Inside Look at the Best Online LVN Programs in California
Learn about CA-approved LVN programs with online classes and start your journey to becoming a licensed vocational nurse by continuing reading below.
Earning your LVN credential can be a great entry point into a rewarding nursing career. In California, licensed vocational nurse positions are on the rise with an estimated growth rate of 17.8 percent during the 2022-2032 decade, according to Projections Central. During that same time frame, it’s been estimated that this growth rate will result in about 11,100 new LVN jobs becoming available.
But not just anyone can work as an LVN. To become an LVN in California, you’ll first need to complete the necessary training from an approved LVN program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN). Special one-year, partially-online LVN programs are available to provide this instruction and help individuals qualify to take the national exam. While most LVN programs in California are campus-based, some do offer hybrid learning models. This allows students tocomplete some of their coursework online. More and more, LVN programs are adopting these hybrid-learning models because of the convenience they offer students in tailoring their classwork around their professional and personal lives
This guide is designed to help you learn more about online LVN programs in California and figure out if they’re the right choice for you. You’ll also find detailed information on accredited colleges that offer these programs, discover LVN pay rates across the state, learn about LVN licensing regulations in California, and much more
How Do Online LVN Programs in California Work?
Most online LVN programs in California offer the same curriculum as their campus equivalents, plus one key advantage: You can pursue your LVN certificate or diploma at your own pace and location. Typically, you will participate in an entry interview to determine your ability to work online. The hybrid format combines online classroom learning with campus-based, hands-on nursing experiences. Some hybrid online LVN programs in California require a certain number of on-campus courses in addition to the online classes. You should carefully review the curriculum and schedules for all the schools you consider to see if you can benefit from the partially online curriculum.
Online California LVN programs typically take a year to complete on a full-time basis, but some take longer. For example, Stanbridge University’s California program takes from 13-14 months for completion. Success in online LVN learning comes with a few key considerations. Do you have the discipline to commit to keeping up with the work even if it’s in a self-paced course? Are you able and willing to commute to campus for intensive hands-on clinicals? If the answer is no to either question, you may want to consider a traditional campus-based LVN program.
Visit EduMed’s main online LVN & LPN program page for more information on how distance LVN programs work and find schools in a city near you below.
Find California LVN Programs in a City Near You
- Los Angeles LVN Programs (Online & On-Campus)
- Sacramento LVN Programs (Online & On-Campus)
- San Diego LVN Programs (Online & On-Campus)
Are There Online LVN Programs in California?: Spotlight Schools
With so many online LVN programs in California to choose from, finding the right one can be challenging. You want to make sure the training program is affordable and has a flexible class structure. But you also want it to be as short as possible while properly preparing you for the NCLEX-PN exam and state licensure. To help you get started on your program search, we’ve spotlighted two LVN programs in California that offer some of their coursework online and have been fully-approved by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians. These stand out in terms of affordability, student services, learning flexibility, and accreditation. Even if you’re not interested in these specific programs, they at least provide you with a framework of what to look for when searching for the perfect LVN program. Learn more about each program below and see if they meet your criteria.
List of State-Approved LVN Programs in California
While there are many factors you should consider when looking into LVN programs in California, the most important is whether or not it’s been approved by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (CBVNPT). Not attending an approved program means you can’t receive your vocational nursing license. Below you’ll find a list of approved programs throughout the state, along with recent NCLEX-PN exam pass rates for their students. High NCLEX pass rates are a strong signal that a program provides quality coursework and training. Ideally, look for programs with NCLEX-PN pass rates that are around or above the state or national average.
| School | School Type | NCLEX-PN Pass Rate (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| School | School Type | NCLEX-PN Pass Rate (2019) |
Source: California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians; Most recent data as of Feb. 2022
LVN Licensing Details and Requirements in California
Each state’s board of nursing establishes its own set of licensing requirements for LVNs. In California you cannot practice as an LVN without holding a current license. And the primary step to getting a license is passing the national NCLEX PN examination. Keep this in mind as you undertake your training because items on the exam relate to LVN coursework.
You may also be wondering how long an LVN course is in California. As you’ll see below, the length of your program will depend on which pathway you take on.
Keep reading for more details on how to become an LVN in California. You can also find the latest official licensing information at the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (CBVNPT).
3 Pathways to Become an LVN in California
1
According to the CBVNPT, the school of nursing at your accredited California LVN program issues the required paperwork for licensing applications. The application attests to completion of the 1,530 total hours required for the license: 576 classroom hours (including pharmacology ) and 954 clinical hours. Course requirements include Anatomy & Physiology, Psychology, Pharmacology, Medical–Surgical Nursing, Normal Growth and Development, Communicable Diseases, Ethics and Unethical Conduct, Rehabilitation Nursing, Leadership, End–of–Life Care, and more. Find more information at CBVNPT.
2
Students can qualify for licensing in California by accruing 51 months of paid bedside experience, along with 54-credits in pharmacology theory. Applicable experience must be at an acute care facility. All application documents under this requirement option must be sent to the CBVNPT, along with verifying communication from employers. Practical experience should include 48 months of medical-surgical nursing, 5 weeks of pediatric nursing, and 5 weeks of genitourinary or maternity nursing.
