Top LPN Programs in Alabama
Alabama LPN Schools, License Requirements, Salary, and Job Outlook
The state of Alabama encourages nursing individuals to shape their career through professional development & excellence and bring welfare to the entire community. A great number of opportunities are there for nurses in this state. A growth of 16% in the employment of LPNs is estimated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) by the year 2024. However, in May 2015, a hike of 3.6% was reported by the BLS in Alabama. You can apply for the LPN license either via exam or endorsement (if you are moving to Alabama from another state).
To become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), you first need to select the best-suited and approved LPN school in Alabama that provides quality education with a special focus on the integrity of the students. There are various types of colleges that offer LPN courses including technical colleges, community colleges, and private institutes. After a keen review of the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) exam pass rate, we have ranked top nursing schools in Alabama accredited by the Alabama Board of Nursing (ABN).
1
Rank
Chattahoochee Valley Community College
Type of Course : Certificate
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NCLEX-PN Pass Rate:
100.00 %
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Address:
2602 College Drive, Phenix City, Alabama 36869
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Contact Number:
334.291.4900
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Type of Course:
Certificate
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2
Rank
Wallace State Community College
Type of Course : Certificate
Wallace State Community College (WSCC) emphasizes on providing effective and smart learning in a well-equipped as well as the technologically advanced environment. WSCC strives to provide high-quality welfare to the community by releasing trained and dedicated LPNs. Students can avail flexible, traditional, or online classes.
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NCLEX-PN Pass Rate:
98.56 %
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Address:
801 Main Street North West, P.O. Box 2000, Hanceville, Alabama 35077-2000
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Contact Number:
866.350.9722
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Type of Course:
Certificate
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3
Rank
George C. Wallace Community College
Type of Course : Certificate
George C. Wallace Community College (WCC) has two campuses in Alabama- one in Dothan and the other in Eufaula. The course of Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is available in both the campuses, where nursing individual are provided with the outstanding training. The best industry standards and technology are used to impart knowledge so as to develop employability skills of the students. The three-semester program allows students to earn professional LPN certification so that they can practice without any hindrance.
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NCLEX-PN Pass Rate:
98.56 %
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Address:
1141 Wallace Drive, Dothan, Alabama 36303
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Contact Number:
334.983.3521
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-
Type of Course:
Certificate
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4
Rank
Central Alabama Community College
Type of Course : Certificate
Central Alabama Community College (CACC) focuses on increasing the employability skills of practical nursing aspirants by providing them technologically advanced classrooms, remarkable academics, and frequent instructions regarding the career. CACC is located in Alexander City as well as in Childersburg and Talladega.
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NCLEX-PN Pass Rate:
98.33 %
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Address:
1675 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, Alabama 35010
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Contact Number:
256.234.6346
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-
Type of Course:
Certificate
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5
Rank
Lawson State Community College
Type of Course : Certificate
Lawson State Community College (LSCC) is located in Bessemer, Alabama. It also has a branch in Birmingham, AL. LSCC focuses on providing advanced technical education with a special emphasis on quality learning for the students, who want to make their career in nursing and health & welfare sector. Apart from this, LSCC provides a platform to the students to develop excellent nursing abilities necessary for an adequate practice.
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NCLEX-PN Pass Rate:
97.93 %
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Address:
1100 Ninth Avenue, South West Bessemer, Alabama 35022
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Contact Number:
205.925.2515
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Type of Course:
Certificate
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6
Rank
Northwest-Shoals Community College
Type of Course:Certificate
Northwest-Shoals Community College (NWSCC), located in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, strives to provide exceptional skills, competence, and knowledge to its students so that they can contribute to the welfare of the society. NWSCC is accredited by the Alabama State Board of Nursing and provides morning classes, four days a week.
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NCLEX-PN Pass Rate:
96.96 %
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Address:
800 George Wallace Boulevard, Muscle Shoals, Alabama 35661
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Contact Number:
256.331.5200
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Type of Course:
Certificate
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7
Rank
Shelton State Community College
Type of Course : Certificate
Shelton State Community College (SSCC) came into existence in 1979. It is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. It helps the nursing students achieve their employment goals by providing them the best clinical and academic experience. Flexible schedules, non-traditional practical classes, highly qualified teaching staff, and reasonable cost are what students get in this college.
