LPNs in BC are registered by the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). You need a recognized practical nursing program and a pass on the REx-PN.
These are the April 1, 2024 rates from the Nurses’ Bargaining Association schedule (HEABC). Members rejected the tentative 2025–2029 agreement, and we found no newer ratified schedule, so 2024 is the latest official rate.
Steps from source.
| Detail | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Regulator | BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) | source |
| Exam | REx-PN, $350 + GST per attempt (Pearson) | source |
| Regulator fees | BCCNM B.C. LPN application assessment $265 + GST; practising LPN annual registration $781.10 (Apr 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027) | source |
| Program length | Varies by school (38 of 38 listed schools publish this). Examples: CDI College: 75 weeks, 1,965 hours; Camosun College: 20 months; Coast Mountain College: 60 credits (current cohort Jan 7, 2025 to Dec 4, 2026) | source |
| Program cost | Varies by school; whole-program prices published by 11 schools range from $7,344 (Selkirk College) to $35,761 (Vancouver Career College). 2 other school(s) publish per-credit, per-term or per-year rates only; listed separately | source |
| Intakes | Varies by school (16 of 38 listed schools publish this). See each school’s row for dates checked in the last 45 days. | source |
| Pay | NBA Level 1 (LPN) first-year $32.84/h, rates effective April 1, 2024 Latest ratified NBA schedule found; 2025-2029 tentative deal rejected by members per BCNU page https://www.bcnu.org/contracts-and-bargaining/your-collective-agreement/nurses-bargaining-association | source |
| Funding | B.C. Access Grant (public institutions, full-time, low/middle income): up to $4,000 per 8-month year for programs under 2 years; up to $1,000 for 2+ year programs; assessed automatically with StudentAid BC application | source |
| Licence steps 1 | BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) | source |
| Licence steps 2 | Varies by school (38 of 38 listed schools publish this). Examples: CDI College: 75 weeks, 1,965 hours; Camosun College: 20 months; Coast Mountain College: 60 credits (current cohort Jan 7, 2025 to Dec 4, 2026) | source |
| Licence steps 3 | REx-PN, $350 + GST per attempt (Pearson) | source |
| Licence steps 4 | BCCNM B.C. LPN application assessment $265 + GST; practising LPN annual registration $781.10 (Apr 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027) | source |
| Program cost | Whole-program prices published by 11 schools range from $7,344 (Selkirk College) to $35,761 (Vancouver Career College). See the school rows for each school's published price. | source, checked Nov 1, 2026 |
| School and city | Program and approval | Length | Intakes | Cost | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camosun College Victoria · Public | Practical Nursing (Generic) BCCNM recognized source | 20 months | Not published | $17,105 domestic / $42,684 international (est. whole program, Sep 2026-Aug 2027) | Program page |
| CDI College Surrey · Private (PTIB) | Practical Nursing (Generic) BCCNM recognized source | 75 weeks, 1,965 hours | Not published | $35,761 tuition; total $38,372 domestic (price list effective Aug 4, 2026: https://www.cdicollege.ca/files/pdf/pricelists/cdi-bc-dom-pricelist-updated-aug-2026.pdf) | Program page |
| Coast Mountain College Terrace · Public | Practical Nursing (Generic & Access) BCCNM recognized source Access = HCA-to-LPN | 60 credits (current cohort Jan 7, 2025 to Dec 4, 2026) | Start: Fall 2027 (Terrace and Prince Rupert; "dates subject to change") | $11,232 tuition; $13,317.65 with fees; $15,817.65 incl. books/supplies (domestic, 2026/27) | Program page |
| College of New Caledonia Prince George · Public | Practical Nursing (Generic) BCCNM recognized source | 2 years | Start: Fall 2027 | Est. $12,746 | Program page |
| College of the Rockies Cranbrook · Public | Practical Nursing (Generic) BCCNM recognized source | 2 years | Start: Fall (September) | $7,404.50 (yr 1) + $7,310.88 (yr 2) domestic (2026/27) | Program page |
| Discovery Community College Campbell River · Private (PTIB) | Practical Nursing (Generic & Access) BCCNM recognized source Access = HCA-to-LPN | 94 weeks (about 22 months), 1,996 hours (Generic) | Not published | Tuition $17,188.43 (yr 1) + $17,431.32 (yr 2); total $20,150.12 + $19,560.85 = $39,710.97 domestic incl. fees, books, supplies | Program page |
| Discovery Community College Maple Ridge · Private (PTIB) | Practical Nursing (Generic & Access) BCCNM recognized (board-approved, in bylaw posting period) source Access = HCA-to-LPN | 94 weeks (about 22 months), 1,996 hours (Generic) | Not published | Tuition $17,188.43 (yr 1) + $17,431.32 (yr 2); total $20,150.12 + $19,560.85 = $39,710.97 domestic incl. fees, books, supplies | Program page |
