Louisiana Nurse Licensing Guide

Permanent License

The board does not comment on a timeframe for permanent licensure, 4-6 weeks upon receipt of all required materials is typical.

Temporary License

The board does not comment on a timeframe for temporary licensure.

Permanent License

1. Submit an application online and pay the fee. The process for RNs and LPNs is similar, but the applications are submitted to different boards of nursing. You can find the RN application on the Louisiana RN board portal and the LPN application portal on the practical nursing board site.
2. Provide your Social Security Number and valid form of identification specified on the BON’s portal.
3. Request verification of licensure via Nursys from your original state of licensure and the state where you are currently employed. If these states do not participate in Nursys, you will need to contact that state's BON and request verification be sent to the Louisiana BON.
4. RNs: Submit an original, signed, notarized Affidavit of Verification sent directly to the Louisiana State Board of Nursing office via US postal mail.
5. Provide a background check with fingerprints.

• ‍RNs: Specific directions are available in the LSBN fingerprint instructions (PDF).
• ‍LPNs: Specific directions are available on the LSBPNE background check page.
  

RN Temporary License

1. If you wish to be issued a provisional license, please indicate this on your application and pay the fee.
2. Temporary permits are valid for 90 days.
3. Once all items have been received by the BON, you may be issued a provisional license. Temporary licenses are unavailable to those who have had criminal or disciplinary action against their licenses.
4. Temporary permits can only be distributed to nurses who reside in and plan to work in Louisiana.
   

Walk-Through License

1. Submit an application online and pay the fee
2. Arrive in person and provide an original and valid government-issued photo identification (such as a US passport or driver’s license)
3. Provide a completed and notarized Affidavit of Verification form
4. Provide a completed cover sheet (p. 6 in this packet)
5. Provide a completed authorization forms CBC1a & CBC1b (p. 7 & 8 in this packet)
6. Provide a background check with fingerprints. You will have your fingerprints scanned on-site for the required Complete Background Check and will need to pay the associated fee in person.
7. The Louisiana Board of Nursing will look up your education and your RN licenses while you are there.
8. Walkthrough permits are valid for 90 days.

Endorsement Application: RN: $139.25, LPN: $185.00

Temporary License: RN: $239.25, LPN: Not available

Fingerprinting Fee: $10.00

• Louisiana has separate Boards of Nursing for RNs and LPNs. You can find the Louisiana State Board of Nursing for RNs at lsbn.state.la.us and the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurses at lsbpne.com.
• You will be notified through the message center in the respective Nurse Portal when the application has been approved or if additional information is required.
• Your application is valid for 12 months. If incomplete after 12 months have passed, your application will be discarded, and you must reapply and repay the application fee.
• RNs can apply for a temporary disaster license. See more information in the disaster permit affidavit (PDF) for terms and conditions.
• You can change your SSL to a MSL via the nursing portal.

• Renewal cadence:
  • RNs: Initial licenses are valid for 1 year. Subsequent licenses are valid for 2 years. The renewal period is between October 1st and December 31st, and renewal is available via the nursing portal. ‍
  • ‍LPNS: All LPN licenses expire on January 31st of each year and must be renewed. The renewal link will only appear on your online portal account during the active renewal period, which is November 1st through January 31st.
    

• Renewal fee:
  • ‍RNs: $200.00 if renewed on time. Late renewals will incur an additional fee of $50. ‍
  • LPNs: $61.08. After midnight on January 31st, if you have not renewed your license for the current year, your license will lapse. The fee to reinstate a lapsed license is $162.88

• Required contact hours:
  • ‍RNs: During the two-year renewal period, you must complete one of the following:
    • A minimum of 30 board-approved contact hours of continuing education during the two-year licensure period
    • A minimum of 900 practice hours during the two-year licensure period as verified by the employer on a form provided by the board
    • Current certification in a specialty area of nursing by a certifying body whose requirements have been approved by the board. ‍
  • ‍LPNs: There are no contact hours required for LPN license renewal, but LPNs cannot go more than 4 years without practicing to qualify for renewal. You must indicate your most recent employer and last date practiced on the LPN renewal application.

• If your license has not been renewed by the renewal date, your license will lapse, and you will be unable to work until your license has been reinstated.