The occupational outlook for registered nurses is expected to grow 12% from 2018 to 2028, outpacing the average for all occupations in a response to the national healthcare shortage. In addition to job security from growing demand and shortage of workers, nursing jobs also provide benefits such as career and schedule flexibility, mental satisfaction, and high salary packages. The average nurse salary in the U.S. was $75,510 per year as of 2018. The 2018 average salary for registered nurses in Louisiana is lower than the national average, estimated to be around $63,970 per year or $30.76 per hour.
Every state has its own certifications at the state or local level. Registered nurses in Louisiana are licensed at the state level. There are two pathways to gain licensure in Louisiana: you may either pass the exam or apply for endorsement if you are duly licensed in another state, territory, or country. The typical timeframe to receive a permanent license is 4-6 weeks. You will need to meet one of the sets of requirements as detailed in this guide, to become a licensed registered nurse in the Sugar State.
Louisiana State Board of Nursing
The Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) is responsible for licensure of registered nurses (RNs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), approval of educational programs, practice standards, compliance processes, and the Nurse Recovery Program.
For more information, you may contact the LSBN at (225)755-7500, or email lsbn@lsbn.state.la.us. Written correspondence can be sent to:
Louisiana State Board of Nursing
17373 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70810
Registered Nurse Education Requirements
To become a registered nurse, you must attend an accredited nursing school approved by the Nursing Board of Louisiana. Schools must be approved by accreditation bodies such as the ACEN or the CCNE. There are many accredited nursing schools in Louisiana with a number of options for nursing programs that result in a range of degrees from associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, to doctoral.
Earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) in nursing programs and taking the NCLEX will establish you as an RN. However, those interested in pursuing a career in this field should consider seeking a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN), as the American Association of Colleges of Nursing specifically recognizes the BSN as the minimum educational requirement for professional-level nursing practice.
RN Licensure by Examination
There are two ways to receive nursing licensure in Louisiana: licensure by examination, and by endorsement. Receiving licensure by endorsement is covered in later sections of this guide.
To apply for licensure by examination, you must complete your education and take the NCLEX exam. Applicants must not have any pending civil or criminal charges and must be able to provide evidence of proficiency in the English language and a United States Social Security number. Applications for licensure and information on testing vendors are only available through the online Lousiana nurse portal.
During the online application process you will need to provide:
- A photocopy of your government-issued photo ID;
- A driver’s license with your current address, your federal income tax return with your residence declaration, or a military form no. 2058.
- You will need to submit two non-refundable fees:
- An application fee of $100.
- A criminal background check fee of $39.25.
- Applicants must submit an Affidavit of Graduation form to verify the completion of a nursing program, as well as official transcripts.
- If applicable, you may also need to submit accommodation request documents or verification of out-of-state testing forms.
Fingerprinting and Background Checks
The Louisiana State Board of Nursing does require fingerprinting and criminal background checks. If you are applying for initial licensure, your fingerprinting card must be accompanied by a copy of your receipt. Fees, procedures, and locations for fingerprinting services may vary.
The criminal background check costs $39.25 but the fee is subject to change. Individuals who are already nurses and are applying by endorsement may need to attend a “live scan” service at the LSBN office for a cost of $10.
Testing Vendors and Proctors
Registration for the exam may be done once your application has been completed. The registration form is available from Pearson Vue. You may also register by calling 1-866-496-2539. You must create an NCLEX testing web account to schedule your examination and check the necessary fees and payments.
Official exam results will be released to the candidate within three weeks of testing. If a candidate fails the NCLEX, they must fill out a retake exam application through the online nursing portal and may need to re-register with Pearson Vue. Candidates may not reschedule the test until at least 45 days from the original test date. RN candidates may wish to take advantage of free online practice test questions as part of their preparation for the exam to avoid having to retake the test.
RN Licensure by Endorsement (Out of State Applicants)
If you already hold an RN license from another state or country, you must apply for licensure by endorsement to practice in Louisiana, unless you have a multi-state license — see the nurse licensure compact section below.
To be eligible for endorsement, you must:
- Possess a current and valid unrestricted RN license from another US state, territory, or country and a Social Security number.
- Possess current RN licensure issued directly from the jurisdiction of last employment.
- Have completed an education program approved by the LSBN, or have completed a program that exceeds the LSBN educational standards for programs in LA.
- Have successfully passed the NCLEX-RN exam.
- Have no grounds for pending disciplinary action by any nursing or health regulatory board, and no pending criminal charges.
- Provide evidence of proficiency in the English language.
Graduates from non-traditional programs must also include
- Documents supporting the equivalency of six months to one year of full-time clinical experience as an RN under the supervision of an RN.
- Have three letters of recommendation for licensure submitted to LSBN, signed by your employer/supervisor, attesting to your “satisfactory clinical performance”.
Licensure by Endorsement Application
To apply for a license by endorsement you must include the following in your application through the online portal:
- A photocopy of your government-issued photo ID;
- A driver’s license with your current address, your federal income tax return with your residence declaration, or a military form no. 2058.
- You must upload all necessary compliance documents in PDF format.
- You must pay all associated fees by credit card.
- A $100 application fee.
- A $100 temporary permit fee.
- A $39.25 background check fee.
- You must request verification of licensure to be submitted directly to the LSBN office from the state of licensure.
- This may include the original state you took the NCLEX.
- Endorsement from the jurisdiction of your last employment.
You must send all verification documents through the NurSys.com verification system. If your previous jurisdiction does not use Nursys, you must utilize the Verification of Nursing License form.
You may apply for a 90-day temporary endorsement permit that allows the applicant to practice nursing in Louisiana until the full RN licensure can be issued.
Nurse Licensure Compact
Louisiana is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact NLC, that allows nurses to apply for conversion to participating multi-state licenses. This multi-state license will allow nurses to practice in any of the NLC states without having to obtain additional licensure.
You may apply for a multistate license through the online portal by selecting “Other Applications” on the home page. You will need to be prepared to pay the necessary $50 fee, declare and attest to Louisiana as your primary state of residence (PSOR), and send your criminal background check to the LSBN office.
For eligibility, you must also:
- Possess a current and valid unrestricted RN license from another US state, territory, or country and a Social Security number.
- Possess current RN licensure issued directly from the jurisdiction of last employment.
- Have completed an education program approved by the LSBN, or have completed a program that exceeds the LSBN educational standards for programs in LA.
- Have successfully passed the NCLEX-RN exam or it’s recognized predecessor.
- Have no grounds for pending disciplinary action by any nursing or health regulatory board, and no pending criminal charges.
- Provide evidence of proficiency in the English language.
- Have no state or federal felony convictions.
- Have no misdemeanor conditions related to the practice of nursing.
- Not currently a participant in an alternative program.
- Be required to self-disclose current participation in an alternative program.
RN License Renewal
Nursing licenses in the State of Louisiana must be renewed annually through the online portal. For more information contact renewals@lsbn.state.la.us, or call (225)-755-7520.
Continuing Education Requirements
Continuing Education (CE) requirements are planned educational activities that are designed to update nursing knowledge and skills beyond the entry-level, or to prepare for practice in different areas of nursing. Required contact hours are dependent on the licensee’s nursing practice:
- Full-time RNs must complete 5 contact hours.
- Part-Time RNs must complete 10 contact hours.
- Not-employed or Inactive RNs must complete 15 contact hours.
All CEs must be approved and accredited by the ANCC, or the LSBN. Renewal season begins October 1st. For more information contact education@lsbn.state.la.us, or call (225)-755-7522.
Louisiana Nursing License Verification
To look up, verify, or monitor your Louisiana nursing status, utilize Nursys license verification services.
