Louisiana Registered Nurse (RN) License Renewal Requirements

Louisiana has separate Boards of Nursing for RNs and LPNs. RN licenses are regulated by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN). LPN licenses are regulated by the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners (LSBPNE). Louisiana is a member of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).

At a Glance

Detail	Information
RN Regulatory Body	Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN)
LPN Regulatory Body	Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners (LSBPNE)
Renewal Cycle	Every 2 years (biennial)
Renewal Season	October 1 – December 31 (on-time); January is late/grace
All Licenses Expire	January 31
CE Hours Required	30 hours (RN) or alternative; None (LPN)
Compact State (NLC)	Yes (eNLC member since 2019)
Online Renewal	Yes — Nurse Portal (mandatory)

Continuing Education Requirements

RN — Choose One Option

1. 30 board-approved contact hours of CE during the 2-year licensure period
2. 900 practice hours during the 2-year period (verified by employer on Board form)
3. Initial RN licensure (by exam or endorsement) during the previous calendar year
4. Current specialty certification by a Board-approved certifying body

LPN

No CE required for LPN license renewal at this time. However, LPNs cannot go more than 4 years without practicing.

APRN

• Must maintain current national certification/recertification
• 6 contact hours annually in pharmacotherapeutics in advanced nursing role and population focus (12 hours total over 2-year cycle if audited)
• 3 hours on controlled substance prescribing (if prescribing controlled substances)

Louisiana-Specific Notes

• Separate Boards. RNs and LPNs use different portals and different regulatory agencies. Don't submit to the wrong Board.
• Renewal season is fixed. Online renewal opens October 1 at 1:00 PM CST and closes midnight December 31. Renewals after midnight December 31 incur a $50 late fee. All licenses expire January 31 regardless.
• January is the grace/late period. You can still renew in January with the $50 late fee. After January 31, your license lapses and reinstatement is required ($162.88 for LPNs).
• Online renewal is mandatory. Paper applications are not accepted.
• No CE Broker. Louisiana does not use CE Broker. You attest to CE completion at renewal but must retain certificates for at least 5 years for audit.
• Annual post-renewal audits. LSBN audits a sample of recently renewed licensees annually.
• Compact state. Your license does not automatically convert to multistate at renewal — you must submit a separate conversion application.
• LSBN Nurse Portal works best on a Windows desktop in Chrome or Edge. Mobile devices are not supported.

How to Renew

RN (through LSBN)

1. Complete one of the four CE/competency options during the 2-year period
2. Log in to the LSBN Nurse Portal (opens October 1)
3. Submit the online renewal application
4. Pay the renewal fee
5. Retain CE documentation for at least 5 years

LPN (through LSBPNE)

1. Log in to the LSBPNE Nurse Portal (opens November 1)
2. Submit the online renewal application
3. Pay the $61.08 renewal fee
4. Complete by January 31

Fees

Fee Type	Amount
RN Renewal	Check LSBN for current fees
LPN Renewal	$61.08
Late Fee (after Dec 31)	$50 additional
Reinstatement (lapsed)	$162.88 (LPN)

Contact Information

Louisiana State Board of Nursing (RN/APRN)

• Website: lsbn.state.la.us
• Renewal FAQ: lsbn.state.la.us/renewal-faqs
• Phone: (225) 755-7500
• Address: 17373 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70810

Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners (LPN)

• Website: lsbpne.la.gov
• Phone: (504) 838-5791

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This page is for informational purposes only. Requirements may change — always verify current requirements with the appropriate Louisiana Board before renewing. Last reviewed March 2026.

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