LPN interview questions: 22 questions and a scorecard for interviewers
The short answer
Good LPN interview questions test whether a licensed practical nurse knows the limits of their scope in the state where they work, gives medications and treatments safely, reports changes in condition promptly to the supervising RN or provider, documents accurately and, where the state allows, directs CNAs well. Ask for real examples, such as a medication pass that fell behind or a resident whose condition changed overnight, and listen for what they checked, who they told and what they recorded. Before the interview, verify the license on Nursys or with the state board of nursing; California and Texas license the role as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN). Score every candidate against the same five criteria so the decision rests on evidence.
All 22 questions with why you ask each one, what a strong answer shows and follow-ups, plus the licensed practical nurse (lpn) scorecard and rating guide. Free to download and adapt; no sign-up needed.
When to use these questions
Licensed practical nurses give hands-on nursing care under the direction of a registered nurse or physician: medication passes, wound care and other treatments, monitoring, and reporting changes in condition. They work in settings such as long-term care, rehab, home health and clinics, where they may run a hall or visit patients alone. What an LPN may do is set by each state’s nurse practice act and board of nursing rules, so the interview needs to show that the candidate knows where their role ends, as well as how carefully they work within it.
Check the must-haves before the clinical interview: an active LPN license (LVN in California and Texas) for the state of the assignment, or a multistate license under the Nurse Licensure Compact, which covers LPN/VN licenses as well as RN licenses; recent experience in the same setting; any certification the state or client requires for tasks such as IV therapy; and the shifts, travel and start date the candidate can commit to.
22 LPN interview questions
Grouped by what they test. Pick the questions that match the role, ask every candidate the same ones in the same order, and score each answer against the scorecard below.
Scope of practice and supervision
Start here, because LPN scope differs between states. Strong candidates describe their limits precisely and name who directs their work.
Question 1: In the state where you work now, what can you do as an LPN, what can’t you do, and who directs your practice?
- Why ask it:
- Each state’s nurse practice act and board rules set the LPN scope, so the candidate must know their own limits.
- A strong answer shows:
- An accurate account of their state’s rules, the RN or physician who directs their work, and examples of tasks they leave to the RN.
- Follow-up:
- What would you check first before taking an assignment in a different state?
Question 2: Tell me about a time you were asked to do something you believed was outside your LPN scope. How did you respond?
- Why ask it:
- Tests safe boundaries when a busy unit puts on pressure.
- A strong answer shows:
- Declining politely, explaining why, involving the supervising RN, and checking facility policy or the board’s guidance.
Question 3: When a resident’s condition changes, which data do you collect yourself, and what do you hand to the RN to assess or decide?
- Why ask it:
- Tests whether the LPN understands how their role fits with the RN’s assessment and the care plan.
- A strong answer shows:
- Focused data collection such as vital signs and observations, recognizing what is abnormal, prompt reporting, and not changing the care plan alone.
Question 4: Which IV therapy tasks have you done as an LPN, in which state, and did you need extra certification to do them?
- Why ask it:
- IV therapy rules depend on the state; in California, for example, an LVN must be certified by the board to perform IV therapy or blood withdrawal.
- A strong answer shows:
- Specific tasks, the state where they did them, and any certification with dates you can verify.
Medication passes and treatments
Medications and treatments fill most of an LPN’s shift. Look for steady checking habits that hold up when the shift runs late.
Question 5: Walk me through a full medication pass on a long-term care hall. How do you stay accurate and on time?
- Why ask it:
- The medication pass is a core LPN task and a common point for errors.
- A strong answer shows:
- Checking the medication record against orders, identifying each resident, prioritizing time-critical medications, and documenting each dose as it is given.
- Follow-up:
- What do you do when you fall behind?
Question 6: A resident refuses their morning medications. What happens next?
- Why ask it:
- Tests respect for the right to refuse alongside correct follow-through.
