Online LPN Programs in North Carolina: Find NCBON Approved Options
Looking to become a nurse in North Carolina? Hybrid/online licensed practical nursing (LPN) programs in NC give you the chance to earn a credential in a flexible and affordable setting. Use this guide to learn how these programs work, how much the cost, what it means to be “board-approved”, and, ultimately, how to find the right school for you.
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From the Experts: Finding an LPN Program in North Carolina that Works for You
Our rankings surface the highest-quality LPN programs available to North Carolina students, but quality is just the starting point. The right program is one that fits where you live, what your schedule allows, and where you want to work after graduation. Our nursing experts share what they think matters most when making this choice in North Carolina.
NC Has Urgent Workforce Demand
North Carolina is facing a shortage of over 5,000 LPNs by 2033, with long-term care settings expected to be severely understaffed. While nationwide nursing demand is high, this is unusually strong. It means LPNs who build experience in skilled nursing and assisted living early in their careers are going to have leverage over salary and scheduling in ways that weren’t true a decade ago.
Affordable Path with Bridge Options
North Carolina is one of the more affordable states to get your LPN, with relatively low tuition at many community colleges. The state also offers a number of LPN-to-RN bridge programs, making it easier to continue your education when you’re ready.
How Online LPN Programs Work in NC
Becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in North Carolina offers a relatively fast entry into nursing, with many programs completed in about a year. While LPN training can’t be completed fully online due to clinical requirements, hybrid options make the process more flexible.
Here’s what to know as you explore LPN programs in North Carolina:
- Program format: Fully online LPN programs aren’t available, but hybrid programs combine online coursework with required in-person labs and clinical training.
- Course delivery: General education and foundational science courses are often completed online, while nursing courses and clinical experiences take place on campus and at nearby healthcare facilities.
- Time to completion: Most LPN programs take around 12 months, making them a quicker option than RN programs.
- Career scope: LPN training sits between CNA and RN programs, offering greater responsibility and skill development than CNA roles without the longer commitment of an RN program.
Below, we’ve highlighted a few North Carolina LPN programs that demonstrate how quickly and effectively you can prepare for a rewarding nursing career.
Cape Fear Community College
The practical nursing diploma program at Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) provides the skills and knowledge you need to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) and step into the healthcare field.
The 44-credit, full-time program at CFCC is accredited by the North Carolina Board of Nursing. It prepares students to provide direct client care under the supervision of an RN, licensed dentist, or physician. Applications are accepted near the start of the year, and scholarships and financial aid are available.
Duration: 12 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $3,344 in state, $11,792 out of state (plus additional fees)
Admissions Requirements:
- CFCC general admission application
- Official high school transcript or equivalent
- Official college transcripts (if any)
- Associates degree, high school GPA of 2.8 or higher, or other specified educational achievements through various schools or coursework
- 2.5 GPA in any coursework completed at CFCC
- Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) with a minimum score of 50 in each section
- Filed Intent to Apply
- Medical report
- Drug screening
- CPR certification
- Criminal background check
Core Curriculum:
- General education coursework (English, Psychology, Anatomy and Physiology classes)
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Practical Nursing
- General Psychology
- Writing and Inquiry
- Developmental Psychology
- Practical Nursing
Guilford Technical Community College
At Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC), the practical nursing program prepares you to take the NCLEX-PN. Upon successful completion, you should be able to plan, implement, and evaluate nursing care under the supervision of an RN or other licensed healthcare professional. The program requires 41 to 44 credits and is approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
Once fully licensed as an LPN, you can work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, physicians’ offices, and more. Admission is competitive, with 30 spots available for students each fall. GTCC offers financial aid.
Duration: 12 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $5,000 in state, $12,607 out of state (plus $2,290 for books/supplies)
Admissions Requirements:
- GTCC general admission
- Online program information session
- College readiness in English and math
- Competency in biology
- CNA certification
- TEAS exam with minimum score of 66
- Application
- Office of Inspector General (OIG) review
- Background check
- Drug screening
Core Curriculum:
- Writing and Inquiry
- Practical Nursing
- General Psychology
- Anatomy and Physiology
Craven Community College
Through the practical nursing diploma program from Craven Community College, you’ll learn to provide evidence-based nursing care and individualized treatment under the direction of an RN or other healthcare professional.
Delve into the ethical and legal aspects of being an LPN, practice professional nursing behaviors, and focus on culturally competent, client-centered care for patients of all ages. This 45-credit program holds the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA). Applications are due in March, and classes begin in August.
Duration: 12 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $2,114 in state, $4,898 out of state (plus $1,300 books/supplies)
Admissions Requirements:
- Practical Nursing application
- TEAS completion
- Current unrestricted CNA listing
- Developmental requirements for general education courses
- Chemistry course of C grade or higher
- High school diploma or GED
- High school transcript
- GPA of 2.5
- CPR certification
Core Curriculum:
- College Student Success
- Basic Anatomy and Physiology
- General and Developmental Psychology
- Practical Nursing
- Writing and Inquiry
Online LPN FAQs for Students
While you’ve learned a lot about LPN programs in North Carolina, you might still have lingering questions. Here are some of the most common queries along with their answers.
