Colorado LPN License: Lookup, Renewal, CE, and Fees

Colorado has belonged to the Nurse Licensure Compact since January 19, 2018, so an LPN who holds a multistate license issued by another compact state can generally practice in Colorado without applying for a separate Colorado license. An LPN whose primary state of residence is Colorado is issued the multistate license by default; an LPN moving from a non-compact state, or one who wants a Colorado-only license, applies through endorsement instead.

To apply by endorsement, an LPN licensed in another state submits an online application to Colorado's Division of Professions and Occupations and completes a fingerprint-based background check through IdentoGO or Colorado Fingerprinting for state and FBI review. Colorado requires no separate jurisprudence exam and issues no temporary permit while an endorsement application is pending. An applicant who has not worked on an active license in the past two years must show continued competency, and the board does not state specific endorsement fees.

To become licensed, an applicant must graduate from a Colorado-approved practical nursing program, or from an out-of-state practical or professional nursing program accredited by a nationally recognized agency, and have an official transcript sent directly to the board. Graduates of approved registered-nurse programs may also sit for the exam. Military and foreign-trained applicants are considered case by case; foreign graduates need a credentials evaluation and sometimes an English proficiency test. All applicants must pass the NCLEX-PN, and Colorado requires no separate jurisprudence exam.