Louisiana RN Continuing Education Requirements, Explained
Last reviewed June 2026 against the official sources linked below. Requirements change — always confirm with your board before relying on them.
Total hours
30 contact hours OR 900 practice hours
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
First-time licensees
Exempt for the initial cycle
Issued by
Louisiana State Board of Nursing
Louisiana ties continuing competency to how much you actually work. You meet the rule either by completing 30 approved contact hours during the two-year cycle, or by logging at least 900 practice hours over the same period.
That practice-hour route is the part many nurses overlook. Here is how both paths work, plus who is exempt.
Two paths: 30 contact hours or 900 practice hours
The Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) requires RNs to complete at least one of the following during each two-year licensure period: a minimum of 30 board-approved contact hours of continuing education, OR a minimum of 900 practice hours verified by your employer.
Practice hours do not have to be worked in Louisiana, and the same requirements apply to compact and multistate licenses. The chosen path must be complete before you submit your renewal application.
Key details and exemptions
- CE providers must be approved by LSBN, approved by any U.S. board of nursing, or accredited by the ANCC.
- RNs licensed for the first time by exam or endorsement are not required to complete CE or practice hours during that initial licensure period.
- Alternative routes (such as an academic course or specialty certification) are detailed in the Board's CE materials.
- APRNs with prescriptive authority have an added requirement: 6 contact hours of pharmacotherapeutics each year (12 per cycle).
Stop tracking this in a spreadsheet
Progress rings per requirement, private certificate storage, deadline reminders, and a one-click audit packet. Set up in two minutes — free for your first license.
Start tracking — freeWhen is your deadline?
Louisiana RN licenses renew every two years. Your competency - whether 30 contact hours or 900 practice hours - must be finished before you submit the renewal application for that cycle.
If selected for audit, you must be able to verify the path you used, so keep certificates or employer-verified practice records.
How CredTally keeps this on autopilot
- Pick your path - 30 contact hours or 900 practice hours - and the progress ring shows exactly what is still owed.
- Store every certificate (or your employer practice-hour verification) privately with the credit, ready for an audit.
- Reminders at 90, 60, 30, and 7 days before your renewal so nothing is left to the last week.
- Export a dated audit packet covering your whole two-year cycle in one click.
Frequently asked questions
How many CE hours does a Louisiana RN need?
Thirty board-approved contact hours every two years, or at least 900 verified practice hours over the same period.
Do my practice hours have to be in Louisiana?
No. Practice hours worked in other states count, and the same rules apply to compact licenses.
Are new Louisiana RNs exempt?
Yes. RNs licensed for the first time by exam or endorsement are exempt from CE or practice hours for that initial period.
Do APRNs have extra requirements?
Yes. APRNs with prescriptive authority need 6 contact hours of pharmacotherapeutics each year, 12 per renewal cycle.
Official sources
CredTally is a record-keeping tool and is not affiliated with any licensing board. This guide is general information, not legal or compliance advice.
CredTally tracks all of this for you
Progress rings per requirement, private certificate storage, deadline reminders, and a one-click audit packet. Set up in two minutes — free for your first license.
Start tracking — free