Military Services

Important Information For Active Duty Service Members, Veterans & Military Spouses

Welcome military service members, thank you for your service! The Virginia Board of Nursing through licensing supports military members and veterans experiencing career transitions. The following military programs are considered comparable to a standard Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) education program and are approved by the Board*:

Army Practical Nursing Program (68WM6)
Air Force Basic Medical Technician Corpsman Program (BMTCP) - 4N051-5 Skill Level

For more information on how to apply for licensure as a practical nurse (LPN) in Virginia go to Virginia Board of Nursing - Licensed Practical Nurse. Note: Applications are expedited for active-duty military, veterans and spouses of military members with appropriate proof of military service.

Virginia is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact which allows for Virginia residents to obtain a multi-state license allowing practice in all compact states. More information regarding options/exceptions applicable to military members under the Nurse Licensure Compact, click on Virginia Board of Nursing - Nurse Licensure Compact.

Licensure as an LPN or LVN may also be considered a pathway to licensure as a registered nurse (RN) and military service members thinking about an LPN to RN career pathway may explore professional nursing programs in Virginia by clicking on Virginia Board of Nursing - RN PN Education Programs.

Related Statutes under Chapter 54 of the Code of Virginia

Extension of renewal requirements for deployed military and spouses
Virginia law (§54.1-117) allows active duty service people or their spouses who are deployed outside the U.S. to have an extension of time for any requirement or fee pertaining to renewal until 60 days after the person’s return from deployment or overseas assignment. The extension cannot last beyond 5 years past the expiration date for the license. For more information, please read policy 76-80.12 and contact the applicable board for your license.

54.1-119 Expediting the issuance of licenses, etc., to spouses of military service members
54.1-3005 Specific powers and duties of Board of Nursing

For other state/non-state resources go to: Virginia Dept. of Health Professions - Military Services.

* Board approval of the two (2) listed military programs relied on a detailed analysis of military education curricula provided by NCSBN: A Comparison of Selected Military Health Care Occupation Curricula with a Standard Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Curriculum.