Where to go to take a LPN exam? I am a MA and want to challenge the test.

Good Morning all,
Maybe you can help me. I am a Medical Assistant and I was told by my teacher that I could challenge the test and become a LPN. Is this true? If so, where do I go. I live in Newport News, VA.

Dee Thornton in Santa Ana, California said: Good Morning all,
Maybe you can help me. I am a Medical Assistant and I was told by my teacher that I could challenge the test and become a LPN. Is this true? If so, where do I go. I live in Newport News, VA.

Let me know if this is true please. I'd like to try also! I am now in Clarksville, TN.

dont know, but I would sure like to know if that is so. Very interested.

If you could prove that you got the exact same training as an LPN gets through your medical assisting training,then you might have a case but the thing is,we don't get it. The pharmacology is very limited,at least in my MA class it was. In the local community college's LPN program,they have a whole semester of pharmacology,a whole semester of pediatric training and a whole semester of geriatrics. This is not taught in a typical MA class. I do know there are some places that will provide free training to become an LPN if you are already an MA but that is another topic. You need to have this teacher be more specific.

janna57 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania said: I find it hard to believe that a MA could challenge for LPN. MAs are trained for outpatient clinic jobs. LPNs are trained for more inpt. jobs. I have gone through the training for both and don't believe that a MA would be allowed to challenge the exam. In PA, I could not even challenge the LPN after going through most of my RN training program. I failed a course very close to the end of RN program. I was nine months away from graduating. I did transfer for advance placement to practical nursing program. I needed to graduate from a practical nursing school in order to get a license. So, I needed to attend school for twelve weeks. But, that is PA. In some states you are allowed to challenge LPN, after going through so much RN schooling.
A quick mention of the pharmacology topic - I had great training in my MA course. It was a degree program.
You may be able to challenge some classes that you had as MA. Also, you need so many clinical hrs. as LPN.

I was wondering what LPN school you attended. I also attended RN school and was one class away from graduating, but failed. I am now looking into LPN schools in the Pittsburgh area.
Thanks!

Yes I went to LPN school in JAmacia,and i don't know if i can take my test

I have successfully completed 1 year of nursing(RN) and will love to challenge the LPN TEST if only I knew how and where.

I also completed the MA program and almost all of the RN program. My husband was transferred out of state and financially I wasn't able to re-enroll here in
Florida. I would like to challenge the LPN here in Florida but don't know how to go about it.

I have been an LPN for 21 years. I have never heard that you could challenge the boards. I have always wanted to be able to challenge the RN boards, since I have had so much experience, but you can't do that either. Maybe with such a nursing shortage someday.....one can only hope.

I have taken the NCLEX RN here in the Philippines. I wonder if the LPN exam can also be taken here in Manila.

I am a Certified Nursing Assistant in Washington DC ,Medication Technician in Maryland and a National Certified Phlebotomist with an Associates Degree in Health Education and completed Fundamentals of Nursing at a University,can I challenge the LPN exam?

I was in the same position, I have been a Cetrtified Medical Assistant for 27 years and wanted to become an LPN. At least in Ohio the is no longer any such thing as testing out to become a nurse, if there was I would have done it. I took an exelerated Practical Nursing program and will be NCLEX eligable in 11 weeks

Dee Thornton in Santa Ana, California said: Good Morning all,
Maybe you can help me. I am a Medical Assistant and I was told by my teacher that I could challenge the test and become a LPN. Is this true? If so, where do I go. I live in Newport News, VA.

I too wish to challange the LPN /RN boards?I have been a Senior Medcial Assistant for 23 years, along with a host of executive positions, including Director of a technical school
Where do I get the information?

I am going to school for MA and my teacher is a LPN. When speaking to advisers at the school, many people were told they could challenge the LPN course. My teacher called the board of nursing here and you CANNOT challenge the LPN test. LPNs can challenge the RN test once they completed certain working requirements (like you have to work for 5 years as an LPN -- I don't know how long it was) and taking the required prerequisites for the RN course.