- A strong answer shows:
- Finding out why, offering again later where appropriate, documenting the refusal, and telling the RN or provider, especially for time-critical drugs.
Question 7: Tell me about a medication discrepancy you caught, for example on a new admission or a return from hospital. How did you resolve it?
- Why ask it:
- Tests attention to detail when orders change between care settings.
- A strong answer shows:
- Comparing lists line by line, contacting the prescriber or pharmacy, holding the dose until it was clarified, and documenting the outcome.
Question 8: Describe a wound treatment you do regularly, such as a pressure injury dressing. What do you look for and record each time?
- Why ask it:
- Wound care is a routine LPN treatment, and consistent observation shows whether a wound is healing.
- A strong answer shows:
- Following the treatment order, clean technique, describing and measuring the wound the same way each time, noticing signs of infection, and reporting changes.
Question 9: How do you handle the controlled substance count at shift change, and what do you do if it doesn’t match?
- Why ask it:
- Tests integrity and process around controlled drugs.
- A strong answer shows:
- Counting with the oncoming nurse, never signing for a count they didn’t witness, reporting a discrepancy straight away under policy, and not leaving until it is escalated.
Observation, reporting and documentation
An LPN is often the licensed nurse closest to the resident or patient. Listen for prompt, specific reports and records written at the time.
Question 10: Describe a resident whose condition changed on your shift. What did you gather before calling, and what did you say to the RN or provider?
- Why ask it:
- Prompt, clear reporting of a change in condition is central to the LPN role.
- A strong answer shows:
- Vital signs and focused observations, a structured report such as SBAR, and following up on the response.
- Follow-up:
- What would you do if the provider didn’t call back?
Question 11: What should a nursing note include for a resident found on the floor overnight?
- Why ask it:
- Tests objective, complete documentation of an incident.
- A strong answer shows:
- Objective findings, the checks done, who was notified and when, actions taken and follow-up monitoring, with no blame or guesswork.
Question 12: On a busy shift, which documentation do you never leave until the end, and why?
- Why ask it:
- Shows judgment about time-sensitive records.
- A strong answer shows:
- Medications given or held, changes in condition, notifications and incidents recorded in real time, and late entries labeled correctly.
Question 13: On a home health visit, how do you report a change you notice when no RN is on site?
- Why ask it:
- Home health LPNs work alone and must know how to reach the supervising RN quickly.
- A strong answer shows:
- Calling the supervising RN or case manager from the home, following the agency’s process, and documenting the call and the plan agreed.
Question 14: How do you keep track of follow-ups during a shift, such as rechecking a blood sugar or a pain score after a PRN dose?
- Why ask it:
- Tests reliability in closing the loop on care.
- A strong answer shows:
- A personal system such as a worksheet or record reminders, rechecks done on time, and the effect of PRN medications documented.
Leading CNAs, teamwork and new settings
In long-term care, an LPN may run a hall with CNAs. Look for clear direction, respect for aides and safe habits on day one at a new facility.
Question 15: Where your state and facility allow it, how do you assign work to the CNAs on your hall and check that it was done?
- Why ask it:
- In some states LPN/VNs may delegate to assistive personnel such as CNAs, so the candidate needs to know the rules and how to supervise well.
- A strong answer shows:
- Assignments matched to each aide’s competence, checking that care was completed, respectful feedback, and knowing which tasks can’t be delegated.
Question 16: Tell me about a time a CNA told you something about a resident that turned out to matter.
- Why ask it:
- Tests whether the LPN listens to aides and acts on what they report.
- A strong answer shows:
- Taking the report seriously, checking the resident promptly, escalating when needed, and thanking the aide.
Question 17: Have you worked as the charge nurse for a long-term care unit or shift? What did that involve?
- Why ask it:
- Nursing homes in Medicare or Medicaid must designate a licensed nurse as charge nurse on each tour of duty unless a waiver applies, so LPNs in long-term care may be asked to run a unit.
