2026 Maryland Guide

Top LPN Programs & Schools in Maryland

Maryland puts you within reach of two of the biggest healthcare markets in the country — Baltimore and Washington DC — at community college tuition prices. CCBC (Community College of Baltimore County) runs the most accessible program, with clinical partnerships across the Johns Hopkins, MedStar, and University of Maryland systems. NLC compact membership means your license works across the entire mid-Atlantic corridor.

$70,700 Avg. Annual Salary
$33.99 Avg. Hourly Wage
3% Job Growth (10-yr)
~1,200 Annual Openings

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Accredited LPN Programs & Colleges in Maryland

CCBC is Maryland's largest LPN training provider with multiple campus locations. Other community colleges across the state offer practical nursing certificates at affordable tuition ($6,000–$10,000). Clinical placements at Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland Medical System, and MedStar Health provide access to some of the most advanced healthcare facilities on the East Coast.

School City Type Program Length Approx. Tuition
Allegany College of Maryland Cumberland Community College 12 months $6,800
Baltimore City Community College Baltimore Community College 12 months $5,600
Chesapeake College Wye Mills Community College 12 months $6,200
College of Southern Maryland La Plata Community College 12 months $6,400

Tuition figures are approximate and reflect in-state rates. Contact each school for current pricing, financial aid, and enrollment deadlines. Always confirm the program is approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing.

Online & Hybrid LPN Programs in Maryland

No Maryland LPN program is fully online — clinical training is required at approved facilities. Some community colleges offer hybrid coursework components. Maryland's dense population and extensive healthcare infrastructure mean clinical sites are always within reasonable driving distance.

Hybrid programs are ideal for working adults, parents, or anyone who needs scheduling flexibility. Typical hybrid programs cover 40–60% of coursework online, with the remainder as on-site clinical hours at approved partner hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and clinics.

For a complete list of online-friendly LPN programs available to Maryland residents, visit our dedicated guide:

View Online LPN Programs in Maryland →

Requirements to Enroll in a Maryland LPN Program

Maryland requirements include TEAS or HESI entrance exam, background check, health screening, and prerequisite courses. The Maryland Board of Nursing oversees all program approvals. NLC membership makes Maryland licensure particularly valuable for students planning careers in the DC metro area.

Quick Facts: LPN Licensing in Maryland

Licensing Exam NCLEX-PN
Regulatory Board Maryland Board of Nursing
Min. Education State-approved LPN program (typically 12 months)
Background Check Required

After completing an approved program, graduates must pass the NCLEX-PN examination and apply for licensure through the Maryland Board of Nursing. Most candidates receive their results within 48 hours of testing.

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LPN Salary & Job Outlook in Maryland

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, May 2024 OEWS data), LPNs in Maryland earn an average of $70,700 per year ($33.99/hour). This places Maryland above the national LPN average of $62,340.

Salaries in Maryland typically range from $52,800 for entry-level positions to $87,200 for experienced nurses in high-demand specialties or metro areas.

LPN Salary by City in Maryland

City / Metro Area Average Annual Salary
Baltimore $72,400
Bethesda $74,800
Silver Spring $73,200
Annapolis $71,600

Job Outlook

Employment of LPNs in Maryland is projected to grow 3% over the next decade — about as fast as average for all occupations. The state sees approximately 1,200 annual job openings for LPNs, driven by retirements, career transitions, and growing demand in skilled nursing facilities and home health.

Where LPNs Work in Maryland

The majority of LPNs in Maryland work in skilled nursing facilities and long-term care, which together employ roughly 35% of the state's practical nurses. Other common employers include hospitals, physician offices, home health agencies, and outpatient care centers. Shift differentials for evenings, nights, and weekends can add $2–$5/hour on top of base pay.

First Job Tips for New LPN Graduates

Landing your first LPN position in Maryland is usually straightforward given current demand. Skilled nursing facilities and long-term care centers actively recruit new graduates and often offer sign-on bonuses. Staffing agencies are another option — they can place you quickly and often pay above-average hourly rates. Once you have 6–12 months of experience, you'll qualify for positions in hospitals, clinics, and specialty practices.

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Explore More Nursing & Healthcare Careers in Maryland

Whether you're starting out or planning your next credential, these guides can help:

Maryland

Maryland LPN Scope

Maryland LPN Scope of Practice — What You Can and Can't Do

Maryland LPNs are regulated by the Maryland Board of Nursing under the Health Occupations Article. Maryland is an NLC state.

