Louisiana Nursing License Renewal: 3 Steps

Louisiana is famed for its lively music, delectable cuisine, and colorful Mardi Gras celebrations. From the historic French quarter to the tranquil bayous, you can find traditional Creole cuisine and unique cultural attractions in this southern state. And with a population of more than 4.5 million, people in the Bayou State depend on dedicated nursing professionals to keep them healthy.

If you’re a CNA, LPN, RN, or APRN in Louisiana, you’ll need to stay up to date on your license renewals to continue practicing. Here are some quick facts about being a nurse in Louisiana, and the step-by-step process for your Louisiana nursing license renewal.

Louisiana Nursing Facts

Is Louisiana part of the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC)?

Yes, a compact nursing license is valid in Louisiana. Learn more about requirements in our license renewal state guide.

How much do nurses in Louisiana earn?

• The average CNA salary in Louisiana is $30,420 per year.
• The average LPN salary in Louisiana is $51,700 per year.
• The average RN salary in Louisiana is $80,760 per year.
• The average APRN salary in Louisiana is $118,670 per year.

How can I contact the Louisiana Board of Nursing?

View the Louisiana board of nursing contacts page for the phone number, fax, and email that corresponds with your needs.

Louisiana Board of Nursing Administration Fax: 225-755-7584

Louisiana Board of Nursing Phone Number: 225-755-7500

Louisiana Board of Nursing Website: https://www.lsbn.state.la.us/

Louisiana Board of Nursing Address:

17373 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70810

Louisiana Nursing License Renewal: 3 Steps

In Louisiana, nursing credentials are supervised by three different organizations. View the links corresponding with your license below:

• CNA (Certified Nurse Aide): Louisiana Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry
• LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse): Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners
• RN and APRN (Registered Nurse and Advanced Practice RN): Louisiana State Board of Nursing

If you have an RN license in another state, you’ll need to complete a license by endorsement application to transfer your license to Louisiana. LPNs will get endorsement through the LPN state board.

Step 1: Determine Your Renewal Deadline

CNAs who have worked in the last two years will have their registry status renewed automatically if they submit work history requirements. LPNs, RNs, and APRNs will renew their Louisiana credentials every two years, within their renewal windows. See the renewal window that corresponds with your credentials below.

• LPN Renewals: November 1 through January 31
• RN and APRN Renewals: October 1 through December 31

CNAs can use the Louisiana CNA registry to look up renewal times. If you’re not sure when to renew your LPN license, use the Nursys system to verify. RNs and APRNs can use the Louisiana State Board of Nursing license lookup page.

Step 2: Satisfy Continuing Education Requirements

Depending on your license, you’ll need to work a certain number of hours or complete continuing education coursework. Check out the Louisiana nursing license renewal requirements that correspond with your credentials:

• CNA: Must have worked at least 8 hours in the past 2 years. These hours must include nursing or nurse-related duties, performed in an approved setting.
• LPN: Must have worked at least 8 practice hours in the past 2 years. These hours must include nursing or nurse duties performed in a professional setting.
• RN: Need a minimum of 30 continuing competency hours or 900 hours of clinical practice. If you got your license in the past year, or you have a current specialty certification approved by the board, you can bypass these requirements.
• APRN: Board-certified APRNs meet renewal requirements by holding an approved certification. In addition, APRNS with prescriptive authority will need 6 contact hours of pharmacotherapeutics every year (12 hours per renewal).

If you’re looking for contact hours, IntelyEdu has you covered. We have 100+ professional development courses approved by the ANCC.

Step 3: File Your License Renewal Application

Once you’re finished with your competency requirements, file your Louisiana nursing license renewal online. Practical nurses will receive an email at the start of their renewal period; Follow the link to renew with the LPN portal. RNs will renew with the Louisiana State Board of Nursing license renewal portal. APRNs must renew their RN licenses first before renewing their advanced credentials through the same portal.

See the renewal portal and fees that correspond with your license below:

• LPNs: $61.08 (renewing a lapsed license is $162.88)
• RNs: $200
• APRNs: $200 (APRNs must pay RN renewal fees as well)

Once you’ve applied for renewal, the RN or LPN nurse portal can take a day or two to update your license expiration date. You’ll no longer get a paper license in the mail, but it will be updated on the license lookup site.

Great Areas in Louisiana for Nursing Jobs

Whether you’re a CNA, LPN, RN, or NP, Louisiana has jobs for you. See these top cities for nursing jobs:

• New Orleans
• Baton Rouge
• Shreveport
• Lafayette
• Lake Charles

Find Great Nursing Jobs in Louisiana

Once you’ve finished your Louisiana nursing license renewal, you might want to renew your resume and check out nursing jobs in the Bayou State. Check out nursing jobs in Louisiana on IntelyCare.