Louisiana Nursing License Requirements
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- Nurses in Louisiana can get a license by examination or endorsement.
- The Louisiana State Board of Nursing regulates nursing license eligibility and renewal.
- Nurses in Louisiana can choose to get an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing.
If you're looking for a rewarding career in nursing, Louisiana offers growing opportunities in various healthcare settings. This page covers the educational requirements for Louisiana nurses, the two pathways to Louisiana state licensure, the application process provided by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing, and the rules for maintaining and renewing licenses.
Louisiana State Board of Nursing
The Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) is the regulatory body that sets standards and requirements for nursing in the state. The LSBN issues licenses, determines the scope of nursing practice, and handles disciplinary actions.
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Louisiana Nursing Education Requirements
Registered nurses (RNs)in Louisiana must hold a two-year associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a four-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). Applicants must also earn a passing score on the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to qualify for state licensure.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
The two-year ADN is the fastest pathway to an RN career in Louisiana and the minimum degree requirement for RN licensure. Nurses who complete their ADN are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam.
The ADN curriculum, which requires approximately 60 credits, features foundational nursing courses like anatomy and physiology, microbiology, lifespan development, ethics, and health assessment. Students in ADN programs also complete approximately 700 supervised clinical hours working in simulated labs and real-world healthcare settings.
Bachelor's in Nursing (BSN)
Like an ADN, a BSN prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN exam and RN licensure, but this degree may lead to more career opportunities. A BSN also provides the educational prerequisites needed to pursue a master of science in nursing, which opens up broader professional opportunities in administration and advanced practice nursing roles.
A four-year BSN curriculum consists of general education courses and a core nursing curriculum, followed by upper-division coursework covering areas like nursing theory, community health, research, and other advanced concepts. BSN programs can also require up to 800 clinical hours.
Applying for a Nursing License in Louisiana
To become a registered nurse in Louisiana, you must meet the RN licensing requirements established by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing. Because Louisiana is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, nurses may apply for a multistate license that allows them to practice in Louisiana and all other Compact states. Louisiana provides two options for RN licensure: by examination or by endorsement.
RN Licensure by Examination
The Louisiana nursing licensure by examination application is for nurses seeking a license for the first time. Applicants must submit a completed application form, a $100 application fee, a $39.25 for a criminal background check, and all requested documentation. Licensure by examination also requires the following:
- Proof of a nursing degree
- A passing score on the NCLEX-RN (within four attempts and within four years of graduation)
- No pending civil or criminal charges against the applicant and no disciplinary actions by any nursing or other health regulatory board
- Declaration of Louisiana as the primary state of residence
- Current government-issued photo identification (e.g., a U.S. Residency Card or Green Card, passport, or driver’s license)
- A criminal background check sent directly to the LSBN by mail or in person (after completion of the application)
- A signed, notarized Affidavit of Verification sent directly to the LSBN office via U.S. mail
RN Licensure by Endorsement
The licensure by endorsement application is for RNs who already hold a valid license in one state but are seeking licensure to work in Louisiana. The completed application for licensure by endorsement requires a $100 application fee, $39.25 for a criminal background check, and all required documentation. Licensure by endorsement also requires the following:
- A nursing degree approved by the LSBN
- A passing score on the NCLEX-RN
- Current, valid, unrestricted RN license
- No pending civil or criminal charges against the applicant and no disciplinary actions by any nursing or other health regulatory board
- Declaration of Louisiana as the primary state of residence
- Current government-issued photo identification (e.g., U.S. Residency Card or Green Card, passport, or driver’s license)
- A criminal background check sent directly to the LSBN by mail or in person (after completion of the application)
- A signed, notarized Affidavit of Verification sent directly to the LSBN office via U.S. mail
How to Maintain Your Nursing License in Louisiana
RNs must renew their licenses every other year between October 1 and December 31. After December 31, the LSBN charges a $50 late fee. Licenses not renewed by January 31 automatically expire. If you miss the renewal deadline, your license becomes invalid, and you must apply for reinstatement.
The renewal application must be completed online through LSBN's Nurse Portal. The requirements for renewal include completion of the online application, evidence of fulfilling all contact hours required for continuing education, and payment of a $100 fee by credit card only.
You must document a minimum of 30 board-approved continuing education hours during the two-year licensure period or a minimum of 900 practice hours during the two-year period as verified by an employer.
You may also qualify for renewal if you obtained your initial RN licensure by examination or by endorsement during the previous calendar year or if you have received a certification in a specialty area by a certifying organization whose requirements have been approved by the LSBN as equivalent to or exceeding the above requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing in Louisiana
How long does it take to get a Louisiana RN license?
The time needed to become an RN depends on your educational pathway and enrollment status. An ADN degree typically requires two years of full-time study, while a BSN may take up to four years. After completing your degree, you must pass the NCLEX-RN exam, which adds to the time before you can acquire your license.
What do you need to become an RN in Louisiana?
To practice as an RN in Louisiana, you must hold a nursing degree, receive a passing score on the NCLEX-RN exam, and complete the application for licensure — either by examination or by endorsement. You must also pass a criminal background check and have no pending criminal or civil charges against you or restrictions placed on your record by any out-of-state nursing agency or regulatory board.
How much does an RN earn in Louisiana?
According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data from May 2022, Louisiana employs 43,790 nurses who earn an annual mean salary of $75,920. RNs who work in the state’s urban centers tend to earn higher salaries. For example, RNs in the New Orleans-Metairie metropolitan area made an average yearly salary of $79,420. In the Shreveport-Bossier City area, RNs earned $77,590 annually.
How often do you renew a Louisiana nursing license?
RN license renewals must be completed every two years between October 1 and December 31. RNs must complete the renewal application and pay the $100 fee online. Renewals after December 31 incur a late renewal fee of $50. After January 31, licenses become invalid. The entire LSBN renewal process is electronically delivered. The board does not offer in-person renewal services or provide paper applications.
