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

Wisconsin participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an LPN who already holds a multistate license from another compact state can generally practice in Wisconsin under that existing license without applying for a new one. An LPN coming from a non-compact state, or one who does not hold a multistate license, needs to apply for licensure by endorsement instead.

To apply by endorsement, an LPN applies through the LicensE system and has out-of-state licenses verified through Nursys, or by paper verification if the other state does not use Nursys. Applicants pursuing a multistate license also complete digital fingerprinting for an FBI background check. Wisconsin issues temporary permits, and the board requires a refresher course if the applicant has had neither nursing education nor licensed employment in the past five years. The board does not name a separate state law or English proficiency exam.

To become an LPN in Wisconsin, a candidate must complete two years of high school or its equivalent and then graduate from a board-approved practical nursing diploma program. The board's page does not state how many months the program takes. After completing the program, the candidate registers for and passes the NCLEX-PN exam through Pearson VUE. A student may test before graduation only with a school certificate of approval. The board does not name a separate Wisconsin jurisprudence or statutes exam.