Louisiana gives RNs a choice: complete 30 CE contact hours or log 900 practice hours during the 2-year licensure period. With additional requirements for APRNs and a random audit process, here's your complete guide to a smooth renewal.
Louisiana RN License Renewal Requirements Overview
The Louisiana State Board of Nursing requires Registered Nurses to complete either 30 board-approved contact hours of CE or 900 practice hours during each 2-year licensure period. National nursing specialty certification may also satisfy the requirement.
Louisiana is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, so nurses with a multistate license can practice across all compact states without additional applications.
What Is Required for Renewal?
For RNs (choose one):
- 30 board-approved CE contact hours during the 2-year licensure period
- 900 practice hours during the 2-year licensure period, as verified by the employer
- Initial licensure by examination or endorsement during the previous calendar year
- Current national certification in a specialty area approved by the board
For APRNs with Prescriptive Authority:
- 12 contact hours biennially (6 annually) in pharmacotherapeutics relative to advanced practice population foci
- 3 hours on controlled substances for those renewing controlled substances prescriptive authority, including drug diversion training and prescribing best practices
Important Renewal Dates
- RN renewal period: October 1 through December 31
- Deadline: December 31 of the renewal year
- Late renewal: Through January 31 with a $50 late fee
- After January 31: License lapses and reinstatement is required
- Renewal fee: $100 for RN
Step-by-Step: How to Renew Your Louisiana Nursing License
- Complete your CE or practice hours. Finish 30 approved CE contact hours or document 900 practice hours before the renewal deadline.
- Log in to the LSBN portal. Visit lsbn.state.la.us between October 1 and December 31 to begin your renewal.
- Complete the renewal application. Answer all required questions and attest to having met CE or practice requirements.
- Pay the renewal fee. The current fee is $100 for RN renewal.
- Retain all documentation. Keep CE certificates and employment verification records — at least 3% of nurses are randomly audited each year.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not choosing a pathway early. Louisiana offers multiple pathways (CE hours, practice hours, certification), but you must fully complete at least one before submitting your renewal. Don't assume you can mix partial completion across pathways.
- Missing the December 31 deadline. While a late renewal period extends through January 31 with a $50 late fee, after that date your license lapses entirely and reinstatement is required.
- Not keeping audit-ready records. Louisiana randomly audits at least 3% of renewing nurses each year. Keep all CE certificates and employer verification forms organized.
- APRNs overlooking pharmacotherapeutics hours. The 12 biennial hours in pharmacotherapeutics are specific to your advanced practice population foci — generic pharmacology courses may not qualify.
Tips for a Smooth Renewal
- Decide your pathway early. If you're working full-time, the 900 practice hours pathway may already be met. Part-time nurses may find the 30 CE hours more straightforward.
- LPN nurses: check the LSBPNE. LPN licensing in Louisiana is governed by the separate Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners, which has its own renewal process and timeline.
- Stay organized with RenewRN. RenewRN tracks your CE hours or practice hours, monitors APRN requirements, and sends deadline reminders so you're always audit-ready.
- Use your NLC multistate license. As a compact state, Louisiana's multistate license lets you practice in other NLC states — ideal for travel nursing or telehealth across state lines.
Track Your Louisiana CE Requirements with RenewRN
Louisiana's multiple renewal pathways and random audit process mean organization is key. RenewRN tracks your progress whether you choose CE hours or practice hours, monitors APRN requirements, and sends reminders at 90, 60, 30, 7, and 1 day before your December 31 deadline.