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.

Cognitive and mental requirements

The qualifications that workers need to use judgment, make 

decisions, interact with others, and adapt to changes in jobs.

In 2023, more than basic people skills were required for 96.6 

percent of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, and 

basic people skills were required for 3.4 percent.

Table 1. Percentage of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses with cognitive 

and mental requirements, 2023

Requirement Yes No

Pace: Pause control 33.7 66.3

Interaction with general public >99.5 <0.5

Working around crowds <0.5 >99.5

Telework 1.5 98.5

Work review: Supervising others 15.7 84.3

Work review: Presence of supervisor 62.9 37.1

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

Education, training, and experience requirements

The minimum level of formal 

education required, 

credentials necessary, on-thejob training, and prior work 

experience necessary for 

average performance in jobs.

In 2023, credentials were 

required for greater than 99.5 

percent of licensed practical 

and licensed vocational 

nurses. Prior work experience 

was required for 31.8 percent 

and on-the-job training was 

required for 87.6 percent.

A high school diploma was 

required for 35.7 percent of 

licensed practical and 

licensed vocational nurses 

and an associate's degree was required for 45.1 percent.
Occupational Requirements Survey ●www.bls.gov/ors ●orsinfo@bls.gov ●202.691.6199

Environmental conditions

The various tangible or concrete hazards or 

difficulties that are in the vicinity of where jobs’ 

critical tasks are performed.

In 2023, greater than 99.5 percent of licensed 

practical and licensed vocational nurses were 

not exposed to extreme cold, and greater than 

99.5 percent were not exposed to extreme heat. 

Heavy vibrations were not present for greater 

than 99.5 percent, and 83.6 percent were not 

exposed to the outdoors.

Physical demands

Refer to the physical activities required to 

perform tasks in jobs. The presence and, in 

some cases, duration of these activities are 

published.

In 2023, keyboarding was required for 93.8 

percent of licensed practical and licensed 

vocational nurses and was not required for 6.2 

percent. For less than 15 percent of workers, 

keyboarding was seldom performed, for 61.1 

percent keyboarding occurred occasionally, 

22.8 percent frequently, and for less than 0.5 

percent keyboarding occurred constantly.

Performing work in low postures was required 

for 87.1 percent of licensed practical and 

licensed vocational nurses and was not required for 12.9 percent.

The choice to sit or stand when performing critical tasks was available to 12.8 percent of licensed practical and licensed 

vocational nurses. On average, workers spent 30.1 percent of the workday sitting and 69.9 percent of the workday 

standing.

Table 2. Percentage of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses with physical 

demands, 2023

Requirement Yes No

Choice of sitting or standing 12.8 87.2

Driving 19.0 81.0

Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs 22.0 78.0

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey