State of Louisiana
Louisiana.
Updated 2026
Contact hours
For RN renewal, every 2 years
30
Mandatory topics
For RN renewal, topics
0
Online CE
For RN renewal, fully accepted
Yes
¶ Louisiana requires registered nurses to complete 30 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years to maintain an active license. Newly licensed nurses are exempt from CE requirements for their first renewal period.
Nursing in Louisiana.
Louisiana has approximately 62,000 licensed registered nurses serving a population of 4.6 million. New Orleans is home to major academic centers including Ochsner Health and LSU Health, while the state faces persistent challenges in recruiting nurses to rural parishes. Louisiana's unique cultural heritage influences healthcare delivery, particularly in patient communication and end-of-life care.
Louisiana requires at least 5 contact hours of continuing education annually for RN license renewal, with at least one hour being a face-to-face practicum. Louisiana mandates specific courses in recognizing and reporting domestic violence, human trafficking, and implicit bias. The state accepts CE from nationally accredited providers.
Common practice settings
Ochsner Health System
Louisiana's largest non-profit health system operates throughout the state and provides extensive nursing education.
Chemical Industry
The petrochemical corridor along the Mississippi River creates demand for industrial and occupational health nurses.
Rural Parishes
Many Louisiana parishes face healthcare access challenges and nursing shortages.
Renewal tips
01
Complete at least 5 contact hours annually, including 1 hour of face-to-face practicum.
02
Finish mandatory courses in domestic violence, human trafficking, and implicit bias.
03
Use CE providers approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.
04
Keep CE documentation for at least 5 years.
The Nurse Licensure Compact in Louisiana
Louisiana is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. This benefits nurses in border areas near Texas, Mississippi, or Arkansas who may work across state lines.
Read the compact license guide→The requirements, by license
Every license type,side by side.
Hours, cycles, mandatory topics, exemptions. Switch between RN, LPN, APRN and the four advanced-practice specialties.
License
RN
Registered nurse.
Contact hours
30
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
No mandatory topics for RN renewal.
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Biennial renewal - 30 contact hours per 2-year period.
- Courses must be approved by LSBN.
License
LPN
LPN / LVN.
Contact hours
0
none required
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Required
Mandatory topics
No mandatory topics for LPN renewal.
Notes
- Louisiana does not require continuing education for LPN renewal.
- LPNs are licensed through the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners.
License
APRN
APRN, general.
Contact hours
20
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Prescriptive Authority For prescriptive authority holders | 10h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 1 year of initial certification
Notes
- Higher CE requirement for APRNs.
Additional requirements
License
NP
Nurse practitioner.
Contact hours
20
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Prescriptive Authority For prescriptive authority holders | 10h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Higher CE requirement for APRNs - 20 contact hours per 2-year renewal.
Additional requirements
License
CNS
Clinical nurse specialist.
Contact hours
20
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Prescriptive Authority For prescriptive authority holders | 10h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Higher CE requirement for APRNs - 20 contact hours per 2-year renewal.
Additional requirements
License
CNM
Certified nurse-midwife.
Contact hours
20
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Prescriptive Authority For prescriptive authority holders | 10h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Higher CE requirement for APRNs - 20 contact hours per 2-year renewal.
Additional requirements
License
CRNA
Nurse anesthetist.
Contact hours
20
every 2 years
Renewal cycle
2
years
Online CE
Yes
fully accepted
First renewal
Exempt
CE waived
Mandatory topics
Prescriptive Authority For prescriptive authority holders | 10h |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Higher CE requirement for APRNs - 20 contact hours per 2-year renewal.
Additional requirements
In context. Louisiana requires 30 contact hours every 2 years for RN license renewal. Compared with neighbors, Texas requires fewer (20 hours), while Arkansas requires fewer (15 hours). As a Nurse Licensure Compact state, Louisiana allows nurses to practice across state lines with a multistate license.
Continue.
Verify with the source
Louisiana State Board of Nursing.
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