You Can Direct Patient Care

  • Medication administration (oral, IM, SubQ, topical, rectal, inhaled)
  • Focused assessments and ongoing monitoring
  • Wound care and dressing changes
  • Vital signs and point-of-care testing
  • Foley catheter insertion and management
  • Tracheostomy care and suctioning
  • Contributing to care plans
  • Supervising CNAs/UAPs

Conditional IV Therapy

  • LPNs may perform IV therapy after completing a Board-approved IV therapy course
  • Must work under direction of an RN or physician
  • Peripheral IV starts and IV fluid/medication administration permitted after training
  • LPNs CANNOT administer blood products, chemotherapy, or manage central lines
  • LPNs CANNOT administer IV push medications without specific authorization

You Cannot RN-Only Functions

  • Comprehensive assessments
  • Creating or modifying care plans
  • Blood product or chemotherapy administration
  • Central line management
  • Triage
  • Independent practice

Maryland LPN-to-RN Bridge Programs

SchoolFormatTimelineDetails
Anne Arundel Community CollegeOn-campus + clinical12–16 monthsADN bridge near Annapolis/Baltimore
Community College of Baltimore CountyOn-campus + clinical12–18 monthsADN bridge at multiple Baltimore-area campuses
Excelsior University100% OnlineSelf-pacedOnline + local clinicals, no waitlist

Maryland Board of Nursing Contact

  • Website: mbon.maryland.gov
  • Phone: (410) 585-1900
  • Address: 4140 Patterson Ave, Baltimore, MD 21215

Ready for the Next Step?

Bridge from LPN to RN — Expand Your Scope and Your Paycheck

Tired of scope limitations? RNs earn 35–50% more, perform initial assessments, create care plans, start IVs without extra certification, and run triage. Bridge programs let you earn your RN while you keep working.

Explore LPN-to-RN Bridge Programs →

Massachusetts

Massachusetts LPN Scope

Massachusetts LPN Scope of Practice — What You Can and Can't Do

Massachusetts LPNs are regulated by the Board of Registration in Nursing (BORN) under 244 CMR. Massachusetts enacted the NLC in November 2024 but has NOT yet implemented it — you still need a Massachusetts-specific license as of 2026.

You Can Direct Patient Care

Massachusetts LPNs practice under direction of an RN or physician. The BORN issued Advisory Ruling AR 25-01 in 2025 clarifying LPN vs RN scope:

  • Medication administration (oral, IM, SubQ, topical, rectal, inhaled)
  • Basic, focused assessments — contributing to the RN's systematic assessment
  • Wound care and dressing changes
  • Vital signs and point-of-care testing
  • Foley catheter insertion and management
  • Tracheostomy care and suctioning
  • Participating in implementing and evaluating outcomes of the care plan
  • Initiating or encouraging changes in plans of care when appropriate
  • Implementing the RN's teaching plan for patients
  • Supervising CNAs/UAPs

Conditional IV Therapy

  • LPNs may perform IV therapy after completing a BORN-approved IV therapy course
  • Must work under direction of an RN or physician
  • Peripheral IV starts and IV fluid/medication administration permitted after training
  • LPNs CANNOT administer blood products, chemotherapy, or manage central lines
⚠️ NLC status note: Massachusetts enacted compact nursing legislation in November 2024 but as of mid-2026 has NOT implemented it. The holdup is FBI background-check authorization. You cannot use an out-of-state multistate license to practice in Massachusetts — you need a MA-specific license until implementation is complete.

You Cannot RN-Only Functions

  • Completing the systematic patient assessment
  • Developing the nursing plan of care
  • Coordinating the teaching plan (LPNs implement, not coordinate)
  • Blood product or chemotherapy administration
  • Central line management
  • Triage
  • Independent practice

Massachusetts LPN-to-RN Bridge Programs

SchoolFormatTimelineDetails
Massasoit Community CollegeOn-campus + clinical12–18 monthsADN bridge south of Boston
Quincy CollegeOn-campus + clinical12–16 monthsADN bridge in Quincy/Plymouth area
Excelsior University100% OnlineSelf-pacedOnline + local clinicals, no waitlist

Massachusetts Board of Nursing Contact