
Advance to Registered Nurse for higher pay and more roles.
LPN to BSN
Earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing for the widest career options.
Exploring options in nearby states? Check out LPN programs in Georgia, and Alabama.
Frequently Asked Questions: LPN Programs in Florida
How much do LPNs make in Florida?
The median LPN salary in Florida was $61,770 a year in May 2025, $2,630 below the national median of $64,400. Among metro areas, Naples-Marco Island, FL had the highest median ($64,590), followed by North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL ($63,770) and Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL ($62,610). (BLS, May 2025)
How long does it take to become an LPN in Florida?
Florida LPN programs typically take 11 to 12 months full-time. After completing an approved program, you must pass the NCLEX-PN exam and apply for Florida licensure. The total process from enrollment to working as an LPN takes approximately 13 to 16 months.
What are the best LPN programs in Florida?
Miami Dade College, Broward College, Hillsborough Community College (Tampa), and Valencia College (Orlando) are among the most respected LPN programs in the state. All are public community colleges with competitive tuition and strong NCLEX pass rates. Palm Beach State College is another solid option.
Does Florida have online LPN programs?
Some Florida programs offer hybrid options with online didactic coursework, but all clinical rotations must be completed in person at approved healthcare facilities. Fully online LPN programs are not available in Florida. The Florida Board of Nursing requires hands-on clinical training.
What does the Florida Board of Nursing require for LPN licensure?
The Florida Board of Nursing requires completion of a board-approved practical nursing program, a passing NCLEX-PN score, fingerprinting and a Level 2 background check, and a completed license application with fees. Florida does not participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a Florida-specific license is required.
Find LPN Programs in Florida
Compare accredited LPN programs near you. Search by location, schedule, and cost to find the right fit.
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Take the Free Career Quiz →Last updated: November 4, 2026. Wage data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, SOC 29-2061.