- A strong answer shows:
- Specific responsibilities, how they used the RN supervisor, and examples of handling a staffing gap or an emergency.
Question 18: On your first shift at a new facility, what do you review before you start the medication pass?
- Why ask it:
- Agency LPNs may start with little orientation, and the first medication pass is a high-risk point.
- A strong answer shows:
- Orders and the medication record, allergies, residents with swallowing problems or crushing restrictions, high-risk drugs, and who the supervising RN is.
Must-haves and logistics
Ask these of every candidate before the clinical interview, and verify the answers.
Question 19: Which states have issued you an LPN or LVN license, what are the license numbers, and is the license from your home state a multistate compact license?
- Why ask it:
- The Nurse Licensure Compact covers LPN/VN licenses as well as RN licenses, so a multistate license from a compact home state can cover other compact states.
- A strong answer shows:
- License numbers and states that you then verify on Nursys or with the state board before submitting the candidate.
Question 20: Which settings have you worked in during the last two years, such as long-term care, rehab, home health, clinics or hospitals?
- Why ask it:
- LPN duties differ a lot between settings, so recent matching experience matters.
- A strong answer shows:
- Specific settings, the size of the hall or caseload, and the tasks they did routinely.
Question 21: Which certifications do you hold, such as CPR or BLS, IV certification where your state requires it, or wound care training, and when do they expire?
- Why ask it:
- Clients often ask for current CPR or BLS, and some states require extra certification for tasks such as IV therapy.
- A strong answer shows:
- Exact certifications and expiry dates, with copies and issuer details you can check.
Question 22: The position covers [setting, hall size or caseload, shift, weekends, travel between patients’ homes, location] and involves [tasks such as pushing a medication cart and helping to reposition residents]. Can you do these tasks, with or without adjustments, do you have a car if visits need one, and what is your earliest start date?
- Why ask it:
- Rules out schedule, travel and task mismatches early.
- A strong answer shows:
- A clear yes, or the specific limit, and a firm start date.
Licensed practical nurse (LPN) interview scorecard
Five criteria for this role, with what a score of 1, 3 and 5 looks like. Scores of 2 and 4 sit between them.
| Criterion | What it means | Score 1 looks like | Score 3 looks like | Score 5 looks like |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope awareness | Knows what an LPN may do in their state and works within it. | Unsure of their scope, or describes working beyond it as normal. | Describes their state’s limits accurately and involves the RN when a task falls outside them. | Precise about scope in each state they have worked in, and holds the line under pressure. |
| Medication and treatment safety | Gives medications and treatments accurately and follows controlled drug procedures. | Describes shortcuts on the medication pass or casual handling of counts. | Consistent checks, accurate documentation and correct handling of refusals. | Safe under time pressure, catches discrepancies and resolves them through the right people. |
| Observation and reporting | Notices changes in condition and reports them promptly and clearly. | No example of reporting a change, or would wait and see. | A clear example of a structured report to the RN or provider. | Several examples of early, specific reports with follow-up on the response. |
| Documentation | Records care, changes and incidents accurately and on time. | Documents at the end of the shift from memory. | Timely, objective notes for medications and changes. | Real-time, complete records that another nurse could act on, including incidents and notifications. |
| Leadership and teamwork | Directs CNAs where allowed and works well with RNs and the wider team. | Dismisses aides’ reports or blames the team. | Gives clear assignments and listens to aides. | Runs a hall smoothly, supports aides and keeps the RN informed. |
The 1–5 rating scale
The same scale for every criterion and every candidate.