| Discovery Community College Nanaimo · Private (PTIB) | Practical Nursing (Generic & Access) BCCNM recognized source Access = HCA-to-LPN | 94 weeks (about 22 months), 1,996 hours (Generic) | Not published | Tuition $17,188.43 (yr 1) + $17,431.32 (yr 2); total $20,150.12 + $19,560.85 = $39,710.97 domestic incl. fees, books, supplies | Program page |
| Discovery Community College Surrey · Private (PTIB) | Practical Nursing (Generic & Access) BCCNM recognized (board-approved, in bylaw posting period) source Access = HCA-to-LPN | 94 weeks (about 22 months), 1,996 hours (Generic) | Not published | Tuition $17,188.43 (yr 1) + $17,431.32 (yr 2); total $20,150.12 + $19,560.85 = $39,710.97 domestic incl. fees, books, supplies | Program page |
| Nicola Valley Institute of Technology Merritt · Public | Practical Nursing (Access) BCCNM recognized source Access = HCA-to-LPN | 18 months, 107.0 credits | Start: Fall term (Merritt and in community); no specific dates | not published no price on program page | Program page |
| North Island College Campbell River · Public | Practical Nursing (Generic) BCCNM recognized source | 2 years (24 months) | Start: Fall (Campbell River, Comox Valley, Port Alberni, Mixalakwila/Port Hardy); applications open | $12,490 tuition; total $14,525 domestic | Program page |
| North Island College Comox · Public | Practical Nursing (Generic) BCCNM recognized source | 2 years (24 months) | Start: Fall (Campbell River, Comox Valley, Port Alberni, Mixalakwila/Port Hardy); applications open | $12,490 tuition; total $14,525 domestic | Program page |
| North Island College Courtenay · Public | Practical Nursing (Access) BCCNM recognized source Access = HCA-to-LPN | 2 years (24 months) | Start: Fall (Campbell River, Comox Valley, Port Alberni, Mixalakwila/Port Hardy); applications open | $12,490 tuition; total $14,525 domestic | Program page |
| North Island College Port Alberni · Public | Practical Nursing (Generic) BCCNM recognized source | 2 years (24 months) | Start: Fall (Campbell River, Comox Valley, Port Alberni, Mixalakwila/Port Hardy); applications open | $12,490 tuition; total $14,525 domestic | Program page |
| Northern Lights College Dawson Creek · Public | Practical Nursing (Generic & Access) BCCNM recognized source Access = HCA-to-LPN | 22 months, 1,850 hours | Start: September (Dawson Creek, Fort St. John) | Year 1 $5,672.75 domestic (tuition $4,876.20 + fees $162.46 + instruction-related $634.09); Year 2 (estimate) $6,795.62; international Year 1 $18,524.75, Year 2 $21,812.90 (no fee year stated) | Program page |
| Okanagan College Kelowna · Public | Practical Nursing (Generic & Access) BCCNM recognized source Access = HCA-to-LPN | 2 years (70 weeks incl. breaks; 62 instructional weeks) | Not published | Est. total $14,496 (Kelowna, Penticton, Salmon Arm) / $14,290 (Vernon), incl. mandatory fees | Program page |
| Okanagan College Penticton · Public | Practical Nursing (Generic & Access) BCCNM recognized source Access = HCA-to-LPN | 2 years (70 weeks incl. breaks; 62 instructional weeks) | Not published | Est. total $14,496 (Kelowna, Penticton, Salmon Arm) / $14,290 (Vernon), incl. mandatory fees | Program page |
| Okanagan College Salmon Arm · Public | Practical Nursing (Generic & Access) BCCNM recognized source Access = HCA-to-LPN | 2 years (70 weeks incl. breaks; 62 instructional weeks) | Not published | Est. total $14,496 (Kelowna, Penticton, Salmon Arm) / $14,290 (Vernon), incl. mandatory fees | Program page |
| Okanagan College Vernon · Public | Practical Nursing (Generic & Access) BCCNM recognized source Access = HCA-to-LPN | 2 years (70 weeks incl. breaks; 62 instructional weeks) | Not published | Est. total $14,496 (Kelowna, Penticton, Salmon Arm) / $14,290 (Vernon), incl. mandatory fees | Program page |
| Selkirk College Castlegar · Public | Practical Nursing (Generic) BCCNM recognized source | 2 years | Start: Next intake January 2027 (Winter) | $7,344 (yr 1) + $6,752 (yr 2) tuition; $8,442 + $7,780 with mandatory, SU, health/dental fees (2026/27) | Program page |
| Sprott Shaw College Abbotsford · Private (PTIB) | Practical Nursing (Generic & Access) BCCNM recognized source Access = HCA-to-LPN | 75 weeks full-time (119 part-time), 2,005 hours | Price not published, ask provider | Price not published, ask provider | Program page |
| Sprott Shaw College Chilliwack · Private (PTIB) | Practical Nursing (Generic & Access) BCCNM recognized (board-approved, in bylaw posting period) source Access = HCA-to-LPN | 75 weeks full-time (119 part-time), 2,005 hours | Not published | Not published | Program page |
| Sprott Shaw College Vancouver (Downtown) · Private (PTIB) | Practical Nursing (Generic & Access) BCCNM recognized source Access = HCA-to-LPN | 75 weeks full-time (119 part-time), 2,005 hours | Not published | Not published | Program page |
