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Inside Look at Online LVN Programs in Texas

Learn about partially-online, state-approved programs that can help prepare you for a career caring for patients as an LVN in Texas.

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If you’re passionate about making a difference in patients’ lives and want to pursue a future in healthcare, an online LVN program from a Texas community college or vocational school might be the perfect choice for you. With flexible remote coursework combined with convenient in-person clinical experiences, you can fulfill the necessary education and credentialing requirements to become a licensed LVN in Texas.

This guide covers everything you need to know about online LVN nursing programs in Texas. You will learn which programs are fully-accredited and state-approved, what the Texas LVN licensing requirements are, and what the job market expectations are after you graduate. At the end, you’ll be ready to make an informed decision about your future of becoming an LVN.

How Do Online LVN Programs in Texas Work?

While fully online LVN programs in Texas are limited, the good news is that colleges and vocational schools are increasingly incorporating distance learning into their LVN programs. It’s possible that you might be able to find online study options available for LVN programs at your local school’s campus. Students who opt for online LVN programs can expect similar curriculum to what is delivered on-campus. The majority of online LVN programs are delivered in either fully online or hybrid formats, both of which offer online coursework that students can fit around their personal schedules.

Online LVN students are usually required to attend in-person clinical experiences at the same local facilities and at the same time as on-campus students. Some online programs may offer weekend clinicals, but this varies by institution. Most online LVN programs require full-time attendance for 12 months, although part-time study options may also be available. After completing your online LVN program and meeting the necessary requirements, you will be eligible to take the Texas-required NCLEX-PN exam, just like those who graduate from traditional on-campus programs. For a more detailed look at LVN distance learning, check out EduMed’s Inside Online LPN and LVN Programs guide and explore programs near you below.

Find Texas LVN Programs in a City Near You

Texas LVN Program Online Spotlights

We’ve surveyed online LVN programs throughout Texas to find some of the best ones for 2023, including the two featured below. These programs were selected based on several factors including accreditation, study flexibility and convenience, strong student support services, high NCLEX-PN exam pass rates, and affordability. Both of these programs are fully approved by the Texas Board of Nursing. If you live near one of these schools, the online LVN program they offer may be perfect for you. If you don’t live nearby, these two spotlights will give you a good idea of what you should expect from the online LVN program at your local college.

Blinn College District

Blinn-College-District

Blinn College District, located approximately halfway between Austin and Houston, offers an online-blended vocational nursing certificate program that prepares graduates to become highly-competent LVNs capable of working in a range of nursing settings. The curriculum consists of online coursework, on-campus labs, and in-person clinical experiences completed at program-affiliated facilities located throughout the La Grange and Brenham areas. This 12-month, 39-credit program begins with the fall term and continues through the spring and summer terms. Blinn online LVN students have access to the same support services as on-campus students, including admissions, academic and career counseling, and job search services.

Admission into the online program is competitive, with only 10 positions open each term. Entrance requirements and admissions criteria include high school transcripts, a Texas Success Initiative status of ready or exempt, and completion of the ATI Testing of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) examination with a composite score of 65% or better. Students accepted into the program must additionally complete a drug screening and pass a criminal background check.

North Central Texas College

North Central Texas College

North Central Texas College’s 12-month online E-campus LVN certificate program is a true “blended” program, combining online coursework during the week with in-person labs and clinical experiences on the weekends. E-campus students are required to come to the Gainesville campus or the student’s assigned clinical facility every Saturday and Sunday for the entire year of the program. Clinical experiences are carried out at program-assigned hospitals, clinics, physician offices, long-term care facilities, and home health settings in the surrounding Gainesville area. The online program is offered through NCTC’s Gainesville campus and begins once each year with the spring term. The 42-credit curriculum is completed over three semesters in the spring, summer, and fall.

To be admitted into NCTC’s online E-campus LVN program, applicants must attend a mandatory program information session, apply and be accepted into NCTC, apply to the LVN program, and take the TEAS examination. Admission into the program is competitive and based on the applicant’s performance on the TEAS exam.

LVN Licensing Information and Requirements in Texas

Like every other state, Texas has specific requirements for obtaining vocational nurse licensure and practicing nursing within its borders. It is essential that you familiarize yourself with those requirements before starting any LVN certificate program. LVN initial licensure and license renewals are administered by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). Take a look at the major requirements that must be met to obtain your LVN license in Texas.

Education and Training

All LVN license applicants must hold either a high school diploma or GED and graduate from a BON-approved Texas LVN nursing program. The BON additionally recognizes graduates from pre-licensure nursing programs outside of the state that are accredited and approved by the governing agency of the program’s home state. Out-of-state graduates can be approved by the BON to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam and apply for Texas LVN licensure. The education requirement may also be met by applicants trained internationally through the submission of a credential evaluation service course report. International applicants must also pass an English proficiency exam. More information on Texas LVN license education requirements can be found on the BON webpage.

Professional Nursing Examination

Texas requires that all LVN license applicants take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). The NCLEX-PN consists of 85 to 205 mostly multiple-choice questions covering four major client needs categories: safe and effective care environment, health promotion and maintenance, psychosocial integrity, and physiological integrity. Test-takers are allowed a maximum of five hours to complete the exam. The exam is taken in person at one of the over 240 Pearson Professional Center sites throughout the U.S. Grading is pass or fail with no numerical score.

