Louisiana Nursing License
How to get your Louisiana nursing license
- Complete an approved nursing program (RN or LPN/LVN).
- Pass the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN examination.
- Apply to the Louisiana State Board of Nursing for licensure by examination or endorsement.
- Complete the required criminal background check and pay licensure fees.
- If your primary residence is Louisiana, you may apply for a multistate (compact) license.
Louisiana licensing at a glance
| Initial license fee | $100 |
|---|---|
| Continuing education | 30 hours / 2 years |
| Compact (NLC) member | Yes |
The $100 is the Board application fee. 30 CE contact hours are required per 2-year cycle, or 900 practice hours as an alternative. The renewal-fee amount varies across sources and is confirmed only in the board portal, so it is omitted here. NLC member since July 1, 2019.
Official resources
- Louisiana State Board of Nursing — apply, renew, and check requirements.
- Verify a nursing license (Nursys)
- Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) map — which states honor a multistate license.
- Directory of state boards of nursing (NCSBN)
Louisiana nursing license FAQ
- Does my compact nursing license let me work in Louisiana?
- Yes. Louisiana is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, so a multistate license issued by your compact home state covers practice in Louisiana without a separate application.
- How much does a Louisiana nursing license cost?
- The initial RN licensure fee in Louisiana is $100.
- How many continuing-education hours does Louisiana require?
- Louisiana requires 30 hours / 2 years for RN license renewal.
- How do I verify a Louisiana nursing license?
- Verify any U.S. nursing license through Nursys, the national verification system operated by the state boards of nursing.