Compact status
Nurse Licensure Compact member
LA · Internationally educated nurses
Louisiana RN license requirements
A researched starting point for applying to Louisiana State Board of Nursing, including education review, English rules, identification requirements, background checks, and the NCLEX sequence.
Credential evaluation
A board-accepted credentials evaluation is required for education completed outside the United States; the current application instructions control the accepted agency and report.
English requirement
English proficiency may be required for graduates whose nursing education was not taught in English; confirm the accepted test, score, and exemption in the current applicant portal instructions.
SSN requirement
The public-facing materials reviewed did not state a reliable no-SSN route; confirm directly with LSBN before paying.
Background check
Initial applicants complete LSBN-directed state and federal criminal background checks/fingerprinting.
Education review
LSBN determines whether foreign nursing education is comparable to an approved RN program; deficiencies are board-determined.
Application sequence
How to apply in Louisiana
- 1
Create an LSBN Nurse Portal account and submit the RN examination application.
- 2
Arrange the required credential report and license verification directly to LSBN.
- 3
Complete LSBN fingerprint/background-check instructions.
- 4
Register with Pearson VUE; LSBN makes the eligibility decision and Pearson issues the ATT.
Documents to prepare
- Foreign education evaluation
- Foreign license verification if licensed
- Identity/legal-name documents
- Fingerprint materials
Verify before paying
- • LSBN places detailed requirements inside its portal; accepted evaluators, English scores, and SSN handling should be verified before purchase.
- • A multistate license requires Louisiana to be the applicant’s primary state of residence; otherwise a qualifying applicant receives only a single-state license.
Apply through the official board
This guide helps you compare requirements; it is not the application. Check the current instructions from Louisiana State Board of Nursing before ordering reports or submitting documents.
Official sources reviewed
Research checked 2026-07-22. Requirements can change.
General educational information only. The state board is the authority on licensure eligibility; immigration authorization is a separate process.