Last Updated: April 2026
Getting your Louisiana nursing license is highly efficient for travel nurses because the state participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact. Demand for clinicians remains strong across major healthcare hubs like New Orleans and Baton Rouge, especially during surge seasons. However, the step that catches most people off guard is a specific paperwork rule. The Louisiana State Board of Nursing explicitly requires you to mail or hand-deliver an original, signed, and notarized Affidavit of Verification.
This guide outlines the exact fees, IdentoGO service codes, and unique 900-hour continuing education exemptions you need to begin practicing in Louisiana without unnecessary delays.Â
As a dedicated service for clinicians taking future assignments with Advantis Medical, our licensing experts provide 1-on-1 support to reduce stress and shorten processing times.
We’ll help you quickly get your LA license & connect you to top contracts in the state.Â
Our licensing specialists are your partners in navigating the complexities of state licensing so you can move forward with confidence. From understanding state requirements to submitting documentation, our team works closely with you to keep the process simple, organized, and efficient.
Louisiana State Board of Nursing Â
17373 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70810Â Â
Louisiana utilizes IdentoGO / IDEMIA for all background checks.Â
Out-of-state applicants may use IdentoGO Livescan where available. If no location is available within 100 miles, card scan processing is available through the same system. If your fingerprints are rejected, use the specific rescheduling link provided in your rejection email to avoid paying the processing fee a second time.Â
RN Licensure by Endorsement: $100Â
RN Licensure by Examination: $100Â
Temporary Permit (Endorsement): $100Â
RN License Renewal: $100Â
Late Renewal Fee: $50Â
RN Reinstatement Fee: $100Â
Fees vary and are subject to change. Always verify the most current pricing directly with the Board of Nursing.
Louisiana RN licenses are renewed every two years. The standard renewal window opens on October 1st and closes on December 31st.Â
If you miss the December 31st deadline, the state provides a 31-day late renewal window throughout January. You may continue to practice during this month, but the portal will automatically add a $50 late fee. At midnight on January 31, all unrenewed licenses officially expire. You must then complete a full reinstatement process and pay the $100 fee to return to practice.
Louisiana offers two distinct pathways to satisfy the continuing competency requirement for renewal:Â
If you hold an active license in another state, you can apply through licensure by endorsement. Louisiana is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), meaning you do not need to apply for a separate license if you already hold a multistate license from your primary state of residence.
Louisiana offers 90-day temporary permits to endorsement and examination applicants. These permits allow you to begin working while the Board awaits final background check results or official transcripts.Â
Once approved, your Louisiana License will be issued and visible in the license lookup system.
This pathway applies to new nursing school graduates who have never held a professional license. You must apply to the state and pass the NCLEX to receive your permanent credentials.Â
Application Fee:Â $100
NCLEX Exam Fee:Â $200Â
Louisiana is a compact state, which makes it relatively traveler-friendly. Nurses who hold a multistate license from another compact state can work in Louisiana without applying for a separate credential as long as their primary state of residence remains elsewhere.Â
One thing to plan for early is the fingerprint process. Louisiana requires IdentoGO fingerprinting with a specific service code, and rejected fingerprints must be rescheduled through the vendor system. Another operational nuance is the hybrid application workflow. Even though most steps happen through the Nurse Portal, the Board still requires certain notarized forms to be mailed to the LSBN office. Once your licensing is in place, browse our travel nursing jobs in Louisiana to see available travel contracts across LA.
Pro Tip:
If you are moving to LA from another compact state, you must apply for a new multistate license within 60 days of changing residency. Failing to mail your original notarized Affidavit of Verification is the most common reason for licensing delays during this transition.
Explore our travel nurse jobs in Louisiana to find your next great assignment.
Louisiana is a full member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Travel nurses with an active multistate license from another participating state can legally practice in Louisiana without applying for a new credential.
Nurses must complete 30 board-approved contact hours of continuing education every two years. Alternatively, you can satisfy this requirement by documenting 900 nursing practice hours verified by your employer.Â
The initial application fee for an RN license by endorsement or examination is $100. Applicants must also pay a fingerprint processing fee of approximately $60 for in-state LiveScan or $55 for mail-in card scanning.
All Louisiana RN licenses officially expire at midnight CST on January 31 if not successfully renewed. The standard on-time renewal window closes on December 31, followed by a 31-day late window in January that incurs a penalty fee.
Qualified applicants may request a 90-day temporary permit by selecting the option and paying the $100 fee within their electronic application. You must reside in and plan to work in Louisiana to be eligible.
Failing to mail the physical original of the notarized Affidavit of Verification is the most frequent cause for delays. The Louisiana Board strictly requires the hard copy and will not accept scanned or uploaded digital versions.
Applicants must use IdentoGO Service Code 27N3YH when scheduling their background check. If your fingerprints are rejected, you must use the specific rescheduling link in the vendor email to avoid paying again.
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