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NCLEX-PN Pass Rate:
96.13 %
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Address:
9500 Old Greensboro Road, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35405
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Contact Number:
205.391.2211
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Type of Course:
Certificate
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8
Rank
Northeast Alabama Community College
Type of Course : Certificate
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NCLEX-PN Pass Rate:
93.63 %
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Address:
138 Highway 35, Rainsville, Alabama 35986
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Contact Number:
256.638.4418
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-
Type of Course:
Certificate
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9
Rank
Trenholm State Technical College
Type of Course : Certificate
Trenholm State Technical College (TSTC) strives to provide the community with proficient and well-educated professionals to deliver high-quality nursing services. TSTC provides not only effective classroom education but also the best clinical experience. Students can also apply for in-state, online, or out-of-state tuition.
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NCLEX-PN Pass Rate:
88.63 %
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Address:
1225 Air Base Boulevard, Montgomery, Alabama 36108
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Contact Number:
334.420.4200
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Type of Course:
Certificate
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10
Rank
Bishop State Community College
Type of Course : Certificate
Reasonable cost, financial aid, student-oriented environment, and helpful & immensely experienced teaching staff make the Bishop State Community College (BSCC) unique and distinctive than other colleges. The main campus of BSCC is located in Mobile, AL. Other three campuses are located in Avenue, Parkway, and Stanton Street, in Alabama. BSCC is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), which is a well-known accrediting organization for all types of nursing education.
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NCLEX-PN Pass Rate:
86.93 %
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Address:
351 North Broad Street, Mobile, Alabama 36603
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Contact Number:
5251.405.7000
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Type of Course:
Certificate
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11
Rank
Southern Union State Community College
Type of Course : Certificate
Southern Union State Community College (SUSCC) has three campuses in Alabama. The main campus is located in Wadley, and the other two campuses are located in Opelika and James Drive Valley. This open-door, public, two-year community college offers accessible education, favorable circumstances and excellent opportunities for the students, who want to pursue their career in practical nursing. The SUSCC ensures the overall development of the students by providing them well-experienced and caring faculty, advanced classrooms, and a dynamic campus experience.
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NCLEX-PN Pass Rate:
84.80 %
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Address:
750 Roberts Street, Wadley, Alabama 36276
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Contact Number:
256.395.2211
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Type of Course:
Certificate
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12
Rank
Drake State Technical College
Type of Course : Certificate
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NCLEX-PN Pass Rate:
82.10 %
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Address:
3421 Meridian Street North, Huntsville, Alabama 35811
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Contact Number:
256.539.8161
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Type of Course:
Certificate
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13
Rank
Reid State Technical College
Type of Course : Certificate
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NCLEX-PN Pass Rate:
81.63 %
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Address:
100 Highway 83, Evergreen, Alabama 36401
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Contact Number:
251.578.1313
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Type of Course:
Certificate
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Alabama LPN Licensing Requirements
Licensure by Examination
After completion of the nursing program accredited by the Alabama Board of Nursing, you need to clear the NCLEX-PN exam to get the LPN license. An applicant is required to submit the following in order to apply for a licensure:
- Licensure by Exam application
- An $85 Application Fee, $3.50 Transaction Fee, and $50 Temporary Permit Fee via debit or credit card
- Proof of the Legal Presence/Citizenship of the United States
- Social Security Number
- Name, address, and birth date proof
- Your graduation date and nursing school's program code
- An official transcript from your nursing school in a sealed envelope (the Board will not accept faxed transcripts)
While applying, keep in mind that your name on the application should match the same as on the identifications you will provide.
For applying online for licensure by examination in the state of Alabama, click here.
Aspirants who did their graduation from a nursing school out of the United States need to submit the following documents in order to gain the license-
- Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) Certification Program (CP) – It is one of the most important documents that candidates are asked to submit. It must demonstrate that you have passed one of the accepted English language proficiency exams and CGFNS Qualifying Exam.
- Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) Professional Report – The CES Professional Report incorporates a detailed evaluation of credentials earned at various levels of nursing education, received outside the U.S., as per specific state's requirements.
Licensure by Endorsement
Apart from the above requirements (licensure by examination), the aspirants are expected to fulfill the below-mentioned requisites as well:
- Complete your LPN course from a nursing school that meets the educational standards equivalent to the nursing program of Alabama.
- Submit documents that depict completion of 24 hours of CE within the past 2 years.
- Request your original state of licensure to submit verification of your LPN license to the Alabama Board of Nursing.
There are 2 methods of verification:
1. Through Nursys- Visit the site of Nursys to find out if your original state of licensure participates in Nursys verification service. If so, request verification as per instructions on the site.
2. Verification Form- If your original state of licensure does not participate in Nursys verification service, you need to request via verification form.
In order to apply online for licensure by endorsement in the state of Alabama, click here.
Alabama Nursing License Renewal
LPN license in Alabama remains valid for two calendar years. All Licensed Practical Nurses can renew their license only in odd years from 1st September to 30th November. The renewal fee is $78.50 ($3.50 online fee + $75.00 renewal fee). If you fail to renew the license on time, you will have to pay additional $150.00 as late renewal fee (from 1st December to 31st December).
Reinstatement of the LPN License in Alabama
For reinstatement, you need to fulfill the following requirements:
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- You must be a legal resident or citizen of the US.
- Citizens of the US can download the form from here.
- Non-citizens can download the form from here.
Submit the relevant form with requisite documents to the Alabama Board of Nursing.
- Submit online application along with the fees.
- Submit the reinstatement fee.
- For Lapsed- A reinstatement fee of $225 and transaction fee of $3.50
- For Revoked- $750
- For Retired-(i) Within 2 years of retired status- $575
(ii) After 2 years of retired status- $225
- For Deployed- $75
- Before submission of the application, the applicants must complete 24 contact hours of CE within past 2 years.
Average Annual Salary of Practical Nurses in Alabama
Practical nursing professionals are paid quite well all over the United States of America. In the state of Alabama, according to indeed.com, the average salary of these nurses was $52,000 per annum (as of April 23, 2016). As per the report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, mean annual and hourly wages of LPNs were $36,100 and $17.36, respectively.
Average Annual Salaries for Various Job Titles in Alabama
| Job Titles |
Salary |
| Long Term Care LPN |
$27,000 |
| Renal Dialysis Nurse |
$53,000 |
| LPN Ambulatory |
$34,000 |
| Nurse RN LPN |
$50,000 |
| CNA Medical Surgical |
$28,000 |
| Nar Nursing Assistant Hope |
$25,000 |
| Clinical Nurse LPN |
$38,000 |
| LPN Primary Care |
$47,000 |
| Patient Care Technician Student |
$17,000 |
| Medical Assistant Family Practice |
$29,000 |
| Correctional Prison Facility LPN |
$23,000 |
| LPN Cma Rma |
$31,000 |
| LPN Long Term Care |
$33,000 |
| LPN LVN |
$41,000 |
| Psychiatric Nurse |
$58,000 |
Information Source: indeed.com (as of April 23, 2016)
From the above table, it can be concluded that the highest salary (i.e. $58,000) in Alabama was of Psychiatric Nurses, while the lowest paid professionals were the Patient Care Technician Students with $17,000 per annum.
Average Annual Salaries of LPNs in Various Cities of Alabama
| Name of the City |
Salary |
| Auburn |
$38,824 |
| Birmingham |
$41,932 |
| Dothan |
$38,092 |
| Decatur |
$39,408 |
| Gadsden |
$40,266 |
| Florence |
$37,418 |
| Huntsville |
$43,677 |
| Georgiana |
$37,433 |
| Montgomery |
$41,376 |
| Mobile |
$41,105 |
| Prattville |
$41,376 |
| Tuscaloosa |
$37,625 |
| Tanner |
$43,677 |
Information Source: salary.com (as of July 29, 2016)
The above table shows that the highest paying cities for LPNs were Huntsville and Tanner with $43,677 per annum. On the other hand, Florence paid the least salary (i.e., $37,418) to these professionals.
Job Outlook
As per the BLS (as of May 2015), 14,200 LPNs were employed in the state of Alabama. A hike of 16% in the employment opportunities for licensed practical nurses in the US by the year 2024 is anticipated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nurses who are willing to work in medically underserved and rural areas will have bright prospects. Outpatient care centers, hospitals, extended care facilities and nursing homes are among the top employers for these professionals. By working overtime and during weekends, LPNs can add to their income. Moreover, they can pursue higher education by opting LPN to RN transition program.
Visit – Sample NCLEX-PN Practice Test Questions
