Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) vs. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Your first step was deciding to enter the health care field so you could directly care for patients. Next, you need to determine whether you want to become an LPN (licensed practical nurse) or a CNA (certified nursing assistant). LPNs (sometimes referred to as LVNs or licensed vocational nurses) and CNAs work in similar settings, including nursing homes, hospitals, and assisted living facilities. Both fields have a strong career outlook, with growth from 10–14% predicted from 2016 to 2026. But the overlap between these jobs can be a bit confusing.
LPN vs CNA? This page will help you to understand the similarities — and the differences — between these two allied health professions. You’ll learn about the steps you need to take to become an LPN or a CNA. When you finish this page, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about whether a career path as an LPN or a CNA is right for you.
What Is the Difference Between a CNA and an LPN?
There are several key differences between a CNA and an LPN. A CNA works under the supervision of nursing staff, usually an LPN or a registered nurse (RN), to provide basic care to patients. An LPN works under the supervision of an RN and can perform additional nursing duties. CNAs require less education than LPNs do, so they may start working on a faster timeline, but their salaries will be significantly lower than those of LPNs. The certification and licensing requirements for both jobs vary by state and are discussed in more detail below.
Education Requirement Differences
A high school diploma or GED degree is usually all that’s required to begin your educational journey to become either a CNA or an LPN. But the types of courses you take and the length of your program will differ depending upon which path you take. Please keep in mind that state requirements and individual programs may vary, so always check with your chosen school or institution for exact requirements and details.
| Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) | Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | |
| Education | CNA certificate program | LPN certificate program |
| Entry Requirements | High school diploma or GED
Criminal background check Drug test |
High school diploma or GED
Criminal background check Drug test Passing score on a math and English proficiency/placement test |
| Length of Program | 6 to 14 weeks | 9 to 18 months (up to 24 months if pursuing an associate’s degree) |
| Sample Courses | Anatomy and Physiology
Principles of Clinical Practice Nutrition Patient Care Skills
|
Anatomy and Physiology
Patient Safety Introduction to Nursing Psychology Medication Dosage and Administration Family Nursing Legal and Ethical Principles of Nursing |
LPN vs. CNA Job Duties and Work Settings
Both CNAs and LPNs are integral parts of a patient’s care, and some of their duties may overlap. There are, however, some important differences in the kinds of patient care each professional can provide. How they are supervised also has important differences.
| CNA | LPN | |
| Typical Duties | Feed, bathe, dress patients
Listen to, record, and report patient’s health concerns Measure vital signs Make beds Answer call button |
Feed, bathe, dress patients
Listen to, record, and report patient’s health concerns Measure vital signs Dress wounds Provide basic medical procedures Administer medications
|
| Supervision | Supervised by RN or LPN | Supervised by RN |
| Work Settings | Nursing homes
Hospitals Assisted living facilities Home healthcare |
Nursing homes
Hospitals Assisted living facilities Home healthcare Physician’s office
|
Salary Differences
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistic (BLS), the mean average salary for CNAs in May 2018 was $29,580. The mean average salary for LPNs in May 2018 was $47,050.
Salary can vary by geographic location and work setting. The following tables show breakdowns for these two factors.
Breakdown by State (BLS, May 2018)
| State | CNA Mean Annual Wage | LPN Mean Annual Wage |
| Alabama | $24,110 | $38,230 |
| Alaska | $39,830* | $58,250** |
| Arizona | $31,450 | $54,090 |
| Arkansas | $25,080 | $39,570 |
| California | $35,220* | $56,200 |
| Colorado | $32,610 | $51,210 |
| Connecticut | $33,390 | $56, 970** |
| Delaware | $30,780 | $52,860 |
| Florida | $26,840 | $44,400 |
| Georgia | $25,870 | $41,690 |
| Hawaii | $35,770* | $50,930 |
| Idaho | $27,400 | $44,280 |
| Illinois | $28,810 | $51,080 |
| Indiana | $27,210 | $44,310 |
| Iowa | $29,120 | $42,820 |
| Kansas | $26,210 | $43,240 |
| Kentucky | $26,800 | $41,920 |
| Louisiana | $22,750 | $39,480 |
| Maine | $28,710 | $45,610 |
| Maryland | $31,310 | $53,650 |
| Massachusetts | $33,630 | $58,990** |
| Michigan | $30,130 | $49,040 |
| Minnesota | $33,710 | $47,020 |
| Mississippi | $23,100 | $37,930 |
| Missouri | $25,930 | $42,580 |
| Montana | $29,110 | $43,770 |
| Nebraska | $28,730 | $43,160 |
| Nevada | $35,130* | $57,140** |
| New Hampshire | $32,200 | $52,510 |
| New Jersey | $30,380 | $56,290 |
| New Mexico | $28,310 | $47,560 |
| New York | $37,010* | $48,770 |
| North Carolina | $25,570 | $44,610 |
| North Dakota | $33,990 | $46,410 |
| Ohio | $27,570 | $43,430 |
| Oklahoma | $25,690 | $41,260 |
| Oregon | $33,230 | $53,240 |
| Pennsylvania | $30,630 | $48,120 |
| Rhode Island | $31,340 | $59,130** |
| South Carolina | $25,390 | $40,890 |
| South Dakota | $26,820 | $38,630 |
| Tennessee | $26,400 | $40,120 |
| Texas | $27,030 | $46,990 |
| Utah | $27,880 | $48,130 |
| Vermont | $30,730 | $49,720 |
| Virginia | $28,770 | $44,850 |
| Washington | $32,130 | $55,420 |
| West Virginia | $26,410 | $36,770 |
| Wisconsin | $29,590 | $45,290 |
| Wyoming | $30,910 | $46,790 |
*Top five states, CNA
**Top five states, LPN
Breakdown by Work Settings for CNAs (BLS, May 2018):
| Industry | Annual mean wage (2) |
| Specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) Hospitals | $32,020 |
| General medical and surgical hospitals | $31,540 |
| Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) | $28,560 |
| Home health care services | $28,130 |
| Continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities for the elderly | $27,780 |
Breakdown by Work Settings for LPNs (BLS, May 2018):
| Industry | Annual mean wage (2) |
| Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) | $48,330 |
| Home health care services | $47,880 |
| Continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities for the elderly | $47,850 |
| General medical and surgical hospitals | $45,190 |
| Offices of physicians | $43,240 |
LPN vs. CNA Licensing Requirements
The licensing for CNAs and LPNs varies by state, but each certification process follows a predictable path. Use the table below to see the steps you need to take, and as always, check with your individual state for specific licensure requirements.
| Requirement | CNA | LPN |
| Graduation | Verification of graduation from state-approved certified nursing assistant education program | Verification of graduation from a state-approved LPN nursing education program
|
| Exam | State-issued competency exam | National Council Licensure Examination
(NCLEX-PN) |
| Certification | License application with your state board of nursing | License application with your state board of nursing |
How to Become an LPN if you are a CNA
If you are already working as a CNA, there are multiple benefits to becoming an LPN. A significant increase in salary is one; an expanded scope of nursing practice is another.
Your first step is to pursue CNA-to-LPN bridge programs, but you should make sure any program you consider is accredited. While many LPN programs will not accept academic credits from your CNA training, the CNA coursework you completed and your hands-on patient experience are first-rate preparation to help you excel in the LPN program more easily, and advance in your career.
LPN programs are often offered at community colleges and technical or vocational schools, and some hybrid programs offer a combination of face-to-face and online classes.