What skills do you learn in LPN programs in NC?
The bulk of what an LPN student learns involves nursing medical theory and nursing practice. You’ll learn about scientific concepts relating to processes of the human body, and you’ll explore professional behaviors, caring interventions, effective communication, and more.
Students also learn hands-on skills such as taking vital signs and conducting patient assessments. Finally, nursing practice instruction includes policy- and rules-driven topics, such as ethics, professional behavior, and healthcare delivery systems.
How much do LPN programs cost in North Carolina?
North Carolina residents attending one of the many community colleges in the state can expect to earn their practical nursing diplomas for roughly $3,000 to $6,000.
Additionally, you can typically pay by semester instead of paying the full price up front, allowing you to plan for expenses and put money aside throughout the year. Keep in mind that base tuition rates don’t include school fees, books and supplies, transportation to campus and clinicals, and technology for online classes.
Can I get financial aid to help pay for my LPN program in North Carolina?
Yes, many LPN programs in North Carolina offer financial aid, including grants, scholarships, and student loans. Most grants and scholarships are offered by nonprofit groups and corporations. However, some schools, such as CFCC, offer scholarships through their foundation, and some of these scholarships are exclusively for nursing students.
As you’re looking for the most affordable online LPN programs, keep each program’s length in mind. Fast-track (aka accelerated) LPN programs can put you in the workforce a bit faster, which means you’ll start earning money a bit faster as well.
How long do LPN programs in North Carolina take to finish?
With full-time study, the typical student graduates with 42-45 credits in about one year by taking courses year-round during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Some schools also offer courses during evenings and weekends.
If you’re interested in taking your education even further, LPN to associate degree in nursing programs and LPN to bachelor of science in nursing programs are an excellent option. Many of these programs are designed for working nurses, so you can maintain your LPN career as you continue your education.
What’s the difference between CNAs and LPNs?
While CNAs provide basic personal care directly to the patient, LPNs perform more medically centered tasks. CNA responsibilities are focused on helping patients with activities of daily living. For example, a CNA might assist with bathing, dressing, feeding, and repositioning patients. While CNAs spend quality time with patients and make a difference in their care and recovery, their level of responsibility is limited.
LPNs spend more time on healthcare roles and less time on personal care. LPNs perform the following tasks:
- Check blood pressure, temperature, and other vital signs
- Change bandages
- Discuss care with patients
- Report information to other members of the healthcare team
- Document patient care
- Maintain health records
Many LPN programs require you to already have a CNA license. Convenient CNA to LPN bridge programs are designed to help you quickly move on to the next stage of your nursing career.
North Carolina LPN Certification Explained
North Carolina is like most other states regarding LPN licensing. Its general requirements include:
- Graduating from an LPN program approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing
- Passing the NCLEX-PN
- Application for licensure
- Passing a criminal background check
Before you can earn your license, you must first graduate from an LPN program that’s approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing. Programs may also be accredited by either the ACEN or the NLN CNEA.
Most LPN programs take about a year. When you’re done, you’ll be ready to pass the NCLEX-PN and get your license to practice. At least two weeks before finishing your LPN program, register and schedule your exam with Pearson VUE, the test administrator. You’ll also need to sign up on the NC Board of Nursing Nurse Portal, provide your background information, and pay the $75 application fee.
The last major component of the licensing process is the criminal background check. This consists of passing both state-based and FBI criminal history checks. If you’re a North Carolina resident, you can usually complete this by submitting electronic fingerprint scans through a local law enforcement office. Once you receive your license, it’ll be good for two years.
North Carolina LPN Pay and Opportunities
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | $50,480 | $63,270 | $74,730 |
| Asheville, NC | $50,280 | $65,470 | $75,070 |
| Burlington, NC | $56,580 | $63,450 | $77,970 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $51,210 | $65,140 | $76,370 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $50,190 | $66,950 | $76,190 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $54,100 | $64,670 | $77,650 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $48,960 | $60,470 | $71,310 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $49,900 | $63,610 | $74,670 |
| Greenville, NC | $51,680 | $61,600 | $68,400 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $51,000 | $62,430 | $72,130 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $49,440 | $60,770 | $74,940 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $48,400 | $61,730 | $70,790 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $51,780 | $64,080 | $75,770 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $50,840 | $62,080 | $71,020 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $51,230 | $64,370 | $77,320 |
| Wilmington, NC | $51,640 | $63,390 | $72,470 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $52,000 | $62,970 | $72,600 |
Source: Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025
Data does not reflect school-specific information.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 651,400 | 668,500 | 17,100 | 2.6% | 54,400 |
| North Carolina | 17,700 | 18,560 | 860 | 4.8% | 1,540 |
Source: Projections Central, 2024-2034
