Louisiana Registered Nurse (RN) Continuing Education Requirements
Requirements Overview
Louisiana requires 30 contact hours of continuing education per biennial renewal cycle for registered nurses. CE must come from LSBN-approved or ANCC-accredited providers, and certificates must contain six required components including an accreditation statement.
Two alternative pathways can substitute for the 30 CE hours: completing at least 900 practice hours during the two-year licensure period (verified by your employer on a Board-provided form) or holding a Board-approved national nursing certification. If you work a typical full-time nursing schedule, the practice hours pathway is often the easiest route.
Renewal season runs from October 1 through December 31, with licenses expiring January 31. The renewal fee is $200, which is higher than most states. Louisiana joined the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) on July 1, 2019. CE documentation must be maintained for at least 5 years following the renewal period.
Renewal Pathways
Exemptions
- Practice Hours In Lieu Of CE — RNs who complete at least 900 practice hours during the two-year licensure period are exempt from the 30 CE hour requirement.Practice hours must be verified by employer on a board-provided form.
- National Certification — Nationally board-certified RNs may meet renewal requirements through holding an approved certification.Certification must be board-approved.
How You Can Complete Your CE
Provider Requirements
Louisiana State Board of Nursing approves CE providers and activities. ANCC-accredited providers are accepted. CE certificates must contain six required components including an accreditation statement indicating recognition by organizations such as ANCC.
Tips for Louisiana RNs
- If you work full-time, the 900 practice hours pathway may be simpler than completing 30 CE hours. Ask your employer about completing the Board-provided verification form.
- Verify that your CE certificates include all six required components — incomplete certificates can lead to audit failures even if you completed the course.
- Start your CE early in the cycle. Louisiana's renewal window is short (October-December), and last-minute completions add unnecessary stress.
- Keep CE documentation for 5 years, not just the current cycle. Louisiana's retention requirement is longer than many states.