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A Guide to Nursing Licenses and Renewals in Louisiana

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CATEGORIES Continuing Education

Career Resources / Nursing Licensure / Louisiana

There are plenty of great reasons to live and work in Louisiana. The state has a vibrant culture, remarkable regional food, a welcoming climate, and a low cost of living. Whether you’re a new graduate who has graduated from one of the state’s fine nursing programs or an experienced professional, your Louisiana nursing career begins with applying for a license.

In this article, we will cover:

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How to get your Louisiana nursing license by examination

Step 1: Education

There are dozens of nursing board-approved Louisiana nursing programs offering diploma programs, Associate degree programs, and baccalaureate programs. Attaining any of these nursing degrees, or completing an accredited out-of-state program, is your first step to being licensed in the state. 

Step 2: Apply

Louisiana requires all nursing license applications to be submitted via its Nurse Portal, as the state no longer accepts paper applications. 

To apply for your initial registered nursing license by examination, you will need to be prepared to do the following:

  • Upload a copy of a government-issued photo ID in PDF format
  • Declare that Louisiana is your primary state of residence
  • Upload any documents (in PDF format) relating to any “yes” responses to questions on the application
  • Pay the application fee of $100 and the criminal background check fee of $39.25 by credit card
  • Send the completed criminal background check packet and affidavit of verification to the Louisiana State Board of Nursing by US postal mail
  • Upload and submit any accommodation requests and/or verification of out-of-state testing if applicable

After completing the application, candidates should register for the NCLEX-RN examination online or by phone at 1-866-496-2539 and pay the $200 registration fee.

You will not be considered eligible for a Louisiana nursing license if you have any disciplinary actions by any nursing or other health regulatory board, any civil or criminal charges pending, if you are not proficient in English, or if you do not have a U.S. Social Security number.

As part of the application process, registered nurse licensure candidates must submit an original, signed, notarized Affidavit of Verification via U.S. mail to the Louisiana Board of Nursing at:

Louisiana State Board of Nursing
17373 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70810

Louisiana offers a 90-day temporary graduate permit that allows you to practice nursing in the state until full licensure is issued. The cost for application for a 90-day temporary permit is an additional $100.

Step 3: Submit Transcripts

If you have graduated from a Louisiana-state-approved nursing education program, the administrator of your program will use the Affidavit of Graduation portal to review and approve its graduates to take the NCLEX-RN after graduation. They will prepare a list of applicants from their program and submit it to the board. Graduates from these programs should not submit transcripts.

If you have graduated from an out-of-state nursing education program, submit an Affidavit of Graduation form to the nursing program. An official transcript noting the degree conferred should be sent directly from the school to the Education Department of the Louisiana Board of Nursing at:

Louisiana State Board of Nursing
17373 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70810

Step 4: Criminal Background Check (CBC)

To comply with Louisiana’s criminal background check requirement, candidates must download the forms found here after completing their licensure application.  Follow the instructions and submit the completed packet containing the receipt of payment, two authorization forms, and two FBI fingerprint cards directly to the board of nursing via U.S. postal mail. 

Step 5: Take the NCLEX

After you’ve completed the Louisiana state licensing requirements, the board will contact Pearson VUE and they will send you Authorization to Test. Taking the NCLEX-RN exam is the final step on your road to licensure. This national standardized test covers topics that were covered in your nursing education program, including:

  • Safe and Effective Care Environment
  • Management of Care  
  • Safety and Infection Control 
  • Health Promotion and Maintenance 
  • Psychosocial Integrity 
  • Physiological Integrity 
  • Basic Care and Comfort 
  • Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies 
  • Physiological Adaptation 

Once you have passed the NCLEX, your Louisiana nursing license will be issued. If you fail, you can submit an application to retake the exam through the Nurse Portal. You will also need to register for the exam again. You cannot schedule a test until 45 days have passed since your original test date. 

Louisiana requires applicants for licensure to pass the exam within four attempts and within four years of graduation, including testing in other states.

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Licensing by endorsement (already have RN licensure)

If you are licensed as a registered nurse in another state and are requesting licensure in Louisiana, you must submit an application for licensure by endorsement through the state’s Nurse Portal. You should be prepared to:

  • Upload a copy of a government-issued photo ID in PDF format
  • Provide proof that Louisiana is your primary state of residence in the form of a current, unexpired Louisiana driver’s license with a home address; a federal income tax return with a primary state of residence declaration, or military form no. 2058
  • Upload any documents (in PDF format) relating to any “yes” responses to questions on the application
  • Pay the application fee of $100 and the criminal background check fee of $39.25 by credit card
  • Send the completed criminal background check packet and affidavit of verification to the Louisiana State Board of Nursing by U.S. postal mail