3
Military veterans with pertinent experience and education may also qualify for licensing. The CBVNPT stipulates that applicants must have documented 12 months of active duty service in an armed forces medical corps that administers bedside patient care. Veterans must also document that they have completed a basic course in nursing in the service. You may not combine military and nonmilitary experience to meet licensing requirements.
Additional Requirements for LVN Licensure in California
1
The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX PN) is created annually by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. The 100-question exam qualifies graduates to seek licensing in California and other states. Applications to take the exam and practice tests are available through Pearson VUE. Pearson provides registration, test dates and candidate scheduling. Proctored, online NCLEX PN virtual exams are offered via Pearson’s OnVUE proctoring. For more information about the NCLEX-PN or to apply for the exam, visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
2
In California, licenses for Vocational Nurses (LVNs) are good for two years. On the first renewal after you get your license there are no continuing education requirements. Thereafter, two-year renewals are required and candidates must complete 30 hours of continuing education before their current license expires. Each licensee must certify whether they have committed crime prior to the request. For a detailed view of renewal requirements visit the California Board of Registered Nursing, License/Certificate Renewal.
Job Outlook and Salary Details for LVNs in California
Licensed vocational nurses working in California enjoy high salaries and strong job growth potential. This is evidenced by recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data listed in the following tables. For example, the number of LVN jobs in the state is projected to increase by nearly 18% between 2022 and 2032. That’s more than three times the projected growth rate of LPNs and LVNs in the U.S. overall, and over six times the projected rate for all jobs in all occupations nationwide.
As for earnings, graduates of online LVN programs in California can look forward to some of the highest salaries in the nation. Averages range from the mid-$50,000s to mid-$60,000s per year for entry-level positions to as much as $100,000 or more for senior LVN positions. It’s also important to note that, as indicated in the second table, salaries for LVN jobs in California vary, sometimes substantially, depending on where in the state those jobs are located.
Job Outlook for Licensed Vocational Nurses in California
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 655,000 | 689,900 | 34,900 | 5.30% | 54,400 |
| California | 78,100 | 92,000 | 13,900 | 17.80% | 7,830 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Annual Earnings for Licensed Vocational Nurses in California
As the data in the table below shows, the top percentile of LVNs make the most money in Vallejo-Fairfield, CA at an average annual earning of $110,330. The highest median income and highest-earning lower percentile go to the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara region at $84,500 and $72,550, respectively.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $61,500 | $75,610 | $96,790 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $56,730 | $69,590 | $79,110 |
| Chico, CA | $61,020 | $68,400 | $80,530 |
| El Centro, CA | $53,660 | $71,240 | $77,480 |
| Fresno, CA | $56,730 | $69,170 | $93,600 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $60,830 | $73,360 | $76,200 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $61,800 | $75,570 | $95,360 |
| Madera, CA | $61,870 | $73,360 | $78,670 |
| Merced, CA | $55,060 | $63,540 | $77,750 |
| Modesto, CA | $61,360 | $72,600 | $97,910 |
| Napa, CA | $65,220 | $78,680 | $107,000 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $61,380 | $73,720 | $88,500 |
| Redding, CA | $52,940 | $64,280 | $80,030 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $58,870 | $72,060 | $84,780 |
| Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA | $62,750 | $77,270 | $97,780 |
| Salinas, CA | $62,520 | $77,750 | $83,330 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | $62,070 | $74,270 | $91,760 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | $69,960 | $83,650 | $109,230 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $72,550 | $84,500 | $100,120 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA | $62,180 | $75,010 | $99,100 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $62,240 | $73,130 | $99,090 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $62,030 | $75,070 | $91,440 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $65,510 | $78,560 | $102,410 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $60,810 | $73,320 | $93,820 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | $64,010 | $76,280 | $110,330 |
| Visalia-Porterville, CA | $54,330 | $64,020 | $78,140 |
| Yuba City, CA | $59,440 | $67,350 | $82,950 |
Source: Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Online LVN California Resources and Scholarships
- Allied Healthcare Scholarship ProgramThe State of California’s Allied Healthcare Scholarship awards up to $8,000 per year. Scholarship recipients are required to work for one year at a California facility with a demonstrated need for LVNs.
- Application for Vocational Nurse Licensure by ExaminationThere are multiple qualifying options for LVN licensing in California, including completion of a degree or professional and military experience. Find the right option for you on this official page from the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians.
- California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric TechniciansThe board establishes the minimum requirements for taking the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) and subsequent licensure. Discover the licensing application process, fee schedule, and more at the website or call (916) 263-7800.
- California Nursing Students AssociationThe CNSA is made up of more than 5,000 members who receive access to information about state boards, career development, and advocacy. During Covid-19, members attend a virtual annual convention.
- Vocational Nurse Scholarship Program (VNSP)This scholarship is offered by the California’s Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development and can be awarded twice per student. The award is up to $4,000 and requires graduates to provide full-time patient care at a state-approved facility.
