8 Best LPN Programs in Washington | Accredited Online LPN Programs 2025
An increasing demand for licensed practical nurses in Washington is resulting in expansion of existing accredited LPN programs. Many on this list offer online and in-person classes.
These accredited online LPN programs provide nursing skills that can be used in long-term care, mental health, and other healthcare settings. A certificate can be a gateway to a BSN (registered nurse) degree or a satisfying position as a nursing assistant. Most programs are part of larger nursing schools, providing a start on the path to further education.
Accredited LPN Programs Online in Washington
If you're interested in helping people, one of the online LPN schools can build your career. Community-based programs include cheap online colleges that accept FAFSA that offer one-year LPN programs in Washington. All are reputable programs accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and other authorities. Consider the following:
1. Green River College
Green River College offers the best LPN program with three different enrollment options: full-time, part-time hybrid, and part-time online, with acceptance rates around 25%. All program options are 90 credits but vary in how much time it takes to graduate. The nine-month LPN program is only for full-time in-person students�hybrid and online programs take 17 months to complete.
If you're interested in the online LPN program, you will still have to attend in-person classes every Saturday for eight hours. Currently, 92% of graduates pass the NCLEX-PN, making this program well worth the tuition of $7,000 for full-time and $8,000 for part-time students.
2. Edmonds College
Edmonds College has a part-time LPN program that takes 21 months to complete and costs around $9,000. This program caters to students already working in healthcare with online theory classes and in-person requirements only being one or two days per week.
Over 89% of the students pass the NCLEX-PN on their first attempt and 95% are employed within the first six months after graduation. Students who want to further their nursing career can easily do so since Edmonds has an LPN Direct Transfer Agreement pathway, allowing students to easily enroll in registered nurse (RN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs.
3. Bellingham Technical College
Bellingham Technical College offers the quickest part-time LPN programs since it is just six quarters long and can be completed in 18 months. On-campus attendance is required for nursing courses, but the following are some LPN online class options:
- introduction to statistics
- human anatomy and physiology
- introduction to chemistry
- English composition
- general psychology
- general biology
The cost per credit hour is $219, for a program total of $15,000 including tuition and fees. Financial aid programs specific to working adults are available through BTC, such as grants for career advancement.
4. Yakima Valley College
Yakima Valley College offers a partially online accredited LPN program that can be completed in a year as long as students have finished the prerequisite courses, which are available online. This Tacoma college boasts a higher-than-80% passing rate for the NCLEX-PN state licensure exam, making it worth the $3,742 yearly cost after the state underwrites tuition.
Motivated high school students can enroll in the Running Start program, which lets them take the prerequisite courses for free. Plus, graduates are automatically eligible for the Washington State LPN to RN Nursing (ADN) program if they want to further their nursing career.
5. Bates Technical College
Practical nursing certificate students may enroll in full-time, part-time, or hybrid classes at Bates Technical College, which has the most flexible options. Students choose either an 80-credit Certificate of Competency or a 90-credit Associate of Applied Science (AAS). Low-cost classes, at $148 per credit hour for in-state residents, have driven up demand, so the Tacoma-based college is doubling the size of its LPN program.
Plus, Bates gives students access to child care, transportation to and from college, and the ability to transfer to an ADN or BSN bridge program. Academic standards remain the same, allowing for LPN online classes like English and math on the Canvas platform. Nursing classes require in-person attendance for evaluations in hands-on scenarios.
6. Olympic College
Olympic College's LPN program, approved by the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON), is based at its Bremerton campus, but basic required classes in English or psychology may be taken at any campus or through online learning. In-state tuition costs are about $360 per credit hour or about $17,500 per year. Even though this program is a bit more expensive, 100% of LPN graduates passed the state NCLEX-PN licensure, according to the college's most recent report.
