Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Programs in Utah
Nursing is a profession dedicated to care and support as well as advising and educating patients. If you want to give to your community and help patients in diverse medical settings, consider becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN).
An LPN can be a fulfilling career or the first step toward earning your registered nurse (RN) certification.
Below, you’ll find LPN programs in Utah, including average costs and time to complete. You’ll also find tips on scholarships and grants to fund your education, plus average salaries in this field.
Quick Facts
- According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 2023, Utah had less than one LNP per 1,000 people, the lowest rate in the nation.
- Employment for LPNs in Utah is projected to grow by over 24% between 2022-2032 — over eight times the national average.
- You could become an LPN in Utah in under a year.
- The industries in Utah that employ the most LPNs are skilled nursing facilities and long-term care (38%) and home health and hospice (36%).
Featured Online Healthcare Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Compare LPN Programs in Utah
The following schools are all nonprofit, accredited institutions that offer state-approved practical nursing programs. The schools are unranked and listed alphabetically.
Compare details like program length, format, and cost to find the best LPN program for you.
Bridgerland Technical College (BTECH)
- Certificate (in-person or hybrid)
- 26 credits
- $95 per credit
✔ Board-approved
✔ ACEN-accredited
Bridgerland Technical College in Logan is a comprehensive full-time, two-semester certificate program that prepares you to take the NCLEX-PN licensing exam and become an LPN. You’ll gain hands-on training through laboratory simulations, experiential clinical practice, and competency-based training.
The curriculum includes the fundamentals of nursing, drug therapy, workplace relations, clinical applications, pharmacology, caring for adults and new families, and employment preparation.
Davis Technical College
- Certificate (in-person)
- 26 credits
- $95 per credit
✔ Board-approved
✔ ACEN-accredited
Davis Technical College in Kaysville, just outside of Salt Lake City, offers a 10-month full-time practical nursing (PN) program at its main campus to prepare you for the NCLEX-PN exam. Courses include nursing care of diverse populations, nursing across the lifespan, pharmacological nursing care, and a patient-focused care clinical.
Dixie Technical College
- Certificate (in-person)
- 27 credits
- $105 per credit
✔ Board-approved
✔ ACEN-accredited
Dixie Technical College in St. George offers a PN program that prepares you to become a competent practical nurse with a broad understanding of body systems, patient care, and pharmacology. You’ll have the chance to work with state-of-the-art mannequins in preparation for clinical experiences.
This 10-course program offers three start dates per year. You’ll learn through a mix of lectures, lab simulations, and clinical practice. You must currently be a certified nursing assistant (CNA) in Utah to be admitted to the program.
Mountainland Technical College
- Certificate (in-person)
- 23 credits
- $120 per credit
✔ Board-approved
✔ ACEN-accredited
Mountainland Technical College offers a two-semester, full-time practical nursing program at its Lehi campus and prepares you to take the NCLEX-PN exam. In 2023, MTECH reported an impressive 88% completion rate and a 74% placement rate for its program.
To apply, you must be a CNA and have completed basic life support training through the American Heart Association. Applications are open from May 15-June 15 for a fall start and October 15-November 15 for a spring start.
Ogden-Weber Technical College
- Certificate (in-person)
- 28 credits
- $95 per credit
✔ Board-approved
✔ ACEN-accredited
Ogden-Weber Technical College in Ogden offers a PN program that prepares you to utilize the clinical judgment model to determine a patient’s healthcare needs and demonstrate ethical, patient-focused care professionally. You’ll learn to integrate the latest research, trends, and technology to organize and manage nursing practice.
OTECH reports that at least 90% of program graduates pass the NCLEX-PN licensing exam on their first try and at least 75% of students complete the program in two semesters.
Uintah Basin Technical College
- Practical Nursing (in-person)
- 26 credits
- $100 per credit
✔ Board-approved
✔ ACEN-accredited
Uintah Basin Technical College in Roosevelt offers a nursing program that prepares you for the NCLEX-PN licensing exam. You can complete the program during the daytime cohort in 34 weeks or through evening courses in 41 weeks.You’ll gain an understanding of simple and complex body systems alike. The program incorporates the theory and application of nursing principles in simulated labs followed by care facilities under faculty supervision.UBTech reports that over 90% of recent graduates found steady employment in nursing.
Utah State University
- Certificate (in-person)
- 22 credits
- $95 per credit
✔ Board-approved
✔ ACEN-accredited
Utah State University offers a one-year PN program that prepares you to take the NCLEX-PN licensing exam. This full-time, in-person program is offered at USU’s Blanding, Moab, and Price campuses. You’ll learn basic patient care, including how to administer medication, monitor health, and provide comfort.
