Please note the following licensure by exam rule, pursuant to Louisiana Administrative Code and Louisiana Revised Statutes:
An applicant may be permitted to take the NCLEX-PN for initial licensure up to four times within a period of two years from the date of being made eligible, but no later than three years from the completion of the practical nursing program. If the applicant fails to pass the exam within the allotted number of attempts or by the eligibility expiration date, the applicant for licensure by exam must re-enter and successfully complete the entire practical nursing program without advance credits before being allowed to take the practical nursing examination again.
An applicant for licensure by examination:
Reference for law: Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, Title 37, Chapter 11. Nurses, Part II. Practical Nurses, §970.
Reference for Administrative Code: Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 46, Professional and Occupational Standards, Part XLVII. Nurses, Subpart 1. Practical Nurses. Chapter 17. §1703.
The Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners (LSBPNE) now provides a secure nurse portal to enable candidates for initial licensure to complete the following tasks:
All applicants for licensure by exam must create an account in the Nurse Portal. Please click here for Nurse Portal information and instructions.
A state and FBI criminal background check (CBC) is required for applicants for licensure in Louisiana (single or multi-state). CBC application instructions and forms can be accessed at https://www.lsbpne.la.gov/forms/criminal-background-check/
Pursuant to La. R.S. 37:35, applicants are advised that the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners may use the criminal convictions of applicants as a basis for denial of an application for licensure. In accordance with La. R.S. 37:2950, the Board shall consider the following factors in deciding whether to grant a license to an applicant with one or more criminal convictions: (1) the nature and seriousness of the offense(s); (2) the nature of the specific duties and responsibilities for which the license, permit, or certificate is required; (3) the amount of time that has passed since the conviction(s); (4) facts relevant to the circumstances of the offense(s), including any aggravating or mitigating circumstances or social conditions surrounding the commission of the offense(s); and (5) evidence of rehabilitation or treatment undertaken by the person since the conviction(s). Applicants for licensure shall have the right to petition for a pre-application eligibility determination pursuant to La. R.S. 37:33 prior to meeting the general qualifications for a license.
After an applicant is approved for licensure by exam, an eligibility timeframe is determined. An applicant must take and pass the NCLEX-PN prior to the eligibility expiration date without exceeding four attempts. Eligible applicants are notified of the eligibility expiration date via the Nurse Portal Message Center.