Registered Nurse / Louisiana
2026 data Louisiana board official source

Louisiana Registered Nurse License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Provides patient care, administers medications, and coordinates with physicians. Requires NCLEX-RN exam.

What the Louisiana data shows for Registered Nurses

To practice as a registered nurse in Louisiana, the state licensing board requires 2,730 documented education or training hours, a passing score on NCLEX-RN. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Louisiana's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing".

The initial price tag is $75, and renewal costs $50 every 2 years. Applications usually take around 4 weeks to process once complete. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 30 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

For registered nurses, the reciprocity picture is: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
39/100
Registered Nurse · Louisiana

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
2,730 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$203
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$71/yr
$141 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
15.0 hrs/yr
30 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Louisiana

Education / Training Hours
Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing
2,730 hours
Exam Requirement
NCLEX-RN
Required
Initial License Fee
$203
Renewal Fee
$141
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Processing Time
After complete application submitted
4 wks
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Compare fees across all states for Registered Nurse →

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Registered Nurse All Louisiana licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Louisiana licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Registered Nurse in Louisiana? ▼
Louisiana requires 2730 education/training hours, passing an exam (NCLEX-RN), and an initial fee of $203. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Registered Nurse in Louisiana? ▼
To become a licensed registered nurse in Louisiana, you must meet the state's requirements including 2730 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Louisiana licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Registered Nurse license to Louisiana from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for registered nurses: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Louisiana licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Louisiana require a background check for Registered Nurse licensing? ▼
Yes, Louisiana requires a criminal background check as part of the registered nurse licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Registered Nurse in Louisiana? ▼
Licensed registered nurses in Louisiana must complete 30 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $141.
How much does it cost to get a Registered Nurse license in Louisiana? ▼
The initial licensing fee in Louisiana is $75. The renewal fee is $50 every 2 years. Processing typically takes 4 weeks after submitting your complete application.
How long does Registered Nurse license processing take in Louisiana? ▼
In Louisiana, license processing for registered nurses typically takes approximately 4 weeks after your complete application is submitted. Processing times may vary based on application volume and completeness of documentation.

Related Guides

What to do with this registered nurse license

Registered Nurse in Louisiana, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a registered nurse-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Louisiana's registered nurse requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Registered Nurse in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state registered nurse license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Louisiana's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Louisiana overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Louisiana licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.