There is a HUGE difference between MA and LPN and I highly doubt that any state would allow you to challenge the test. LPNs have to learn a lot more than we cover for becoming an MA. All the experience in the world as an MA will NOT get you to LPN without the course.

I wish I could skip the year and a half of school and just poof, magically become an LPN then RN to continue on to medical school, but I'm SOL there. You HAVE to do it!

If you doubt my word, try to google the number for your state's board of nursing and call them. They have ALL the information you need.

Also, if you work for a place that offers tuition reimbursement or will allow you to take the classes for free upon you promising to work for them for x years, it would make life much easier for you. This is what I hope to do.

As a CNA you couldn't even challenge the MA certification. CNA and LPN are a whole world of different.

My teacher personally went into great detail during our pharmacology course and taught us partially from his notes from when he was in school for LPN.

I went to school in 1979 to become a MA, but was hired in as
an NA at a hospital in 1982. I worked from 1982 until 1995
as an NA before I transfered from in patient to out patient working now as an MA. I never went to school to become an NA,
the hospital that hired me in 1992 gave us classes and test and grandfathered some of us in. At the time when I was working as an NA ,you did not have to be certified, but now I am trying to transfer back to inpatient and need to be certified. The director of nursing e-mailed this online site hoping to help me take the test to get certified without having to go to school for it.
The problem is I tried to go on the site last night but was worried because there was no phone number to call to ask questions or advise me. Is there a way I can take the test without going to school. I an currently still working as an MA
The site was NursingAssistant.Education.com The e-mail also showed [ ebook prep.com}
Please help,
Thanks

I went to school in 1979 to become a MA, but was hired in as
an NA at a hospital in 1982. I worked from 1982 until 1995
as an NA before I transfered from in patient to out patient working now as an MA. I never went to school to become an NA,
the hospital that hired me in 1992 gave us classes and test and grandfathered some of us in. At the time when I was working as an NA ,you did not have to be certified, but now I am trying to transfer back to inpatient and need to be certified. The director of nursing e-mailed this online site hoping to help me take the test to get certified without having to go to school for it.
The problem is I tried to go on the site last night but was worried because there was no phone number to call to ask questions or advise me. Is there a way I can take the test without going to school. I an currently still working as an MA
The site was NursingAssistant.Education.com The e-mail also showed [ ebook prep.com}
Please help,
Thanks

I went to school in 1979 to become a MA, but was hired in as
an NA at a hospital in 1982. I worked from 1982 until 1995
as an NA before I transfered from in patient to out patient working now as an MA. I never went to school to become an NA,
the hospital that hired me in 1992 gave us classes and test and grandfathered some of us in. At the time when I was working as an NA ,you did not have to be certified, but now I am trying to transfer back to inpatient and need to be certified. The director of nursing e-mailed this online site hoping to help me take the test to get certified without having to go to school for it.
The problem is I tried to go on the site last night but was worried because there was no phone number to call to ask questions or advise me. Is there a way I can take the test without going to school. I an currently still working as an MA
The site was NursingAssistant.Education.com The e-mail also showed [ ebook prep.com}
Please help,
Thanks

I went to school in 1979 to become a MA, but was hired in as
an NA at a hospital in 1982. I worked from 1982 until 1995
as an NA before I transfered from in patient to out patient working now as an MA. I never went to school to become an NA,
the hospital that hired me in 1992 gave us classes and test and grandfathered some of us in. At the time when I was working as an NA ,you did not have to be certified, but now I am trying to transfer back to inpatient and need to be certified. The director of nursing e-mailed this online site hoping to help me take the test to get certified without having to go to school for it.
The problem is I tried to go on the site last night but was worried because there was no phone number to call to ask questions or advise me. Is there a way I can take the test without going to school. I an currently still working as an MA
The site was NursingAssistant.Education.com The e-mail also showed [ ebook prep.com}
Please help,
Thanks

taylor in Snellville, Georgia said: I have successfully completed 1 year of nursing(RN) and will love to challenge the LPN TEST if only I knew how and where.