The curriculum includes medical-surgical, mental health, and family health nursing, plus pharmacology and basic nursing skills. USU reports that graduates go on to work in hospitals, physician’s offices, and nursing facilities.
Why Approval and Accreditation Matter
Attending an accredited school is essential when preparing to become an LPN. It ensures that you receive the training and qualifications necessary to apply for and pass the NCLEX-PN licensing exam. Look for colleges that hold institutional accreditation to demonstrate the strength of the entire college.
Additionally, the best LPN programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), which ensures a rigorous nursing curriculum that will prepare you to become an LPN in under a year. Programs should also be approved by the Utah Board of Nursing and Certified Nurse Midwives.
How to Fund a Utah LPN Program
To pay for a Utah LPN program, you can start by filling out the FAFSA to access federal loan, grant, and scholarship programs. You can also apply for scholarships through your school’s admissions office.
Utah offers several scholarships for nursing students, including the Utah Student Nurse Association scholarships and the Utah Nurse Foundation Nursing Scholarship. There are many state grants that can help you become an LPN with fewer out-of-pocket costs.
How to Become an LPN in Utah
To become an LPN in Utah you need to complete a board-approved practical nursing program and apply for licensure. By earning an LPN certificate you could begin working as an LPN in under a year. Here are the steps to take:
- 1
Complete a state-approved practical nursing program.
In Utah, you can enroll in a state-approved, accredited PN program. By completing this program and earning a certificate, you qualify to take the NCLEX-PN exam you need to pass to earn LPN licensure. These programs typically take two semesters of full-time study to complete. If you want to go on to earn an RN certification later, you can apply to continue into an associate degree in nursing program.
- 2
Apply for the NCLEX-PN.
To take the NCLEX-PN through Pearson VUE, you must complete a multistep process that includes the nursing regulatory body (NRB) for your state. In Utah, this is the Utah Board of Nursing and Certified Nurse Midwives. You will need to apply for authorization to take the exam, which you can do online.
- 3
Pass the NCLEX-PN.
To become an LPN, you must pass the NCLEX-PN, which is a pass/fail exam. You have up to five hours to complete the test, and the test is finished when you reach the passing score, you have answered all questions, or the time is up. The test can vary in length and might have anywhere from 75-145 questions. If you fail, you can retake the test after 45 days.
- 4
Maintain your license.
To maintain LPN licensure in Utah, which must be renewed every two years, you must meet one of the following requirements:
- Complete licensed practice of at least 400 hours.
- Complete at least 200 hours of licensed practice with 15 hours of approved continuing education.
- Complete 30 hours of approved continuing education.
You also need to complete at least one approved online suicide prevention training. In Utah, LPN licenses expire on January 31 of even years. You can renew your license online as long as you meet licensure requirements.
Explore Other Programs in Utah
How Much Do LPNs Make in Utah?
The median annual salary for LPNs in Utah is slightly less than the national median salary for LPNs. However, that salary can vary by years of experience, where you live, and the setting in which you work. The top-paying industries for LPNs include management, scientific, and technical consulting services; employment services; insurance carriers; outpatient care centers; and federal, state, and local governments.
According to the BLS, as of May 2023, the top 10% of LPNs nationwide earned $77,870 and higher, while the top 10% of LPNs in Utah earned $74,500 and higher. LPNs in St. George earned the highest median salary of $62,240, followed by $60,580 in Salt Lake City.
Are LPNs in Demand in Utah?
Projected Job Growth for LPNs
Utah (2022-2032)
24.6%
U.S. (2023-2033)
3%
The great news for recent graduates of LPN programs in Utah is that there should be strong job growth over the next decade. According to Projections Central, the growth of LPNs in Utah is about eight times higher than the national projections from the BLS.
The BLS projects 16,900 new LPN jobs nationwide over the next decade. In 2023, Utah was home to 1,420 LPNs, and is expected to have an average of 180 LPN openings per year over the next decade — a significant growth. You can find the most growth in Salt Lake City, Ogden, Orem, Clearfield, and Provo, with fewer openings in central and eastern Utah, St. George, and Logan.
FAQ About LPN Programs in Utah
There are no 100% online LPN programs in Utah or the U.S. All programs require hands-on clinical experience and practice with simulations to build your skills in a short time. However, some programs, such as Bridgerland Technical College, offer a hybrid format, allowing you to take some courses online.
You can also find programs that offer evening classes. For example, Uintah Basin Technical College offers an evening cohort that allows you to complete your LPN in 41 weeks.