When you submit your completed application, you will be asked to have the original state where your nursing board examination was taken and from the state where you are currently licensed submit verification of your license directly to the Louisiana State Board of Nursing. This should be done through the NURSYS system unless the state’s Board of Nursing does not participate. If the state does not participate then the Verification of Nursing License form should be provided to them. They should submit the completed form directly to the Louisiana Board of Nursing at:

Louisiana State Board of Nursing
17373 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70810

As part of the application process, registered nurse licensure candidates must submit an original, signed, notarized Affidavit of Verification via U.S. mail to the Louisiana Board of Nursing at:

Louisiana State Board of Nursing
17373 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70810

To comply with Louisiana’s criminal background check requirement, after completing their licensure by endorsement, applicants  must download the forms found here and follow the instructions.  Submit the completed packet containing the receipt of payment, two authorization forms, and two FBI fingerprint cards directly to the board of nursing via U.S. postal mail. 

Louisiana offers a 90-day temporary permit that allows you to practice nursing in the state until full licensure by endorsement is issued. The cost for application for a 90-day temporary permit is an additional $100.

How to renew your Louisiana nursing license

Step 1: When to submit your renewal application

Louisiana requires registered nurses to renew their licenses every two years between October 1 and December 31. Applications for renewal that are received after December 31 will be charged a $50 late fee. Any licenses not renewed by January 31 of the following year will expire.  

Step 2: Fulfill continuing competency requirements

Louisiana’s State Board of Nursing requires registered nurses renewing their license to complete one of the following options during the two years of their valid license period: 

  1. 30 board-approved contact hours of continuing education; or 
  2. 900 practice hours as verified by their employer on a form provided by the board: or 
  3. Initial RN licensure by examination or endorsement during the previous calendar year; or 
  4. Current certification in a specialty area of nursing by a certifying body whose requirements have been approved by the board as being equivalent to or exceeding the above requirements.

You do not need to submit proof of completion of continuing education requirements unless you are notified that you were selected for a random audit. Incredible Health is here to help Louisiana nurses fulfill their continuing education requirements by offering free CEU credits. Once you’ve taken the course, you can immediately download a certificate of completion. 

Step 3: Submit your renewal application

Louisiana nurse licensure renewal application and fee of $61.08 are only accepted online, through the Nurse Portal.  

Louisiana nursing licensing fees

Below are the fees for becoming a nurse in Louisiana. These apply whether you are a first-time nurse or are moving to Louisiana from another state. For more information, visit the Louisiana licensing page. Separate license information for LPNs can be found at the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners. Louisiana is a  which allows nurses to hold multi-state licenses.

Licensing fees by examination (first-time nurses):

  • NCLEX fee: $200
  • Application fee: $100
  • Criminal background check fee: $39.25

Licensing fees by endorsement (already have RN licensure):

  • Application fee: $100
  • Temporary permit: $100
  • Criminal background check fee: $39.25

License renewal fees:

  • Application fee: $100

*Fees are subject to change.

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Continuing education requirements

RN

The renewal period is every 2 years. You must have completed at least 1 of the 2 options below during the 2-year licensure period:

  • Minimum of 30 board-approved contact hours of continuing education during the 2-year licensure period; or
  • A minimum of 900 practice hours during the 2-year licensure period as verified by the employer on a form provided by the board.

LPN

The renewal period is annual. You must have completed 1 of the following options:

  • Practiced nursing 1600 hours (or more) within the calendar year. Obtain a minimum of 5 contact hours of ANCC or State Board of Nursing accredited nursing CE annually for license renewal; or
  • Practiced nursing for at least 160 hours but less than 1600 hours within the calendar year. Obtain a minimum of 10 contact hours of ANCC or State BON accredited nursing CE annually for license renewal; or
  • Practiced nursing for less than 160 hours during the calendar year. Obtain a minimum of 15 contact hours of ANCC or State BON accredited nursing CE annually for license renewal. Note: Nurses with 15 or more ANCC/BON accredited nursing contact hours do not need to provide proof of nursing practice hours verified by their employer if audited.

APRN

The renewal period is every 2 years. You must complete all of the following:

  • 30 CEUs at the advanced level and directly related to the full scope of the advanced practice role and population focus for APRN; and
    • 6 hours in pharmacotherapeutics for APRNs with prescriptive authority
    • APRNs with Controlled Substance Authority need 3 hours as a prerequisite for license renewal. (This is a one-time requirement.)

Incredible Health offers ANCC-accredited continuing education courses for nurses in all 50 states, 100% free, and conveniently online. The Louisiana State Board of Nursing accepts courses that are ANCC accredited.  

How to contact the Louisiana Board of Nursing

Louisiana State Board of Nursing

Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners (for LPNs)

More Virginia Resources

Written by Andi Tailleart

Andi joined Incredible Health in April 2021, after earning her Master of Education in Learning Design and Technology from Arizona State University. She has written for blogs, non-profit organizations, and academic papers. Andi is responsible for editing blog content for the Incredible Health website and thoroughly enjoys helping nurses get the information they need to succeed.

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