| Score | Level | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Well below requirement | No relevant evidence, or an answer that contradicts the requirement. |
| 2 | Below requirement | Partial evidence with important gaps. |
| 3 | Meets requirement | Clear, relevant evidence at the level the role needs. |
| 4 | Above requirement | Strong, specific evidence beyond the expected level. |
| 5 | Exceptional | Repeated high-quality evidence with clear impact. |
How to run the interview with these lpn interview questions
- 01
Step 01
Agree the must-haves first
Confirm the essential credentials, experience and availability with the hiring manager or client before any interviews. - 02
Step 02
Pick 8 to 12 questions
Take the must-have questions, then the questions that test what this role needs most. Use the same set, in the same order, for every candidate. - 03
Step 03
Ask for real examples
When you hear “we” or “I would”, ask what the candidate personally did, and what happened in the end. - 04
Step 04
Score before you discuss
Rate each criterion on the scorecard with the evidence behind it, then compare with other interviewers. - 05
Step 05
Verify before you submit
Check licenses, certifications and right to work against the original source before you put the candidate forward.
Red flags, and questions not to ask
- Can’t describe the limits of LPN scope in their own state, or treats working outside it as normal.
- Shortcuts on the medication pass, such as preparing doses far in advance or signing before giving.
- Signing a controlled substance count they didn’t witness, or vague answers about discrepancies.
- No example of reporting a change in condition, or expecting the RN to notice on their own.
- License details that don’t match Nursys or the state board, or reluctance to share them.
- Age, marital or family status, pregnancy or plans for children, religion, ethnicity or national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity. These are protected characteristics under the UK Equality Act 2010 and US federal law, and they say nothing about whether someone can do the job.
- Health, sickness absence or disability before an offer. You can ask whether the candidate needs any adjustments for the interview, and whether they can do the essential tasks of the job.
Screen licensed practical nurse (LPN) applicants before the first call
Add these questions to a Beatview AI interview and every applicant answers them on video or audio, with the same time limit. Beatview scores each answer against your criteria and shows the reasoning, and you can share the shortlist with your client through a password-protected link. AI interviews are on the Pro plan; the Free plan screens resumes for one active job.
LPN interview questions: frequently asked questions
Still deciding?
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Ask for real examples that test scope awareness, medication passes and treatments, reporting changes in condition, documentation and leading CNAs, such as a refused medication or a resident who changed overnight. Add must-have questions about the license, settings, certifications and availability, and ask every candidate the same questions in the same order.
Use Nursys, NCSBN’s national database for verifying the licensure and discipline of RNs, LPN/VNs and APRNs in participating jurisdictions; its Licensure QuickConfirm service is free for employers and recruiters. You can also check with the state board of nursing directly. California’s Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians moved its license verification requests to Nursys in July 2025.
They are the same level of nurse under different titles: NCSBN groups them as licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/VNs), and state boards use the NCLEX-PN exam in licensing them. California and Texas use the title licensed vocational nurse. California’s board describes LVNs as giving basic bedside care under the direction of a physician or registered nurse, and the Texas Board of Nursing describes the LVN scope as a directed scope that requires appropriate supervision by an RN, APRN, physician assistant, physician, dentist or podiatrist.
An LPN interview focuses on working within a directed scope: safe medication passes and treatments, prompt reporting of changes to the supervising RN or provider, accurate documentation and, where the state allows, directing CNAs. Ask more about scope limits and reporting, and confirm which parts of assessment and care planning the client expects from an LPN under that state’s rules.
Get the lpn interview questions template
All 22 questions with why you ask each one, what a strong answer shows and follow-ups, plus the licensed practical nurse (lpn) scorecard and rating guide.
Opens in Excel, Google Sheets or Numbers. Version 2 October 2026.
Sources: NCSBN: license verification (Nursys); Nurse Licensure Compact: FAQs; NCSBN: what every nurse needs to know about boards of nursing; NCSBN and ANA: National Guidelines for Nursing Delegation; NCSBN: 2026 NCLEX-PN test plan; Texas Board of Nursing: LVN scope of practice; California BVNPT: about the board; California BVNPT: frequently asked questions (IV therapy and blood withdrawal); California BVNPT: Nursys license verification notice; 42 CFR 483.35: nursing services in nursing homes (eCFR). This template is general guidance, not legal advice.