Louisiana nursing license rules
Compact stateRN and LPN · Last checked November 4, 2026 · Sources
Louisiana is a compact state (since July 2019). If your primary state of residence is another compact state and you hold a multistate license, you can work in Louisiana in person or by telehealth without a new license. If you live in Louisiana, your multistate license is issued here.
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years (biennial)
- When it expires
- Renewal season Oct 1 - Dec 31; licenses expire Jan 31 if not renewed
- Renewal fee
- Not confirmed yet. Check with the board
- Continuing education
- 30 contact hours per renewal cycle
- Required CE topics
- None found on the board's pages.
- Endorsement fee
- $100
- Fingerprints for endorsement
- Yes, a criminal background check with fingerprints
- Temporary permit
- Available. 90-day endorsement permit, extra $100 (total $200); not for internationally educated nurses
- How to apply
- Apply in Nurse Portal; verify licenses via Nursys; LSP/FBI fingerprints via IdentoGO; notarized Affidavit of Verification mailed; practice within last 4 years verified by employer.
- Renewal cycle
- Every year (annual)
- When it expires
- Renewal window Nov 1 - Jan 31; unrenewed license becomes Inactive-Lapsed after Jan 31
- Renewal fee
- $61.08
- Continuing education
- None required for LPN renewal (LSBPNE). You report your most recent employer and last date of practice on the renewal form.
- Required CE topics
- None found on the board's pages.
- Endorsement fee
- $185
Plus a 1.8% state charge - Fingerprints for endorsement
- Yes, a criminal background check with fingerprints
- Temporary permit
- Available. Temporary work permit issued by LSBPNE; duration/fee not stated on endorsement page
- How to apply
- Nurse Portal application; verify original exam license (Nursys); LSP/FBI background check; proof of IV therapy training; certified birth certificate.
Moving or traveling
Moving to Louisiana from another compact state? Apply by endorsement in the new home state within 60 days (rule effective 2024-01-02). May keep practicing on the old multistate license until the new one is issued; the old one is then deactivated. Can apply before moving.
Moving here from a non-compact state? Apply by endorsement in the new home state; a multistate license may be issued if residency and uniform requirements (incl. state and federal fingerprint background checks) are met. The old single-state license is unaffected.
Board of nursing
Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN)
Licenses: RN, APRN
Board home · Renewal · Endorsement · CE rulesLouisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners (LSBPNE)
Licenses: LPN
Board home · Renewal · EndorsementSources
- https://www.nursecompact.com/files/NLC_Map.pdf
- https://www.lsbn.state.la.us/renewal-faqs/
- https://www.lsbn.state.la.us/continuing-education-faqs/
- https://www.lsbn.state.la.us/continuing-education-2/
- https://www.lsbn.state.la.us/applications/
- https://www.lsbn.state.la.us/wp-content/uploads/credentialing/RNEndorsementApplication.pdf
- https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=94517
- https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=94544
- https://www.lsbpne.la.gov/
- https://www.lsbpne.la.gov/license-renewal/
- https://www.lsbpne.la.gov/licensure-by-endorsement
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