Returning to Nursing in Louisiana

Built by Keegan, a travel RN · verified against official board sources

Reinstatement and refresher requirements · Verified against the Louisiana State Board of Nursing · 2026-06-22

The Louisiana RN reinstatement fee is $100, plus any back renewal fees. What else your return takes depends on how long the license has been lapsed: short lapses are paperwork and CE, long ones can add a refresher course.

Grace period: Late renewals accepted through January 31 with a $50 late fee; after January 31 the license lapses and reinstatement is required

What your lapse length means in Louisiana

Lapsed	Status	Estimated cost
2 months lapsed	Late renewal window (likely)	Renewal fee + late penalty (Louisiana: $50). Total is usually $100–$300 above the standard fee.
1 year lapsed	Reinstatement required	Reinstatement fee (Louisiana: $100) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.
3 years lapsed	Reinstatement + likely refresher course	Reinstatement fee (Louisiana: $100) + refresher course tuition ($500–$2,500) + back fees. Total usually $1,500–$4,000.
6 years lapsed	Deep lapse: refresher course + possible re-application	If reinstatement is allowed: $1,500–$4,500 (fees + refresher). If re-application is required: $300–$800 in application fees plus NCLEX retake costs.

Size your exact situation with the reinstatement calculator, which uses the same board data.

Reinstating usually means catching up on continuing education. Earn it cheaply: free CE in Louisiana.

Refresher course rules in Louisiana

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

When a refresher applies: License inactive for 4 years or more AND you have not been actively engaged in the practice of nursing in another jurisdiction: a board approved refresher course (or board approved nursing courses, or passing the NCLEX-RN within the current or previous calendar year) is required before reinstatement. Active nursing practice in another jurisdiction during the gap removes the refresher requirement; you then reinstate with CE documentation instead.
What it takes: A board approved refresher course consisting of a minimum of 160 hours of instructor planned, supervised instruction including theory and clinical practice. You must complete the didactic portion before submitting the reinstatement application, obtain a permit from LSBN before starting the clinical component, and complete the clinical component within 6 months of the permit. Alternatives the board accepts: board approved nursing courses, or passing the NCLEX-RN within the current or previous calendar year. The reinstatement application fee is 100 dollars.
Re-examination: Louisiana does not require an NCLEX retake for reinstatement; passing the NCLEX-RN within the current or previous calendar year is one optional alternative to the 160 hour refresher course for nurses inactive 4 or more years with no practice elsewhere.
CE catch-up: License inactive less than 4 years, or inactive longer but with active practice in another jurisdiction: document a minimum of 15 board approved contact hours of CE for each year of inactive status, or current licensure in another state plus compliance with rule 3335.C.1 (30 contact hours, or 900 practice hours in the 2 year period, or an equivalent such as specialty certification).

A criminal background check is required if the license has been inactive 5 years or more, or for any multistate reinstatement. If you hold an active multistate RN license in another compact state and are not changing your primary state of residence to Louisiana, you are not eligible for Louisiana reinstatement. The board uses inactive and lapsed interchangeably for any non current license.

Source: Louisiana State Board of Nursing, RN reinstatement packet, last checked 2026-06-11. Rules change; confirm with the board before enrolling in anything.

Steps to reinstate in Louisiana

1Stop practicing immediately if you haven't already.
2Pull your CE records together: every certificate, every approved provider.
3Submit the reinstatement application through the board portal.
4Pay reinstatement fee + any back renewal fees.
5Expect a fingerprint background check (most states require one at reinstatement).
6Plan for 2–8 weeks of processing before you can return to work.

Start at the source: Louisiana State Board of Nursing or the online renewal portal.

Louisiana reinstatement FAQ

How much does it cost to reinstate a lapsed RN license in Louisiana?: The Louisiana RN reinstatement fee is $100, plus any back renewal fees the board assesses. A refresher course, where required, adds tuition on top (typically $500 to $2,500 nationally). Confirm the current total with the Louisiana State Board of Nursing before applying.
Do I need a refresher course to reinstate my Louisiana nursing license?: License inactive for 4 years or more AND you have not been actively engaged in the practice of nursing in another jurisdiction: a board approved refresher course (or board approved nursing courses, or passing the NCLEX-RN within the current or previous calendar year) is required before reinstatement. Active nursing practice in another jurisdiction during the gap removes the refresher requirement; you then reinstate with CE documentation instead. A board approved refresher course consisting of a minimum of 160 hours of instructor planned, supervised instruction including theory and clinical practice. You must complete the didactic portion before submitting the reinstatement application, obtain a permit from LSBN before starting the clinical component, and complete the clinical component within 6 months of the permit. Alternatives the board accepts: board approved nursing courses, or passing the NCLEX-RN within the current or previous calendar year. The reinstatement application fee is 100 dollars.
Will I have to retake the NCLEX to get my Louisiana license back?: Louisiana does not require an NCLEX retake for reinstatement; passing the NCLEX-RN within the current or previous calendar year is one optional alternative to the 160 hour refresher course for nurses inactive 4 or more years with no practice elsewhere.
Is there a grace period after my Louisiana license expires?: Louisiana's published rule: Late renewals accepted through January 31 with a $50 late fee; after January 31 the license lapses and reinstatement is required. A grace or late window is not permission to practice; check your status with the board before working.
How long does Louisiana license reinstatement take?: Short lapses usually process in 2 to 8 weeks once the application is complete. If a refresher course is involved, plan around the course length, often 3 to 9 months end to end. The Louisiana State Board of Nursing publishes processing updates on its portal.

