§ 25-23-1-12 — Requirements for practical nurse applicants; temporary permits; endorsement license; fees; use of title

(a) A person who applies to the board for a
license to practice as a licensed practical nurse must:
(1) not have been convicted of:
(A) an act which would constitute a ground for disciplinary
sanction under IC 25-1-9; or
(B) a crime that has a direct bearing on the person's ability to
practice competently;
(2) have completed:
(A) the prescribed curriculum and:
(i) met the graduation requirements of a state accredited
program of practical nursing; and
(ii) provided proof of having earned a high school diploma or
its equivalent to the state accredited program;
as determined by the board; or
(B) the prescribed curriculum and graduation requirements of
a nursing education program in a foreign country that is
substantially equivalent to a board approved program as
determined by the board. The board may by rule adopted under
IC 4-22-2 require an applicant under this subsection to
successfully complete an examination approved by the board to
measure the applicant's qualifications and background in the
practice of nursing and proficiency in the English language; and
(3) be physically and mentally capable of, and professionally
competent to, safely engage in the practice of practical nursing as
determined by the board.
An applicant meets the English proficiency requirement under
subdivision (2) if the applicant passes an English course as certified in
the transcript from the board's approved nursing education program or
submits proof of passing the National Council Licensure Examination
(NCLEX) that was taken in only the English language.
(b) The applicant must pass an examination in such subjects as the
board may determine.
(c) The board may issue a temporary licensed practical nurse permit
to practice as a licensed practical nurse applicant to a person who has
initially applied for license by examination, after the board receives the
necessary materials to determine compliance with subsection (a). The
temporary licensed practical nurse permit is valid until the earlier of six
(6) months after issuance or the licensed practical nurse applicant's
examination results under subsection (b) are received. If the licensed
practical nurse applicant does not receive a passing score on the first
examination under subsection (b), the temporary licensed practical
nurse permit is no longer valid.
(d) A licensed practical nurse applicant must:
(1) practice under the supervision of a licensed practical nurse or
registered nurse; and
(2) use the abbreviation "LPNG" after the licensed practical nurse
graduate's name.
(e) The board may issue by endorsement a license to practice as a
licensed practical nurse to an applicant who has been licensed as a
licensed practical nurse, by examination, under the laws of another
state if the applicant presents proof satisfactory to the board that, at the
time of application for an Indiana license by endorsement, the applicant
possesses credentials and qualifications that are substantially
equivalent to requirements in Indiana for licensure by examination. The
board may specify by rule what shall constitute substantial equivalence
under this subsection.
(f) The board shall issue by endorsement or examination a license
to practice as a licensed practical nurse to an applicant who:
(1) is a graduate of a foreign nursing school;
(2) has successfully passed the National Council Licensure
Examination (NCLEX);
(3) provides:
(A) documentation that the applicant has:
(i) taken an examination prepared by the Commission on
Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools International, Inc.
(CGFNS); and
(ii) achieved the passing score required on the examination
at the time the examination was taken;
(B) a satisfactory Credentials Evaluation Service Professional
Report issued by CGFNS;
(C) a VisaScreen Certificate verification letter issued by
CGFNS; or
(D) a satisfactory credential verification assessment from an
organization that is a member of the National Association of
Credential Evaluation Services or any other organization
approved by the board; and
(4) meets the other requirements of this section.
(g) Each applicant for examination and registration to practice as a
practical nurse shall pay:
(1) a fee set by the board; and
(2) if the applicant is applying for a multistate license (as defined
in IC 25-42-1-11) under IC 25-42 (Nurse Licensure Compact), a
fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) in addition to the fee under
subdivision (1);
a part of which must be used for the rehabilitation of impaired
registered nurses and impaired licensed practical nurses. Payment of
the fees shall be made by the applicant before the date of examination.
(h) The lesser of the following amounts from fees collected under
subsection (g) shall be deposited in the impaired nurses account of the
state general fund established by section 34 of this chapter:
(1) Twenty-five percent (25%) of the license application fee per
license applied for under this section.
(2) The cost per license to operate the impaired nurses program,
as determined by the Indiana professional licensing agency.
(i) Any person who holds a license to practice as a licensed practical
nurse in Indiana or under IC 25-42 may use the title "Licensed Practical
Nurse" and the abbreviation "L.P.N.". No other person shall practice or
advertise as or assume the title of licensed practical nurse or use the
abbreviation of "L.P.N." or any other words, letters, signs, or figures to
indicate that the person using them is a licensed practical nurse.
Formerly: Acts 1949, c.159, s.12; Acts 1951, c.34, s.1; Acts
1971, P.L.376, SEC.11. As amended by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.164;
Acts 1982, P.L.113, SEC.59; P.L.169-1985, SEC.73; P.L.149-1987,
SEC.61; P.L.152-1988, SEC.18; P.L.33-1993, SEC.31; P.L.181-2002,
SEC.7; P.L.1-2007, SEC.174; P.L.134-2008, SEC.30; P.L.135-2019,
SEC.3; P.L.156-2020, SEC.104; P.L.69-2022, SEC.6; P.L.148-2023,
SEC.15; P.L.9-2024, SEC.469; P.L.17-2024, SEC.18; P.L.45-2025,
SEC.3.