Healthcare License Verification
How to Verify a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or LVN License
LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) and LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse — used in California and Texas) licenses are regulated by state boards of nursing and verifiable through NURSYS, the national nurse license verification system. This is distinct from RN verification but uses the same infrastructure.
Quick answer
Verify LPN/LVN licenses at nursys.com (the NURSYS national registry) or directly through the state board of nursing in the state where the nurse is currently licensed. NURSYS covers most participating states; a few states require direct board verification. The search is free and shows license status, expiration, and any disciplinary actions.
LPN vs. LVN: the terminology difference
LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) and LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse) are the same scope of practice under different names:
- › LPN — used in 48 states and D.C.
- › LVN — used exclusively in California and Texas
A California LVN moving to Florida is relicensed as an LPN. The NCLEX-PN exam is the same across all states regardless of the title used.
How to verify an LPN/LVN license
Method 1: NURSYS national registry (preferred)
Navigate to nursys.com. NURSYS is maintained by NCSBN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing) and provides verification across participating state boards. Select "License Verification" and search by:
- › Nurse name (first, last, state)
- › License number and state
The result shows the license type (LPN/LVN), license number, status (active, expired, suspended, revoked), expiration date, and any encumbrances.
Method 2: State board of nursing direct verification
Some states require direct board verification rather than NURSYS. Key state portals:
- › California (LVN): ca.gov/BRN → License Lookup (breeze.ca.gov)
- › Texas (LVN): bon.texas.gov → License Verification
- › New York: nysed.gov → License Verification
- › Florida: flhealthsource.gov → License Verification
LPN vs. RN: scope of practice for hiring
LPNs and RNs are distinct license types with different scopes of practice. Verifying that the credential matches the role is as important as verifying that the credential is active.
| Function | LPN/LVN | RN |
|---|---|---|
| Medication administration | Yes (with supervision, most states) | Yes (independently) |
| IV therapy | Varies by state (limited) | Yes |
| Nursing assessment | Contributing to (not initial) | Full initial assessment |
| Care plan development | Contributes under RN direction | Develops independently |
| Education requirement | 1-year diploma or certificate | ADN (2-year) or BSN (4-year) |
| Licensing exam | NCLEX-PN | NCLEX-RN |
Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) and LPNs
The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows nurses to hold a multistate license and practice in other compact member states without obtaining additional licenses. As of 2025, 41 states participate in the NLC.
The NLC covers both RNs and LPNs/LVNs. A nurse with a compact license in their home state may practice in other compact states without a separate license in those states.
Compact license verification
A nurse practicing under a compact license in a non-home state does not hold a separate license in that state — the license on file is the home state license. NURSYS shows whether a license is a multistate compact license and the nurse's home state. Verify the home state license is active even if the nurse is working in a different compact state.
Checking for disciplinary actions
NURSYS shows encumbrances — restrictions, suspensions, and revocations — on nurse licenses. Additionally:
- › State boards publish formal disciplinary orders separately — check the state board's disciplinary records in addition to the NURSYS status
- › The OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE) at oig.hhs.gov/exclusions lists individuals excluded from federal healthcare programs — an LPN on the exclusion list cannot be employed in any Medicare/Medicaid-covered facility
- › State Medicaid exclusion lists supplement the federal OIG LEIE — many states maintain their own lists
Verify the nursing program accreditation
LPN programs are approved by state boards of nursing and may also hold national accreditation. Use VerifyED to confirm that the nursing school a candidate attended is legitimately accredited — and catch diploma mill nursing programs before they enter your clinical staffing pipeline.
Search Schools and Accreditation →