Fast-Track LVN Programs Online in California | Accelerated LPN Programs 2025

Licensed practical nurses, or as they're called in California, licensed vocational nurses, are entry-level nurses who provide basic patient care. To become an LVN, you'll need to complete an LVN program, pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for practical nursing (NCLEX-PN) and fulfill the state of California's LVN requirements.

The best accredited LVN programs teach students the fundamentals of nursing practice. Students who want to speed up their career path can enroll in fast-track LVN program.

These programs often allow students to finish in less than a year and offer a portion of courses online. Keep reading to discover accelerated online LVN programs in California.

Accelerated LVN Programs Online in California

The shortest time to become an LVN depends on the school you choose, but several schools allow you to become an LVN fast, sometimes in less than a year.

In several accelerated LVN programs, online learning is available for some courses. However, because LVN programs require a lot of hands-on learning, you won't be able to take all your courses online. Below, we've highlighted some of the fastest LVN programs in California with some online courses.

1. Lassen Community College

Lassen Community College is a public school in Susanville, CA. It offers a vocational nursing certificate program. This program helps nursing students develop skills that pertain to vocational nursing in the hospital, clinic, and skilled nursing facility setting.

Students who have already completed their prerequisite courses can finish in 11 months. Most of these prerequisite courses are available online, although the nursing courses are only in person. The college had a 100% pass rate for the NCLEX-PN in the most recent exam year. A two-year associate degree in vocational nursing is available as well.

Tuition at LCC is $46 per credit for California residents, or $2,944 for this 64-credit program. However, this does not include additional fees, textbooks, lab costs, or testing costs.

2. Long Beach City College

At Long Beach City College, students can earn a certificate of achievement or an Associate of Science (AS) in vocational nursing. The certificate program runs for three consecutive semesters, allowing students who have completed their prerequisites to finish in less than one year.

Most of the prerequisites, as well as a handful of the nursing courses, are available online. LBCC, located in Long Beach, had a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX-PN in the most recently reported year. On average, California residents here pay $1,556 per year in tuition before books, supplies, and program-specific fees.

3. College of the Desert

College of the Desert offers a vocational nursing certificate as well as an AS in vocational nursing. The public college is based in Palm Desert, CA, and most recently had an NCLEX-PN pass rate of 96%.

The certificate program takes less than a year of full-time study to complete. While all nursing courses are in-person, some of the nutrition and psychology requirements are offered online. The tuition cost for nursing students is about $1,868 per year before additional fees and costs.

4. Antelope Valley College

Antelope Valley College offers a vocational nursing program that takes 12 months to complete. There are three prerequisites necessary, all of which are available online. The nursing courses are only offered in person.

AVC, with a 100% NCLEX-PN pass rate, is located in Lancaster, CA. Its VN program prepares graduates to work in convalescent homes and clinics under the direction of registered nurses and physicians. Tuition for California residents at AVC is $46 per credit. The nursing courses total 41.75 credits, for a tuition total of $1,920.50.

5. Butte College

Butte College is a public community college in Oroville, CA. It offers a three-semester vocational nursing certificate. All prerequisite courses are available online, although the nursing programs are only offered in person.

Students in this program study common medical-surgical conditions, their origin, prevention, and treatment, with an emphasis on the related nursing care. The nursing school has a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX-PN exam in the most current year. It also offers a LVN to registered nurse (RN) associate degree program.

Residents of California have a tuition rate of $46 per unit. As this program requires 49 units, that's a total of $2,254 in tuition costs, not including additional program costs like supplies and textbooks.

6. Palo Verde College

Students at Palo Verde College can complete a fast-track vocational nursing program. This program consists of two full semesters plus a six-week summer term for students who have already completed the prerequisites.

Most prerequisites, luckily, are available online, though students must learn on campus for their nursing courses. The college, located in Blythe, CA, had an NCLEX-PN pass rate of 89% last year.

Like other community colleges in California, this program is $46 per unit. With additional required costs, students can expect to pay about $5,652 for the entire program.

7. Charles A. Jones Career and Education Center

The Charles A. Jones Career and Education Center offers a 39-week vocational nursing program. The public college is based in Sacramento, CA.

While this is the quickest LVN program on this list, it does not offer courses online. The program's most recent NCLEX-PN pass rate was 100%.

Because CAJ is a career center, not a community college, the tuition for this LVN program is $25,000 before books, materials, and other costs. Financial aid, including scholarships and grants, are available to qualifying students.

How We Rank Schools

To choose the fast-track medical LVN programs on this list, we focused on:

• Location: All schools on this list are located in California.
• Accrediation: All schools are institutionally accredited.
• Approval: Every program is approved by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT).
• Fast-track options: We focused on schools that allowed students to complete their program in less than one year.
• Online options: To narrow down this list, we choose schools that offered at least a few of the required courses online.

What To Expect From Fast Track LVN Programs and Licensure

Accelerated LVN programs are designed to help students learn the fundamentals of nursing in less than a year, quickly preparing them to pass the licensure examination and begin their nursing careers.

LVN degree requirements typically include lectures, labs, simulations, and clinical experience. Fast track medical LVN online programs allow students to take some of their coursework online.

Once you've completed your program, you'll be eligible to sit for the NCLEX practical nursing exam. After you pass that, you can obtain your vocational nursing license in the state of California.

What Courses Do You Take in an LVN Program?

Common course topics in LVN programs include:

• basic nursing skills
• medical-surgical nursing
• mental health
• nursing leadership
• nutrition
• patient care
• pediatrics and obstetrics
• pharmacology

These programs help students hone their nursing skills as well as develop core critical thinking and problem-solving skills required in real-world situations.

FAQs About the Fastest Online LVN Programs in California

Below, we've answered a few frequently asked questions about the quickest online LVN programs in California.

What Does a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) Do?

Licensed vocational nurses are entry-level nurses in the nursing field. They provide basic medical care, such as:

• taking vital signs
• helping patients eat, dress, or bathe
• changing bandages
• taking samples for testing
• documenting patient care

The specific jobs an LVN may do can vary by where they work. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, LVNs work in several healthcare settings, including:

• nursing homes and long-term care facilities
• hospitals
• home health care services
• physicians' offices

Many LVNs later choose to continue their education to become registered nurses (RNs). RNs have more medical training and can do things like administer medications and treatments, perform diagnostic tests, and set up patient care plans.

Learn More: LPN Vs. LVN

What Is the Fastest Way To Become an LVN?

The fastest way to become an LVN is to choose a fast-track medical LVN program. Some schools offer six-month LVN programs or even three-month LVN programs, but these are rare. A few schools across the country offer nine-month LVN programs, but you're most likely to find 11 or 12 month programs in California.

Transferring in previously earned credits may help you complete your program faster. Check with your school's admissions department to see what credits will transfer.

How Much Does an Accelerated Online LVN Program Cost?

Accelerated LVN programs can range anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 in California. The total price you pay depends on several factors, such as where you live, what college you attend, and what financial aid you qualify for.

Can I Get Financial Aid for Fast Track LVN Programs?

You can get financial aid for fast-track LVN programs. There are many online colleges that accept financial aid. To ensure you qualify for financial aid, choose an accredited college and fill out your Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA determines what financial aid you're eligible for.

What Are the Admission Requirements for Accelerated LVN Program in California?

Admissions requirements can vary between LVN programs, but common requirements include:

• prerequisite courses, which may include courses like human anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, and psychology
• a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) credential
• a background check
• up-to-date vaccinations
• an entry exam

Most schools post their admissions requirements on their website.

Explore Online Vocational Nursing Programs Today

Fast-track your nursing career by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to specific schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.