| Sprott Shaw College Vancouver (East) · Private (PTIB) | Practical Nursing (Generic & Access) BCCNM recognized source Access = HCA-to-LPN | 75 weeks full-time (119 part-time), 2,005 hours | Not published | Not published | Program page |
| Sprott Shaw College Kamloops · Private (PTIB) | Practical Nursing (Generic & Access) BCCNM recognized source Access = HCA-to-LPN | 75 weeks full-time (119 part-time), 2,005 hours | Not published | Not published | Program page |
| Sprott Shaw College Kelowna · Private (PTIB) | Practical Nursing (Generic & Access) BCCNM recognized source Access = HCA-to-LPN | 75 weeks full-time (119 part-time), 2,005 hours | Not published | Not published | Program page |
| Sprott Shaw College New Westminster · Private (PTIB) | Practical Nursing (Generic & Access) BCCNM recognized source Access = HCA-to-LPN | 75 weeks full-time (119 part-time), 2,005 hours | Not published | Not published | Program page |
| Sprott Shaw College Penticton · Private (PTIB) | Practical Nursing (Generic & Access) BCCNM recognized source Access = HCA-to-LPN | 75 weeks full-time (119 part-time), 2,005 hours | Not published | Not published | Program page |
| Sprott Shaw College Surrey · Private (PTIB) | Practical Nursing (Generic & Access) BCCNM recognized source Access = HCA-to-LPN | 75 weeks full-time (119 part-time), 2,005 hours | Not published | Not published | Program page |
| Sprott Shaw College Victoria · Private (PTIB) | Practical Nursing (Generic & Access) BCCNM recognized source Access = HCA-to-LPN | 75 weeks full-time (119 part-time), 2,005 hours | Not published | Not published | Program page |
| Stenberg College Surrey · Private (PTIB) | Practical Nursing (Generic & Access) BCCNM recognized source Access = HCA-to-LPN | 76 weeks incl. 23 weeks clinical | Start: February, June, October (next: February 2027) | Price not published, ask provider | Program page |
| Thompson Rivers University Williams Lake · Public | Practical Nursing (Generic) BCCNM recognized source | 2 years | Start + application window: September (Williams Lake); apply by May 1, 2027 | not published no price on program page (TRU per-semester calculator shows a generic default, not used) | Program page |
| University of the Fraser Valley Chilliwack · Public | Practical Nursing (Generic) BCCNM recognized source | 19 months full-time | Start: September (domestic only) | not published no program total on page | Program page |
| Vancouver Career College Abbotsford · Private (PTIB) | Practical Nursing (Generic) BCCNM recognized source | 75 weeks | Not published | $35,761 tuition; total $38,372 domestic (price list effective Nov 13, 2025: https://www.career.college/files/pdf/pricelists/251127-vacc-pricelist-domestic.pdf) | Program page |
| Vancouver Career College Burnaby · Private (PTIB) | Practical Nursing (Generic) BCCNM recognized source | 75 weeks | Not published | $35,761 tuition; total $38,372 domestic (price list effective Nov 13, 2025: https://www.career.college/files/pdf/pricelists/251127-vacc-pricelist-domestic.pdf) | Program page |
| Vancouver Community College Vancouver (Broadway) · Public | Practical Nursing (Generic & Access) BCCNM recognized source Access = HCA-to-LPN | 16 months of instruction (about 18 with breaks) | Start: January, September | $17,434 (approx.; curriculum and fees change from Sep 2027) | Program page |
| Vancouver Island University Cowichan · Public | Practical Nursing (Generic) BCCNM recognized source | 2 years | Start + application window: Fall 2027 Option A applications paused; expected to reopen mid-Nov 2026 | $230.90/credit. Option A: $8,427.85 (yr 1) + $9,351.45 (yr 2); Option B: $8,774.20 + $6,696.10 | Program page |
| Vancouver Island University Nanaimo · Public | Practical Nursing (Generic & Access) BCCNM recognized source Access = HCA-to-LPN | 2 years | Start + application window: Fall 2027 Option A applications paused; expected to reopen mid-Nov 2026 | $230.90/credit. Option A: $8,427.85 (yr 1) + $9,351.45 (yr 2); Option B: $8,774.20 + $6,696.10 | Program page |
The REx-PN. It costs $350 plus GST per attempt, paid to Pearson.
$32.84 an hour in the first year under the April 2024 NBA schedule. Members rejected the 2025–2029 deal, so this is the latest ratified rate we found.
Yes. Practical nursing “Access” programs are built for health care assistants. See the HCA to LPN bridge guide.
Full-time students at public schools with low or middle income may get the B.C. Access Grant, up to $4,000 per 8-month year for programs under 2 years.
This page relies on the official pages below. Rules, fees and processes change, so check the authority before you apply or spend money.
Links checked November 1, 2026. Found an error or a broken link? Report it.