Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) · RN

30 hours. Every two years. On a fixed renewal cycle.

Below is exactly what Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) requires: mandatory topics, exemptions, accepted credit types, and documentation rules.

Updated April 2026Sourced from LSBN(~5 min read

Reviewed by Doug Doehrman, MD · Last reviewed April 25, 2026

Mandatory topics

Louisiana has no state-mandated topic requirements beyond the 30-hour total.

Atlas CME tracks each of these mandatory topics against your Louisiana cycle automatically. Start tracking free →
Accepted credit

Credit must come from an organization accredited by the ACCME, AMA, Louisiana Medical Association, or AAFP. ACGME residency or fellowship time accrues toward the requirement. Teaching or presenting accredited CME can satisfy a portion of required hours.

Credit systemNotes
ANCC Contact Hour
LSBN accepts CE accredited by ANCC or approved by any US state board of nursing. ANCC-accredited CE is the most common qualifying source. 1 contact hour = 60 minutes. 1 CEU = 10 contact hours (certificates must show both CEU quantity and contact hour equivalent).SourceLa. Admin. Code tit. 46, § XLVII-3335[1]
Board-approved credit
CE must be accredited by ANCC or approved by a specific US State Board of Nursing. The accreditation statement must appear on the certificate. CE from employers, non-accredited providers, or providers without ANCC/state board accreditation is not accepted. Academic courses (post-secondary, post-licensure, related to nursing practice) qualify. 1 semester hour = 15 CE contact hours.SourceLa. Admin. Code tit. 46, § XLVII-3335[1]
Documentation & audit

CE records must be retained for 5 years. Certificates must include: provider company name, nurse's name, CE topic/title, contact hours awarded, date awarded, and accreditation statement (ANCC or specific US state board).

Initial Louisiana licenses are calendar year licenses renewed in the fall for a biennial (2-year) period. All licenses expire January 31 if not renewed; a late fee applies for January renewals.

Waivers & exemptions

RNs who were newly licensed — nurses issued a license by examination or endorsement are not required to obtain CE or practice hours in the calendar year in which they were initially licensed in Louisiana.

RNs who hold current active certification in a nursing specialty recognized by the board are exempt from the CE/practice hour requirement for renewal.

Practice hours pathway: a minimum of 900 nursing practice hours during the 2-year licensure period, as verified by the employer on a LSBN-provided form, satisfies the renewal requirement in lieu of 30 CE contact hours.

Academic courses in a post-secondary institution related to nursing practice or leading to an advanced nursing degree or certification may be used in lieu of CE contact hours.

FAQ
What CE does Louisiana accept?
Louisiana accepts only CE accredited by ANCC or approved by a specific US state board of nursing. The accreditation statement must appear clearly on the CE certificate. Each certificate must include the provider name, nurse's name, CE topic/title, contact hours awarded, completion date, and accreditation statement. CEU certificates must also show the contact hour equivalent. Summary reports, tracking reports, and CE without a clear accreditation statement are not accepted. Academic post-secondary courses qualifying for CE must be post-licensure and related to nursing practice.
Is Louisiana in the NLC nursing compact?
Yes. Louisiana is a member of the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC). Louisiana-licensed RNs with compact eligibility hold a multistate license for practice in all member states. LSBN has confirmed that compact licensees have no additional CE or practice hour requirements. CE requirements are governed by the nurse's home state — Louisiana-residing RNs renew with LSBN under Louisiana's biennial standards.
How does Louisiana's audit process work?
LSBN randomly audits approximately 3% of active licensees annually, beginning in March following the renewal season. Audit notification arrives by email to the address of record in the Nurse Portal. All required documents must be mailed to LSBN at 17373 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70810, and must physically arrive by the deadline in the notification letter. Email and fax submissions are not accepted. CE records must be retained for 5 years.
Where can I check my Louisiana RN license renewal date?
Louisiana RN license information and renewal resources are available through the LSBN Nurse Portal at www.lsbn.state.la.us. All Louisiana licenses expire January 31; a late fee applies for January renewals. CE and nursing practice hour questions can be sent via the message center in the Nurse Portal, using the category "Renewal." LSBN's phone number is (225) 755-7500.

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Sources & Citations

Every mandatory topic and conditional requirement above cites the underlying statute or rule. Numbered references below correspond to the bracketed citations next to each requirement.

  1. LSBN CE & Nursing Practice Requirements Brochure (Revised 9/20)
    Primary sourceAccessed 2026-04-24

This page is provided for general educational purposes and reflects the best available information as of the last reviewed date above. CME requirements change. Atlas CME is not affiliated with the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN), or any other state medical board, licensing authority, or professional organization. Physicians are solely responsible for verifying their own current CME requirements directly with their state's medical board before relying on any information presented here.

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