dear taylor, if you want to challenge the lpn exam you would need to contact your state board of nursing for the info from what ive heard with 16+ years in nursing is that yes you can but you would need to contact your state board of nursing i hope this helps you

Dee Thornton in Santa Ana, California said: Good Morning all,
Maybe you can help me. I am a Medical Assistant and I was told by my teacher that I could challenge the test and become a LPN. Is this true? If so, where do I go. I live in Newport News, VA.

Thank you!

Dee Thornton in Santa Ana, California said: Good Morning all,
Maybe you can help me. I am a Medical Assistant and I was told by my teacher that I could challenge the test and become a LPN. Is this true? If so, where do I go. I live in Newport News, VA.

Yes, you can challenge the LPN test, but only in California. You have to go on their board website to find what you have to do, but it's a lot good luck!

Being an LPN, you can go to chancellor's education and/or Excellsior college and they will clep you through the classes with testing and 3 clinical days at the end.

janet katelouzos in Bristol, Virginia said: I have been an LPN for 21 years. I have never heard that you could challenge the boards. I have always wanted to be able to challenge the RN boards, since I have had so much experience, but you can't do that either. Maybe with such a nursing shortage someday.....one can only hope.

Valerie H. in Washington, District of Columbia said: I am a Certified Nursing Assistant in Washington DC ,Medication Technician in Maryland and a National Certified Phlebotomist with an Associates Degree in Health Education and completed Fundamentals of Nursing at a University,can I challenge the LPN exam?

I recently find out that in california using educaiton and working experience if they find you eligible you can take the lpn exam. they send you an application packet you have to have any nursing education and healthcare work expericne verified and have 54 hours of pharmocology.

janna57 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania said: I find it hard to believe that a MA could challenge for LPN. MAs are trained for outpatient clinic jobs. LPNs are trained for more inpt. jobs. I have gone through the training for both and don't believe that a MA would be allowed to challenge the exam. In PA, I could not even challenge the LPN after going through most of my RN training program. I failed a course very close to the end of RN program. I was nine months away from graduating. I did transfer for advance placement to practical nursing program. I needed to graduate from a practical nursing school in order to get a license. So, I needed to attend school for twelve weeks. But, that is PA. In some states you are allowed to challenge LPN, after going through so much RN schooling.
A quick mention of the pharmacology topic - I had great training in my MA course. It was a degree program.
You may be able to challenge some classes that you had as MA. Also, you need so many clinical hrs. as LPN.

I was attending SWAU in Keene, TX and was one semester (16 wks) from graduating (May 4 2008 to be exact) from their ADN program and because I failed with a C I was dropped from the program and because they discontinue the ADN program this year so I was in the last of the graduating students. The classes that I need to take to finish my ADN program is as follows: OB, Med/Surg 3 which is only 10 wks and Nursing Management. It is hard to get into another school as a transfer students here in TX and the LPN program do not accept your RN transfer they want you to take their program which is a yr. I am so lost and discourage at this point and to top it off my husband is station in Iraq. I would like to hear from nurses or student with any advice.
Thanks and God Bless

Pam in Hopkinsville, Kentucky said: Let me know if this is true please. I'd like to try also! I am now in Clarksville, TN.

Please let me know if I can challage the LPN board Test in Florida. I been searching in the state of Florida.

