Louisiana nursing license by endorsement
How a nurse licensed in another state gets a Louisiana license by endorsement: the steps, background check, temporary license, renewal and continuing education, with the board's own sources.
| At a glance | Louisiana |
|---|---|
| Licensing board | Louisiana State Board of Nursing |
| Nurse Licensure Compact | Compact state |
| Fingerprint background check | Required. Full set of fingerprints required of all licensure applicants for state and FBI criminal history check (R.S. 37:920.1). |
| Temporary license while you wait | Temporary permit. R.S. 37:920(D) authorizes temporary permits under board rules; duration and conditions not verified. |
How to get your Louisiana license, step by step
- Check the compact first. If your primary state of residence is a compact state and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in Louisiana without applying again. If you move your residence to Louisiana, you apply for a Louisiana license as your new home state.
- Start the application on the board's site. Use the board's licensure by endorsement page.
- Send license verification. Ask each state where you are or were licensed to verify your license to the board. Follow the board's instructions for how it wants to receive it.
- Complete the fingerprint background check. The board requires fingerprints for endorsement applicants. Follow its instructions for where to get them taken.
- Ask about the temporary license. The board offers a temporary permit while the application is processed. Check the conditions before you plan a start date.
- Pay the fee and send documents. Fingerprint and vendor fees can be separate. Keep copies of everything you submit.
- Tell your recruiter your status. Employers set their own start dates around licensing, so your recruiter needs to know where your application stands.
Specific to Louisiana
- RNs and LPNs are licensed by separate boards: Louisiana State Board of Nursing and Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners.
- Endorsement applicants must have passed a licensing exam and met Louisiana qualifications at initial licensure (R.S. 37:920(B)).
What RNs earn in Louisiana
The BLS median for registered nurses in Louisiana is $37.92 per hour, about $78,880 a year. See the full RN salary guide for Louisiana.
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year |
|---|---|---|
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $40.00 | $83,200 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $39.39 | $81,920 |
| Alexandria, LA | $37.86 | $78,740 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $37.62 | $78,240 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $37.60 | $78,210 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $36.98 | $76,920 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
RN jobs in Louisiana · Louisiana state guide · Nurse Licensure Compact guide · Endorsement checklist
Sources
These facts come from the Louisiana State Board of Nursing web pages below. Checked 2026-10-16.
- legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx (endorsement application)
- legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx (background check)
- legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx (state notes)
Requirements change. Always confirm with the Louisiana State Board of Nursing before you apply or accept a start date. This guide is general information and not legal advice.
Common questions
Is Louisiana a nurse licensure compact state?
Louisiana is in the Nurse Licensure Compact. A nurse whose home state is also a compact state can practice here on a multistate license.
Can I work in Louisiana while my license is processed?
The board offers a temporary permit. R.S. 37:920(D) authorizes temporary permits under board rules; duration and conditions not verified. Confirm the conditions with the board.
How long does it take to get a Louisiana license?
The Louisiana State Board of Nursing does not publish a fixed time. It depends on how fast your verification and background check arrive, so apply before you accept a start date.
Does Valorem Health help with Louisiana licensing?
Your recruiter tells you which license each role needs and what the facility requires. You apply to the board, and our credentialing team helps with documents for onboarding.
Moving to Louisiana? See what RNs get paid near you.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
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Your RN pay reportLouisiana · pay published by employers and employer-reported wage offers in federal filings
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Veterans Health AdministrationShreveport, LA · 3 postings$46.70/ hr$31–$67
- Select MedicalJefferson, LA · 3 postings$44.01/ hr$36–$50
- Acadia HealthcareCovington, LA · 5 postings$38.00/ hr$30–$46
- Louisiana Children's Medical CenterNew Orleans, LA · 9 wage offers$37.00/ hr$30–$44
Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings.
2What they are offering now
13 RN postings with published pay in Louisiana, 12 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 13 RN roles
- RN Admissions PRNPer diem$34.00–$42.00/ hour
- RN Admissions PRNPer diem$30.25–$46.43/ hour
+ 11 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.