Inactive vs lapsed: which path costs less

CE requirements for returning nurses

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Returning to Nursing in Louisiana

Reinstatement and refresher requirements · Verified against the Louisiana State Board of Nursing · 2026-06-22

Grace period: Late renewals accepted through January 31 with a $50 late fee; after January 31 the license lapses and reinstatement is required

What your lapse length means in Louisiana

Lapsed	Status	Estimated cost
2 months lapsed	Late renewal window (likely)	Renewal fee + late penalty (Louisiana: $50). Total is usually $100–$300 above the standard fee.
1 year lapsed	Reinstatement required	Reinstatement fee (Louisiana: $100) plus back fees for missed renewal cycles. Total typically $300–$800.
3 years lapsed	Reinstatement + likely refresher course	Reinstatement fee (Louisiana: $100) + refresher course tuition ($500–$2,500) + back fees. Total usually $1,500–$4,000.
6 years lapsed	Deep lapse: refresher course + possible re-application	If reinstatement is allowed: $1,500–$4,500 (fees + refresher). If re-application is required: $300–$800 in application fees plus NCLEX retake costs.

Size your exact situation with the reinstatement calculator, which uses the same board data.

Reinstating usually means catching up on continuing education. Earn it cheaply: free CE in Louisiana.

Refresher course rules in Louisiana

What the board publishes

Board-sourced

When a refresher applies: License inactive for 4 years or more AND you have not been actively engaged in the practice of nursing in another jurisdiction: a board approved refresher course (or board approved nursing courses, or passing the NCLEX-RN within the current or previous calendar year) is required before reinstatement. Active nursing practice in another jurisdiction during the gap removes the refresher requirement; you then reinstate with CE documentation instead.
What it takes: A board approved refresher course consisting of a minimum of 160 hours of instructor planned, supervised instruction including theory and clinical practice. You must complete the didactic portion before submitting the reinstatement application, obtain a permit from LSBN before starting the clinical component, and complete the clinical component within 6 months of the permit. Alternatives the board accepts: board approved nursing courses, or passing the NCLEX-RN within the current or previous calendar year. The reinstatement application fee is 100 dollars.
Re-examination: Louisiana does not require an NCLEX retake for reinstatement; passing the NCLEX-RN within the current or previous calendar year is one optional alternative to the 160 hour refresher course for nurses inactive 4 or more years with no practice elsewhere.
CE catch-up: License inactive less than 4 years, or inactive longer but with active practice in another jurisdiction: document a minimum of 15 board approved contact hours of CE for each year of inactive status, or current licensure in another state plus compliance with rule 3335.C.1 (30 contact hours, or 900 practice hours in the 2 year period, or an equivalent such as specialty certification).

Source: Louisiana State Board of Nursing, RN reinstatement packet, last checked 2026-06-11. Rules change; confirm with the board before enrolling in anything.

Steps to reinstate in Louisiana

1Stop practicing immediately if you haven't already.

2Pull your CE records together: every certificate, every approved provider.

3Submit the reinstatement application through the board portal.

4Pay reinstatement fee + any back renewal fees.

5Expect a fingerprint background check (most states require one at reinstatement).

6Plan for 2–8 weeks of processing before you can return to work.

Louisiana reinstatement FAQ

How much does it cost to reinstate a lapsed RN license in Louisiana?

The Louisiana RN reinstatement fee is $100, plus any back renewal fees the board assesses. A refresher course, where required, adds tuition on top (typically $500 to $2,500 nationally). Confirm the current total with the Louisiana State Board of Nursing before applying.

Do I need a refresher course to reinstate my Louisiana nursing license?

License inactive for 4 years or more AND you have not been actively engaged in the practice of nursing in another jurisdiction: a board approved refresher course (or board approved nursing courses, or passing the NCLEX-RN within the current or previous calendar year) is required before reinstatement. Active nursing practice in another jurisdiction during the gap removes the refresher requirement; you then reinstate with CE documentation instead. A board approved refresher course consisting of a minimum of 160 hours of instructor planned, supervised instruction including theory and clinical practice. You must complete the didactic portion before submitting the reinstatement application, obtain a permit from LSBN before starting the clinical component, and complete the clinical component within 6 months of the permit. Alternatives the board accepts: board approved nursing courses, or passing the NCLEX-RN within the current or previous calendar year. The reinstatement application fee is 100 dollars.

Will I have to retake the NCLEX to get my Louisiana license back?

Louisiana does not require an NCLEX retake for reinstatement; passing the NCLEX-RN within the current or previous calendar year is one optional alternative to the 160 hour refresher course for nurses inactive 4 or more years with no practice elsewhere.

Is there a grace period after my Louisiana license expires?

Louisiana's published rule: Late renewals accepted through January 31 with a $50 late fee; after January 31 the license lapses and reinstatement is required. A grace or late window is not permission to practice; check your status with the board before working.

How long does Louisiana license reinstatement take?

Short lapses usually process in 2 to 8 weeks once the application is complete. If a refresher course is involved, plan around the course length, often 3 to 9 months end to end. The Louisiana State Board of Nursing publishes processing updates on its portal.

Returning to Nursing in Louisiana

What your lapse length means in Louisiana

Refresher course rules in Louisiana

Steps to reinstate in Louisiana

Louisiana reinstatement FAQ

Related guides

More for Louisiana nurses

Never let it lapse again

Track your path back to active practice, free

Returning to Nursing in Louisiana

What your lapse length means in Louisiana

Refresher course rules in Louisiana

Steps to reinstate in Louisiana

Louisiana reinstatement FAQ

Related guides

More for Louisiana nurses

Never let it lapse again

Track your path back to active practice, free