Maybe you can help me my daughter is an LPN in Florida and she wants to move here does she need to take any sort of certification to transfer her license.

thank you

Janna57,
My situation is similar to your own, however I am only 8 credits shy of graduating with my BSN, what school did you manage to go through in 12 weeks to get LPN. I have nothing, rendering my 120 credits useless. Need advisement.
thank
sherry

janna57 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania said: I find it hard to believe that a MA could challenge for LPN. MAs are trained for outpatient clinic jobs. LPNs are trained for more inpt. jobs. I have gone through the training for both and don't believe that a MA would be allowed to challenge the exam. In PA, I could not even challenge the LPN after going through most of my RN training program. I failed a course very close to the end of RN program. I was nine months away from graduating. I did transfer for advance placement to practical nursing program. I needed to graduate from a practical nursing school in order to get a license. So, I needed to attend school for twelve weeks. But, that is PA. In some states you are allowed to challenge LPN, after going through so much RN schooling.
A quick mention of the pharmacology topic - I had great training in my MA course. It was a degree program.
You may be able to challenge some classes that you had as MA. Also, you need so many clinical hrs. as LPN.

I have never heard of an option to do that. I am an MA and I am also 5 months shy of graduating from an LPN course and the training I got as an MA was minimal compared to the training I have received in LPN class. I only wish this nursing course were as easy as my MA class, not to mention there are many more skills you must learn in order to properly carry out the job of an LPN that are not offered in MA class. If I were you I would just buck up and find an LPN course then bridge to RN.

sherry in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania said: Janna57,
My situation is similar to your own, however I am only 8 credits shy of graduating with my BSN, what school did you manage to go through in 12 weeks to get LPN. I have nothing, rendering my 120 credits useless. Need advisement.
thank
sherry

Dear Jenna57, I'm a LPN in CT. I remember training a new LPN who had I think 1 year left in her BSN program and she became an LPN by challanging the test. I don't know if you can do it where you're from but she did in Connecticut. She was a very smart girl when it came to talking but different story when she actually had to do it. Could have bottomed out a patient if her insulin wasn't checked, she was about to give the man regular insulin instead of NPH, 38 units!!! Hello clear/cloudy...how about read the lable! As for MA challanging the LPN, maybe if the person continues to work in a doctors office. I went to school for both and as a MA I would have been lost trying to be a LPN.

There is alot put forth in the education aspect that one would wonder if any of the test's could be challenged BUT there are still skills that would not be accounted for from skills labs and clinical hours. I have heard of people in the LPN program challenging the CNA test after the first 3 months of nursing classes. This included an instructter that came to the school and administered the skills part of the test and then they sat for the written. I think the only way that someone could challenge the LPN or RN test is if they finished the qualifiations but didn't get to sit for the test in their state for what ever reason, and now wants to take the test. There is just so much that I person could lose by not getting the skills training. I wish I had better news for you guys...good luck to you.

Its not that I don't have skills, for the last 3 years I have been obtaining my Bachelors in nursing, I have more than 900 hrs clinical time and a 120 credits. My problem, when colleges choose to profit by changing curriculum standards like, 73 for proficient but if you have a 72.9 sorry don't pass, pay another $4,000 dollars and you repeat the class. Also include if you need to take more than two retakes throughtout program, automatic dismissal from the school. So where do you take your 120 credit, no where, credits don't transfer unless your already licensed. Change needs to happen quickly for the only thing these programs are doing are increasing the nursing shortage by their discrimination and profiteering to make a buck. Sounds similar to our current economey.

I've just earned my RCIS (National: Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Speacialist) and have three years in a cardiovascular cath lab, BLS, ACLS certified. Does anyone know if there is a way to challenge the LPN exam or RN exam considering I basically do those jobs as well.(no sarcasm intended)

I NEED HELP WITH THE SAME THING IN TENNESSEE...CAN'T SEEM TO GET A STRAIGHT ANSWER FROM ANYBODY AND CAN'T GET ANYBODY AT THE STATE BOARDS TO RETURN MY CALLS.....AM AN EMT-A/CNA/MA ENROLLED IN AN LPN PROGRAM THAT IS ABOUT TO START IN JANUARY 2009 AND TOOK 9 MONTHS OF LPN TRAINING ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO...HAVE FIRST AID AND ALL LEVELS OF CPR AND I HAVE CERTIFICATION TO ADMINISTER MEDICATIONS AS AN UNLICENSED PERSONEL THAT WAS ISSUED BY THE STATE OF TN. THANKS FOR ANY HELP, NEEDS TO BE TENNESSEE GUIDELINES AND WHERE DO I FIND THIS ON THEIR WEBSITE?

i took the LPN state board test several years ago and did not pass it. I was wondering what could i do retake the test. I graduated from LPN school but just did not pass the test. i want to retake the test to optain my license how do i go about it?