Fingerprinting and Criminal Background Check

Fingerprinting and criminal background checks are required of all Texas LVN license applicants. Electronic fingerprinting is mandated and must be performed at one of the over 80 IdentoGo centers located throughout the state. The criminal background check is conducted by the FBI and Texas Department of Public Safety based on the submitted fingerprints.

Texas Nursing Jurisprudence Exam and Preparatory Course

In addition to the NCLEX-PN exam, Texas LVN license applicants must take and pass the Texas Nursing Jurisprudence Examination (NJE). The NJE consists of 50 questions that cover Texas rules and regulations governing nursing practice. The test is online and open book and must be completed prior to sitting for the NCLEX-PN. Detailed information on the NJE and information on the BON’s exam prep course and other study resources can be found on the Texas Nursing Jurisprudence Exam webpage.

License Renewal & Continuing Education

Initial LVN licensure in Texas is for six to 29 months as determined by the licensee’s birthdate. Renewal periods are two years each. Licenses must be renewed prior to the expiration of the initial period and all subsequent renewal periods. Starting with the second renewal, all LVN license holders must complete 20 BON-approved continuing nursing education (CNE) contact hours in an area of the licensee’s practice. Alternatively, license renewal applicants may demonstrate maintenance of a BON-approved national nursing certification within the licensing period and meet applicable targeted continuing education requirements. Detailed information on LVN license renewal and continuing education requirements is available on the BON’s Education – Continuing Competency Requirements webpage.

Salaries and Job Demand for LVNs in Texas

Money and job security are crucial factors in choosing any career, including vocational nursing. Here’s a look at figures for current salaries and predicted job growth for Texas LVNs.

Are LVNs in high demand in Texas?

The job outlook for vocational nurses is bright in Texas and throughout the nation. The U.S. Board of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates a national job growth rate for LVNs at twice that of all occupations combined from 2018-2028, and job outlook figures for Texas LVNs are right in line with national figures. The reasons for this exceptional job growth include an aging baby-boomer population that will require long-term care in their homes and in residential care facilities and increases in the number of patients with chronic illnesses such as obesity and diabetes.

Job Outlook for Licensed Vocational Nurses in Texas

Employment (2018) New Jobs (2018-2028) Job Growth Rate (2018-2028) Average Annual Openings (2018-2028)
Texas 74,390 7,950 10.70% 6,770
United States 728,900 78,100 10.70% 66,300

Source: Projections Central

How much do LVNs make in Texas?

Although LVN salaries are lower than those of registered nurses and nurse practitioners, they still surpass the earnings of many other professions that require an associate or bachelor’s degree. In Texas, LVN’s median annual earnings are $48,520, which is consistent with national figures. Check out the table below to see how much you could earn in your area.

Annual Earnings for Licensed Vocational Nurses in Texas

Location 10th Percentile Median 90th Percentile

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2022

Similar Entry-Level Online Nursing Programs in Texas

If you’re interested in a nursing-related career but not sure that being an LVN is for you, here are two alternative education options leading to entry-level nursing positions in Texas:

Online CNA Classes in Texas

Certified nurse aides (CNAs) provide basic assistive patient care, such as help with personal hygiene and other daily necessities, in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and related facilities. CNA programs in Texas are shorter than those for LVNs and are available from community colleges and vocational schools throughout the state. Programs are typically on campus but may include some coursework that can be completed online. All CNA programs include in-person practice hours in clinical settings. Certification of CNAs in Texas is administered by the Texas Health & Human Services Commission.

Online ADN Programs in Texas

An Associate Degree in nursing (ADN) provides training in basic nursing competencies. Graduates of properly-accredited Texas ADN programs are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN, a requirement for obtaining RN licensure in the state. ADN programs designated as fully online or partially online are hard to find in Texas, but schools in the state typically offer online courses that fulfill ADN curriculum general education requirements.

Texas LVN Student and Professional Resources

  • Licensed Vocational Nurses Association of Texas (LVNAT) Established in 1950, LVNAT is the professional association of LVNs in Texas. LVNAT members have access to a range of association resources and benefits, including attending the association’s annual conference and other networking events, the LVNAT newsletter, and more.
  • RGV Nurses Facebook Group This Facebook group provides professional information, advice, and social networking to its over 2,500 members. The group is private, so membership is required to access content. Membership is open to LVNs and RNs practicing in the Rio Grande Valley area.
  • Scholarships and Online Resources for LVN Students This guide explores scholarship opportunities for vocational nursing students, many of which are open to Texas LVN students. You’ll also find spotlights of vocational nursing programs with exemplary student support services and a list of great online resources to help you succeed in your LVN program studies.
  • Texas Board of Nursing The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) is the state’s government agency that approves nursing education programs and administers nursing licensure, including licensure of LVNs. The BON website provides detailed information on licensure requirements and the licensing process, as well as access to a number of useful resources, including online CNE programs.
  • Texas School Nurses Organization (TSNO) As an affiliate chapter of the National Association of School Nurses, the TSNO is a professional association of school nurses and supporters whose mission is to promote and enhance school nurse practice in support of student well-being and readiness to learn.