7. Spokane Community College
The LPN certificate from Spokane Community College is a full-time program that starts in the winter and summer. SCC students must complete prerequisite classes, many of which can be taken online. Like Yakima Valley College, SCC also participates in the Running Start program that allows high school students to take college classes.
In-state tuition and fees for the LPN certificate total about $11,300 for in-state residents and $14,740 for out-of-state students. The school, accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, has a pass rate of 90% for the NCLEX-PN state licensure test.
8. Clover Park Technical School
Clover Park Technical School's three-quarter LPN certificate program begins each fall and spring and is convenient for students near Olympia. About 85% of students pass the state licensure NCLEX-PN test upon completion. The cost for residents is $1,275 per quarter or $3,281 for non-residents; plus students have access to campus childcare.
The curriculum's online accredited LPN program includes 11 prerequisites such as biology, English, and psychology. Any online courses for LPNs or those completed elsewhere require nursing students to request transfer credit approval. High school students interested in nursing care can take free classes through the Running Start program.
Our Selection Criteria
Accreditation is a key component of this list of the best full- and part-time LPN programs in Washington as programs must be aligned with state standards to prepare students. Transparency in policies, graduation rates, and costs is also a significant aspect of our evaluation.
- Financial aid: Colleges listed here accept FAFSA, the federal student loan application, to make classes affordable.
- Accessibility: Student services find ways to accommodate learning styles and needs.
- Certified: Each program listed is certified by the Washington State Board of Nursing.
- NCLEX-PN pass rate: We chose colleges that ensure LPN graduates are well-prepared for passing the NCLEX-PN.
What To Expect From a Licensed Practical Nurse Program
In a licensed practical nurse program, you must first complete specific prerequisite classes with a minimum grade. Some classes you'll need to have received around a 2.0 GPA on include:
- biology
- anatomy and physiology
- English composition
- psychology
- statistics
Once accepted in the LPN program, you'll take required LPN classes, participate in practical experience, and take the NCLEX-PN test for licensing.
Fast-Track LPN Programs in Washington
Fast-track LPN programs allow students to complete all requirements quickly. Washington has several 12-month LPN programs, but a six-month LPN program would require significant transfer credits if allowed. Colleges in other states may accredit fast-track programs of less than a year, but before enrolling, find out if it meets your state's licensing requirements.
Two Washington colleges offer nine-month LPN programs for certificate completion:
- Bates Technical College has a three-quarter, full-time program that allows completion in about nine months.
- Green River College has a three-semester program that can be accomplished in about nine months of full-time study.
Read More: What Is the Fastest Way To Become an LPN?
FAQs About Online LPN Programs With Accreditation in Washington State
If you still have questions about LPN programs in Washington, we've answered some of the most commonly asked questions below.
What Is the Easiest LPN Program To Get Into in Washington?
Community college-based programs with multiple start times each year can be easy to get into, but admission requirements for certificate programs specify a minimum grade point average.
Yakima Valley Community College's minimum GPA of 2.0 (C) for prerequisite courses is the lowest, as other programs require a 3.0 (B) or better. The math requirement, a 95-level course, is a step below what other programs require, too. In addition to the GPA requirement, students must pass a background check.
How Long Does It Take To Earn Licensure To Become an LPN in Washington?
From beginning to end, it may take as little as two years to complete all of the prerequisite and nursing education courses required for an LPN certificate, but transfer credits, the availability of online courses, and waitlists for programs produce varying results.
How Do Online LPN Programs Work?
Online LPN programs require basic undergraduate courses in English and math as foundations for nursing classes. After those online courses for LPNs are complete, students attend most classes on campus to satisfy evaluations such as monitoring blood pressure. The yearlong portion of in-person classes, labs, and required internships or practical skills can be time-consuming, so working a full-time job might be difficult to do.
Find an Online LPN Program Today
If caring for people is your goal in life, the best LPN programs highlighted on Learn.org could be your path to the future. Take a look at our lists of fastest programs, online programs, and state-by-state programs for information.