Hello...I guess you should contact the school you took your program through and ask the Nursing Dept...or maybe call your homestate Nursing Board and find out the guidelines....you did not say how long ago you graduated and took the test, so you may have waited too long....

I believe the best thing you could do it contact the the nursing board in your area. It is my understanding that no-one allows challenge unless dictated by their state. Pa is the same, unfortunately, nursing credits do not transfer unless you have already obtained your LPN, or RN and are looking to further your education. For those of us just trying to finish, the states work against you. Education has become a very profitable business, even with the accrediting bodies at work..... If all nursing schools are accredited by the board of nursing; then that program has met all state standards with its curriculum, and credits should transfer to any school. I believe what these states are discriminating against nursing students. Maternity, Psyche, the nursing concepts are the same no matter which school you attend, and their should be no reason that a student with a 120 credits of nursing courses should be refused to sit for LPN, especially given the current shortage and its increasing number.

You must contact you nursing board in your area. They will tell you what must be done in order to sit to take exam. You will need your diploma or graduating certificate that says where and what school you received your training. If your name has changed since then you will have to verify this as well. But your state board of nursing should be abe to supply you with all this info. Good Luck don't forget to prepare yourself by doing at least 9,000 questions before taking your exam..... I'm told it helps
Sher

i need advice i graduated from LPN school but did not pass my boards test, my question is how do i take the test again its been several years?

Dee Thornton in Santa Ana, California said: Good Morning all,
Maybe you can help me. I am a Medical Assistant and I was told by my teacher that I could challenge the test and become a LPN. Is this true? If so, where do I go. I live in Newport News, VA.

This is not true I have associates degree in medical assistant and i took about 7 classes to complete my lpn. You can however, get waived in the program because of your medical assistant. Hope this helps you not to mention the money is better as an lpn.

Again, every state is different. In Pa you cannot sit for your LPN unless you are graduated from an approved LPN program. They don't care if you have your medical assistant license, certified nursing assistant, or 120 completed credits of a Bachelors Program. The whole board of nursing needs to rethink their criteria for as the years progress, nursing schools keep on increasing there GPA standards, thereby decreasing the amount of applicants, and increasing the amount of failout rate. Thereby increasing the ever growing nursing shortage.
Sorry wasn't helpful
Sherry
Pa

I am 95% sure that the only state in the US that allows the LVN (LPNs are titled LVN in Texas and California) boards to be challenged is in California. To be eligible one must have 5 years INPATIENT nursing experience and have 54 hours from an approved pharmacology course, along with many other rules and restrictions. They also allow people who worked in the millitary medical corps with at least 12 months experience to qualify. Your license will most likely be only limited to California, no other states will recognize it. Maybe I am biased but I don't think one should "cut corners" when it comes to this, with an exception to maybe an experienced military medic or corpsman. I've read some posts about this on allnurses.com and the general consensus is that most employers do not look fondly at LVNs who go this route and that most struggle if they are able to pass boards. I am curious to hear the opinions from anyone who has personally done this or if anyone has proof that there are other states that allow this.

www.bvnpt.ca.gov/pdf/method3.pdf
To those interested, here is a link to the CA BVNPT with that info.

Just wanted to add that RN students that have completed a certain portion of their program based on their school's curriculum and what each particular state allows, usually can be eligible to sit for the LPN/LVN boards. However that's kind of a different situation.

taylor in Snellville, Georgia said: I have successfully completed 1 year of nursing(RN) and will love to challenge the LPN TEST if only I knew how and where.

