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Occupational Requirements Survey
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Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
Care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required.
For terms and definitions in this profile, see definitions of major terms.
Cognitive and mental requirements
The qualifications that workers need to use judgment, make decisions, interact with others, and adapt to changes in jobs.
In 2025, more than basic people skills were required for 98.3 percent of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses. Basic people skills were required for 1.7 percent.
| Requirement | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
|
Work schedule varies |
51.9 | 48.1 |
|
Ability to pause work (and take brief unscheduled breaks) |
16.1 | 83.9 |
|
Working around crowds |
<0.5 | >99.5 |
|
Telework routinely allowed |
<0.5 | >99.5 |
|
Supervising others |
11.7 | 88.3 |
|
Supervisor present in immediate work area |
61.7 | 38.3 |
|
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey |
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Education, training, and experience requirements
The minimum level of formal education required, credentials necessary, on-the-job training, and prior work experience necessary for average performance in jobs. The time associated with these requirements is combined to calculate the specific vocational preparation level needed for the job.
In 2025, prior work experience was required for 23.9 percent of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses and on-the-job training was required for 93.0 percent.
A high school diploma was required for 66.0 percent of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses and an associate's degree was required for 33.9 percent.
Environmental conditions
The various hazards or difficulties that are in the area where workers perform their critical tasks.
In 2025, a quiet noise exposure was present for 13.4 percent of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses. Another 86.6 percent were exposed to moderate noise, less than 0.5 percent were exposed to loud noise, and less than 0.5 percent to very loud noise. Personal protective equipment (PPE) was used by less than 0.5 percent of workers to mitigate noise exposure and was not used by greater than 99.5 percent.
Physical demands
The physical activities required to perform tasks in jobs. The presence and, in some cases, duration of these activities are published.
In 2025, speaking was required for greater than 99.5 percent of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses and was not required for less than 0.5 percent. For less than 0.5 percent of workers, speaking was seldom required, for 33.2 percent speaking was occasionally required, for 66.8 percent speaking was frequently required, and for less than 0.5 percent speaking was required constantly.
Performing work in low postures was required for 90.6 percent of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses and was not required for 9.4 percent.
The choice to sit or stand when performing critical tasks was available to 2.8 percent of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses. On average, workers spent 33.8 percent of the workday sitting and 66.2 percent of the workday standing.
| Requirement | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
|
Ability to choose to sit or stand for tasks |
2.8 | 97.2 |
|
Driving |
18.0 | 82.0 |
|
Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs |
21.8 | 78.2 |
|
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey |
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