Licensed Practical Nurse in Louisiana
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for LA. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Louisiana.
Jobs (LA)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a licensed practical nurse in Louisiana
To become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Louisiana, aspiring nurses must complete a state-approved practical nursing program and successfully pass the NCLEX-PN exam. The Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners (LSBPNE) is the official licensing body. Applicants must submit an initial exam application and fee through the Nurse Portal, and a state and federal criminal background check is required. Louisiana is also a Nurse Licensure Compact state, allowing LPNs with a multistate license from another compact state to practice without additional licensure, provided they meet the uniform licensure requirements.
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Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Louisiana. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Louisiana requirements
| Licensing body | Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners |
| State license | Required |
| Education | Completion of a state-approved practical nursing program |
| Exam | NCLEX-PN ($200) |
| Application fee | $185 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Reciprocity | Louisiana is an NLC state; multistate licensees can practice. Non-compact licensees can apply for licensure by endorsement.Reciprocal states: Louisiana is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. LPNs licensed in other NLC states with a multistate license can practice in Louisiana. LPNs licensed in non-compact states or those with a single-state license in a compact state may be eligible for licensure by endorsement if they meet Louisiana's criteria, including having a current, unrestricted LPN license, completing a Board-approved nursing education program, passing the NCLEX-PN, and undergoing a criminal background check. |
| Notes | Application fee includes a background check fee. All applicants for an initial or reinstated Louisiana LPN license must complete state and federal criminal background checks via the IdentoGO/Live Scan process. Louisiana LPN licenses are issued on a calendar-year cycle and expire every year on January 31, regardless of the issuance date. LPNs must renew online via the Nurse Portal between November 1 and January 31. There are no age requirements specified, but applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent to enter an LPN program. If IV therapy was not included in the nursing program curriculum, applicants must complete an IV therapy course with a minimum of 12 clock hours. |
Source: Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners
Already licensed elsewhere and moving to Louisiana? See whether Louisiana recognizes an out-of-state credential — with the tier and pathway for all 50 states — in our Licensed Practical Nurse license reciprocity guide.
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleLouisiana license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk
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