Getting a Louisiana nursing license by endorsement

Reviewed by Keegan, RN · ER & NICU travel nurse

Endorsement timeline, fees & requirements · Verified 2026-06-18

Not published.

Louisiana endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

How it works: Louisiana grants licensure by endorsement to an applicant holding a current, unrestricted RN license elsewhere who has practiced within the last four years; you apply through the LARN portal.
Processing time: Not published.
Work while waiting: Yes. Louisiana offers a 90-day temporary endorsement permit, for an additional fee, that lets you practice in Louisiana until full licensure issues. It does not authorize practice elsewhere, and internationally educated nurses are not eligible.
Requirements: Verify licenses through Nursys or a paper form for non-Nursys states, plus a notarized Affidavit of Verification mailed to the board and a verification of employment showing practice within four years. Criminal background check with fingerprints at IdentoGo. No state jurisprudence exam.
Fees: $100 for full licensure, or $200 with the 90-day temporary permit ($100 application plus $100 permit). Non-refundable; fingerprint costs are extra.
Compact rules: Louisiana is a compact state. If your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license already covers Louisiana practice. To get a Louisiana multistate license you must declare Louisiana as your primary residence; otherwise a single-state license authorizes practice only in Louisiana. A multistate holder not moving their residence should contact the board before applying.

Source: Louisiana State Board of Nursing, RN endorsement instructions, last checked 2026-06-18. Fees and timelines change; confirm with the board before you rely on a date.

Steps to endorse into Louisiana

1Check whether you even need Louisiana endorsement: if your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license may already cover you.
2Verify every nursing license you have held through Nursys (or the board's paper verification form for non-Nursys states).
3Complete the required criminal background check and fingerprinting.
4Submit the Louisiana State Board of Nursing endorsement application and fee, plus any transcripts, state coursework, or jurisprudence exam the board requires.
5Apply for a temporary or interim permit if the state offers one and you need to work before the permanent license issues.

Start at the source: Louisiana State Board of Nursing or the online licensing portal. Not sure if you even need to endorse? The compact eligibility quiz sorts compact privilege from a required license in two minutes.

Louisiana endorsement FAQ

How long does it take to get a Louisiana nursing license by endorsement?: Not published.
Can I work in Louisiana while my endorsement application is processing?: Yes. Louisiana offers a 90-day temporary endorsement permit, for an additional fee, that lets you practice in Louisiana until full licensure issues. It does not authorize practice elsewhere, and internationally educated nurses are not eligible.
Do I need a Louisiana license if I already hold a compact multistate license?: Louisiana is a compact state. If your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license already covers Louisiana practice. To get a Louisiana multistate license you must declare Louisiana as your primary residence; otherwise a single-state license authorizes practice only in Louisiana. A multistate holder not moving their residence should contact the board before applying.
How much does Louisiana endorsement cost?: $100 for full licensure, or $200 with the 90-day temporary permit ($100 application plus $100 permit). Non-refundable; fingerprint costs are extra.

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Louisiana endorsement at a glance

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

How it works: Louisiana grants licensure by endorsement to an applicant holding a current, unrestricted RN license elsewhere who has practiced within the last four years; you apply through the LARN portal.
Processing time: Not published.
Work while waiting: Yes. Louisiana offers a 90-day temporary endorsement permit, for an additional fee, that lets you practice in Louisiana until full licensure issues. It does not authorize practice elsewhere, and internationally educated nurses are not eligible.
Requirements: Verify licenses through Nursys or a paper form for non-Nursys states, plus a notarized Affidavit of Verification mailed to the board and a verification of employment showing practice within four years. Criminal background check with fingerprints at IdentoGo. No state jurisprudence exam.
Fees: $100 for full licensure, or $200 with the 90-day temporary permit ($100 application plus $100 permit). Non-refundable; fingerprint costs are extra.
Compact rules: Louisiana is a compact state. If your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license already covers Louisiana practice. To get a Louisiana multistate license you must declare Louisiana as your primary residence; otherwise a single-state license authorizes practice only in Louisiana. A multistate holder not moving their residence should contact the board before applying.

Source: Louisiana State Board of Nursing, RN endorsement instructions, last checked 2026-06-18. Fees and timelines change; confirm with the board before you rely on a date.

Steps to endorse into Louisiana

1Check whether you even need Louisiana endorsement: if your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license may already cover you.

2Verify every nursing license you have held through Nursys (or the board's paper verification form for non-Nursys states).

3Complete the required criminal background check and fingerprinting.

4Submit the Louisiana State Board of Nursing endorsement application and fee, plus any transcripts, state coursework, or jurisprudence exam the board requires.

5Apply for a temporary or interim permit if the state offers one and you need to work before the permanent license issues.

Louisiana endorsement FAQ

How long does it take to get a Louisiana nursing license by endorsement?

Not published.

Can I work in Louisiana while my endorsement application is processing?

Yes. Louisiana offers a 90-day temporary endorsement permit, for an additional fee, that lets you practice in Louisiana until full licensure issues. It does not authorize practice elsewhere, and internationally educated nurses are not eligible.

Do I need a Louisiana license if I already hold a compact multistate license?

Louisiana is a compact state. If your primary residence stays in another compact state, your multistate license already covers Louisiana practice. To get a Louisiana multistate license you must declare Louisiana as your primary residence; otherwise a single-state license authorizes practice only in Louisiana. A multistate holder not moving their residence should contact the board before applying.

How much does Louisiana endorsement cost?

$100 for full licensure, or $200 with the 90-day temporary permit ($100 application plus $100 permit). Non-refundable; fingerprint costs are extra.