Is Louisiana a compact (multistate) nursing state?

Yes. Louisiana is a fully implemented member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a nurse whose primary residence is Louisiana can apply for a multistate license and practice in other compact states without a separate license in each one.

Who regulates nursing in Louisiana?

Two boards share the work. The Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) regulates registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses, and the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners (LSBPNE) regulates licensed practical nurses. Each sets its own licensure and program-approval rules.

How do I register for the NCLEX in Louisiana?

Apply for licensure by examination with the appropriate Louisiana board (LSBN for RNs, LSBPNE for LPNs), then register for the NCLEX with Pearson VUE and pay the exam fee. After the board confirms your eligibility you receive an Authorization to Test and schedule at a Pearson VUE center. The NCLEX itself is developed by NCSBN.

How can I verify a Louisiana nursing license?

Use the Louisiana State Board of Nursing's public License Lookup for RNs and APRNs; LPN records are verified through the LSBPNE. Louisiana licenses can also be confirmed through Nursys, NCSBN's national verification system.

What nursing schools are in Louisiana?

Louisiana nursing programs include LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing, Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, and Loyola University New Orleans. Confirm a program's current board approval status with the LSBN or LSBPNE directly.

LA· Nursing licensure & NCLEX prep

NCLEX practice questions for Louisiana nurses & students

Louisiana is unusual in splitting nursing regulation between two separate boards: the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) licenses registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses, while the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners (LSBPNE) licenses licensed practical nurses. Both boards approve the state's own nursing programs and process license applications independently. Louisiana's participation in the Nurse Licensure Compact means a resident RN or LPN can practice across member states on a single multistate license.

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Board of Nursing: Louisiana State Board of Nursing
Compact status: Nurse Licensure Compact member
License verification: Look up a license — LSBN License Lookup

Take the mixed practice exam Read the study guides

Nurse Licensure Compact

Nurse Licensure Compact member

Louisiana is a fully implemented Nurse Licensure Compact state, so an eligible Louisiana-resident nurse can hold one multistate license and use it to practice in other compact states.

Who regulates nursing

Louisiana State Board of Nursing

Nursing licensure in Louisiana is set by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing. For official, current requirements, use the board directly.

Look up a license — LSBN License Lookup

How to register for the NCLEX in Louisiana

1. Apply for licensure by examination with the Louisiana State Board of Nursing and meet its eligibility requirements.
2. Register for the NCLEX with Pearson VUE and pay the exam fee.
3. Once the board finds you eligible, you receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) and schedule at a Pearson VUE test center.
4.Use NursingCEA’s topic quizzes and study guides to prepare in the meantime.

Nursing schools in Louisiana

A few of the nursing programs based in Louisiana:

LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing
Southeastern Louisiana University School of Nursing (Hammond)
Southern University and A&M College School of Nursing (Baton Rouge)
Loyola University New Orleans School of Nursing

License renewal & continuing education in Louisiana

License renewal: Every two years (biennial); the online renewal season runs October 1 through December 31.
RN continuing education: During each two-year licensure period an RN must satisfy at least ONE of these options: 30 board-approved contact hours of continuing education; 900 practice hours (verified by the employer on a board form); initial RN licensure by examination or endorsement during the previous calendar year; or current certification in a nursing specialty by a board-approved certifying body.

Nurses issued their initial Louisiana RN license during the current year are exempt from the continuing-education requirement for that renewal.

Louisiana State Board of Nursing renewal details How nursing CE works

NursingCEA does not provide continuing-education credit, contact hours, or certificates — we offer free practice questions and study material only. Requirements are set by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing and change over time; always confirm the current rules with the board.

Louisiana nursing & NCLEX — frequently asked

: Yes. Louisiana is a fully implemented member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a nurse whose primary residence is Louisiana can apply for a multistate license and practice in other compact states without a separate license in each one.
: Two boards share the work. The Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) regulates registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses, and the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners (LSBPNE) regulates licensed practical nurses. Each sets its own licensure and program-approval rules.
: Apply for licensure by examination with the appropriate Louisiana board (LSBN for RNs, LSBPNE for LPNs), then register for the NCLEX with Pearson VUE and pay the exam fee. After the board confirms your eligibility you receive an Authorization to Test and schedule at a Pearson VUE center. The NCLEX itself is developed by NCSBN.
: Use the Louisiana State Board of Nursing's public License Lookup for RNs and APRNs; LPN records are verified through the LSBPNE. Louisiana licenses can also be confirmed through Nursys, NCSBN's national verification system.
: Louisiana nursing programs include LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing, Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, and Loyola University New Orleans. Confirm a program's current board approval status with the LSBN or LSBPNE directly.

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All material on this site is original and for practice and study only — it is not official licensure guidance. For current licensure requirements, rely on the Louisiana State Board of Nursing. NursingCEA is not affiliated with the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.

Free NCLEX prep for Louisiananurses & students

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Free NCLEX practice test

A full-length practice exam across all eight nursing topics — every answer explained and cited to a clinical source.

Study guides by topic

High-yield concepts and the key values worth memorizing before you drill the questions.

Nursing CE & license renewal

How continuing education and license renewal work once you’re licensed — the rules by state, explained.

Practice questions by topic

Eight topic quizzes with a cited rationale on every question — pick one to study it in depth.

PHARM

Pharmacology

MEDSURG

Medical-Surgical

PEDS

Pediatrics

OB & Maternity

PSYCH

Mental Health

FUND

Fundamentals

DOSE

Dosage Calculations

LEAD

Leadership & Management