Why would you want to challenge the LPN test when your RN trumps the LPN license.

Because, many healthcare workers who have many years of sound experience and great, safe judgement, how may not have hade the oppurtunity to go to nursing school, can pass the test.
I know, without a doubt, I can pass the test.
I have spent many years as a pediatric medical assistant, and with many years of sound decisons made on WHAT I learned on the job, not in school( sitting behind a desk)
I would love to challenge the RN exam and LPN Boards.

soffie in Los Angeles, California said: In some states as in Ca, you can challenge, just as long as you have the board's requirements, combination of education and or experience...as for the pharm, there are courses out there for cnas, and others with medical bedside experience that are not lpns that need pharmacology...contacting the boards, adn looking at the website may be a good idea, as they give information regarding contacts where these pharm classes may be held

Best wishes

Soffie is correct. I have worked as a Respiratory Therapist for 10 years in both the Hospital and Clinic environments. I currently enjoy working in a Clinic with a very experienced, knowledgable, skilled and ambitious MA, who meets all but one of the Board's requirements. Once she has successfully completed her required Pharmacology course, she plans to challenge the Boards. I wish you all well. Good journey.

Because I am not a registered nurse. I finished my Associates degree in General Studies because I was pregnant and did not know if I would go back to school after having the baby. After two years home with my child I decided to go back. I was told at that time, if I had to spend two more years in a program of nursing, why not make it beneficial and obtain my bachelors from a 4 year college. Today's nursing programs are making it harder to obtain this degree, by increasing GPA and grading standards within the context of senior year making many individuals fail, so close to graduating. Also cost is on the rise, my school just increased to 897.00 a credit last semester it was 649.00.

Hello Janna 57,
I just found this website, and im pretty much having the same problems as everybody else. I went to nursing school in NJ (ADN program), I failed my last semester, couldn't go back to school because I moved to PA and I have a brand new baby. So, since you mentioned that you had to take an "advance placement to practical nursing program in 12 weeks" can you please let me know the name of the program. I would truly appreciate it.
Thanks

janna57 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania said: I find it hard to believe that a MA could challenge for LPN. MAs are trained for outpatient clinic jobs. LPNs are trained for more inpt. jobs. I have gone through the training for both and don't believe that a MA would be allowed to challenge the exam. In PA, I could not even challenge the LPN after going through most of my RN training program. I failed a course very close to the end of RN program. I was nine months away from graduating. I did transfer for advance placement to practical nursing program. I needed to graduate from a practical nursing school in order to get a license. So, I needed to attend school for twelve weeks. But, that is PA. In some states you are allowed to challenge LPN, after going through so much RN schooling.
A quick mention of the pharmacology topic - I had great training in my MA course. It was a degree program.
You may be able to challenge some classes that you had as MA. Also, you need so many clinical hrs. as LPN.

I am in kind of in the same boat as you. I am a CNA, a CMA, EKG Tech and have an AS. Looking to get into RN school. I tried to get an exception into Excelsior since I graduated from there and they used to allow CMA's into the RN program and now they don't. You must be an LPN or Paramedic. I was wondering too if I could challenge the LPN, not to practice, but to use it to get into the RN program. Anybody out there that can help? I am looking into challenging it in CA. Anybody done this successfully?

Dee Thornton in Santa Ana, California said: Good Morning all,
Maybe you can help me. I am a Medical Assistant and I was told by my teacher that I could challenge the test and become a LPN. Is this true? If so, where do I go. I live in Newport News, VA.

I am in kind of in the same boat as you. I am a CNA, a CMA, EKG Tech and have an AS. Looking to get into RN school. I tried to get an exception into Excelsior since I graduated from there and they used to allow CMA's into the RN program and now they don't. You must be an LPN or Paramedic. I was wondering too if I could challenge the LPN, not to practice, but to use it to get into the RN program. Anybody out there that can help? I am looking into challenging it in CA. Anybody done this successfully