Louisiana Licensure & Registration Info

The Louisiana State Board of Nursing licenses registered nurses. Louisiana is a Nurse Licensure Compact (Compact) state, meaning that nurses licensed by another Compact state do not need to apply for licensure unless they plan to make Iowa their primary state of residency.

Select license type you’re applying for:

Registered Nurse - Initial Licensure

Service(s) Required

English Language Proficiency Exam Results

Exam scores not required to be resubmitted to CGFNS for CP Verification Letter.

Exam scores are required to be submitted to CGFNS for CES if your program was not taught in English.

Accepted English Language Proficiency Test and Passing Exam Scores:

  • TOEFL Internet Based Test Passing Score: 83; Speaking score: 26
  • IELTS Academic: Overall Score Test Score: 6.5; Speaking score: 7.0
  • TOEIC: Overall Score: 725; Speaking: 140
  • PTE: Overall: 55; Minimum each scored Part: 50

Notes

Applicants are English Exempt if they were educated in Australia, Barbados, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa, Trinidad/Tobago, United Kingdom, United States 

CES applicants have the option of having exam results sent directly to the Board of Nursing or having CGFNS provide exam results to the Board of Nursing.

Validation of licensure in CES Report must be dated within 9 months of report’s issuance. License in most recent jurisdiction of employment must be active.

Registered Nurse - Endorsement

Service(s) Required

English Language Proficiency Exam Results

Exam scores are not required to be submitted to CGFNS for CES

Notes

Validation of licensure in CES Report must be dated within 9 months of report’s issuance. License in most recent jurisdiction of employment must be active.

Licensed Practical Nurse - Initial Licensure

Service(s) Required

No services required

English Language Proficiency Exam Results

Notes

Licensed Practical Nurse - Endorsement

Service(s) Required

No services required

English Language Proficiency Exam Results

Notes

CGFNS International will be closed on Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29 for the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday. Regular hours will resume on December 2, 2024.
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