Louisiana Nursing CE Requirements (2026): 30 Hours Every 2 Years
We're building a tool that tracks your CE hours and reminds you before your deadline — no more digging through board sites to check where you stand. Join the waitlist:
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
Louisiana CE Rules & Limits
Details specific to Louisiana that generic CE guides tend to miss:
- Carry-over — No carry-over provision documented. CE must be completed during the two-year licensure period.
- Louisiana offers three pathways for renewal: 30 CE hours, 900 practice hours (employer-verified), or national board certification.
- CE documentation must be maintained for at least 5 years following the renewal period.
- CE certificates must have all six required components for successful audit outcome.
- Renewal season is October 1 - December 31. Licenses expire January 31.
- Renewal fee is $200.
- Louisiana is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state as of July 1, 2019.
- Official LSBN website was blocked by geo-firewall during data collection; data sourced from multiple secondary references.
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.
Sources
- Cross-checked against the official published rules of the Louisiana State Board of Nursing
- Each stated figure recorded with its exact source excerpt
- 1 source cited — 1 primary (official board)
RN Requirements in Nearby States
Other Professions in Louisiana
All Nursing CE Requirements by State
Open any other state's Nursing CE requirements, or see the full Nursing CE hub to compare every state in one table.