Short answer
- CNA (nursing assistant): a state-approved training program of at least 75 hours under federal rules, a competency exam, and a listing on your state’s nurse aide registry (42 CFR 483.152, BLS).
- LPN/LVN: a state-approved program that “typically takes about 1 year,” then a licensing exam (BLS).
- RN: a bachelor’s degree, associate degree or diploma in nursing, then a licensing exam and a state license (BLS).
- 2025 median pay (BLS): nursing assistants and orderlies $42,260, LPNs $64,400, RNs $97,550.
- Price change ahead: the NCLEX registration fee for LPN and RN candidates rises from $200 to $350 on February 1, 2027 (NCLEX).
CNA, LPN and RN are three steps on the same ladder, and many people climb it one rung at a time. This guide compares training length, exams, licensing and pay using primary sources: federal regulations, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the NCLEX program. We checked them on September 22, 2026. Requirements vary by state; your state’s nurse aide registry and board of nursing have the final word.
The three roles side by side
| CNA | LPN / LVN | RN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Training | State-approved program, at least 75 hours (federal minimum) | State-approved program, typically about 1 year | Bachelor’s degree, associate degree or approved diploma program |
| Exam | State competency exam | Licensing exam (NCLEX-PN) | Licensing exam (NCLEX-RN) |
| Credential | Listing on the state nurse aide registry | State license | State license |
| Exam fee | Set by each state’s testing program | $200, rising to $350 on Feb. 1, 2027 | $200, rising to $350 on Feb. 1, 2027 |
| 2025 median pay | $42,260 (nursing assistants and orderlies) | $64,400 | $97,550 |
| Jobs (2025) | 1,558,700 (nursing assistants and orderlies) | 666,900 | 3,465,400 |
| Projected growth 2025 to 2035 | 3% | 3% | 6% |
Sources: 42 CFR 483.152, BLS nursing assistants and orderlies, BLS LPN/LVN, BLS registered nurses, NCLEX fees.
The BLS reports nursing assistants and orderlies together; orderlies alone have a lower median ($38,290).
CNA: the fastest entry
Federal rules for nursing homes set the floor for nurse aide training. A state-approved program must “consist of no less than 75 clock hours of training” and “include at least 16 hours of supervised practical training,” with at least 16 hours of instruction before any direct contact with a resident (42 CFR 483.152). Most states require more: 27 of the 46 states that publish a figure set a higher minimum, up to 175 hours in Missouri (see our state-by-state guide).
After the program, “nursing assistants often must pass a competency exam,” and those who pass “are placed on a state registry. They must be on the state registry to work in a nursing home” (BLS). That’s why a CNA is a state-level credential: moving to another state means applying to that state’s registry, usually through reciprocity.
LPN: about a year, and a license
LPNs (called LVNs in some states) “must complete a state-approved educational program, which typically takes about 1 year,” and then “must pass an exam to become licensed” (BLS). That exam is the NCLEX-PN.
Each step up the ladder raises median pay by about half: from $42,260 to $64,400 (+52%) for CNA to LPN, and from $64,400 to $97,550 (+51%) for LPN to RN (BLS medians, 2025).
RN: the longest path and the highest pay
RNs can qualify through “a bachelor’s degree in nursing, an associate’s degree in nursing, or a diploma from an approved nursing program.” They “must have a nursing license issued by the state in which they work,” which requires graduating from an approved program and passing a qualifying exam (BLS), the NCLEX-RN. The BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education.
The NCLEX fee increase
The NCLEX registration fee is currently $200 for US licensure, for both NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN. From February 1, 2027, “the NCLEX registration fee will be $350 in the United States” (NCLEX). Other fees on the same page:
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Registration (US), until January 31, 2027 | $200 |
| Registration (US), from February 1, 2027 | $350 |
| Change nursing regulatory body after registering | $50 |
| Change exam type (RN/PN) after registering | $50 |
| Additional international scheduling fee | $150 |
The NCLEX page also states there’s “no refund of registration fees for any reason.” If you’re finishing an LPN or RN program in late 2026, check with your state board of nursing when you can register; registering before February 1, 2027 saves $150.
Moving up: CNA to LPN, LPN to RN
Many nursing schools offer bridge programs that give credit for earlier training, for example CNA-to-LPN or LPN-to-RN. They’re run by schools, not by a national body, so length, cost and admission rules differ from program to program. What stays the same:
- Working as a CNA keeps you on your state’s registry, as long as you meet the state’s renewal rules.
- LPN and RN require passing the NCLEX and holding a state license; a bridge program doesn’t replace the exam.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between a CNA and an LPN?
A CNA completes a short state-approved program (at least 75 hours under federal rules), passes a competency exam and is listed on the state registry. An LPN completes a program of about a year and passes the NCLEX-PN for a state license.
How much more does an RN make than a CNA?
According to the BLS, the 2025 median pay was $97,550 for registered nurses and $42,260 for nursing assistants and orderlies.
How much does the NCLEX cost?
$200 for US registration until January 31, 2027, and $350 from February 1, 2027. The fee is the same for NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN.
Can a CNA become an RN?
Yes, by completing an approved nursing program (a bachelor’s degree, associate degree or diploma) and passing the NCLEX-RN. Bridge programs can shorten parts of the path.
How we checked these facts. Every fact comes from the Code of Federal Regulations, the Bureau of Labor Statistics or the NCLEX program, linked where it appears, checked on September 22, 2026. State requirements differ; check your state’s nurse aide registry or board of nursing. Certificate Quest is not affiliated with any of these organizations and earns nothing from links on this page. This page is general career information, not legal or professional advice.