Licensure by Endorsement

Licensure by endorsement means that you have graduated from an approved nursing program (the nursing program must meet the same educational criteria as Louisiana), have successfully taken the NCLEX-PN ®, and have been granted a LPN license to practice in another state. If you wish to apply for licensure in Louisiana, you will need to complete the endorsement application through the Nurse Portal.

Results of a state and federal background check are required to complete the process. The fee for applying for endorsement is $185 plus 1.8% state charge. Please click here to download the application for a Louisiana State Police/FBI criminal background check.

The Endorsement Process

In order to be endorsed in Louisiana after July 1, 2019, you must create an account in the Nurse Portal located in the ORBS system.

If you currently live in a non-compact state, and you are moving to Louisiana after July 1, 2019:

• You may apply before or after you move to Louisiana. If you meet all of the requirements, then you will be issued a multistate license. The multistate license will not interfere with the single state license that was issued by the non-compact state in which you previously resided. If you do not qualify for a multistate license in Louisiana, you may be issued a single state license provided that you meet those criteria.

If you currently live in a compact state, and you are moving to Louisiana after July 1, 2019:

• When moving (changing primary state of legal residency) to a new NLC state, you must apply for licensure through endorsement. This should be completed upon moving. You may practice on your former home state license until the multistate license in Louisiana is issued. Proof of residency, such as a driver’s license will be required. Upon issuance of the new multistate license, the former license is inactivated.

What is Endorsement

Requirements

IV Therapy

Background Checks

What is Endorsement

Endorsement is the method of application for an lpn/lvn currently licensed in another state who wants to obtain a license to practice in Louisiana.

It is illegal to practice practical nursing in the state of Louisiana without a temporary work permit issued by our board or a current Louisiana lpn license.

To determine if you meet the qualifications for licensure by endorsement, please review the Requirements for Endorsement below.

If you have EVER held a Louisiana lpn license, you do not qualify for endorsement. You must request reinstatement of your Louisiana license.

Requirements

Licensure as an lpn in another state does not guarantee that you will be granted a license to practice in Louisiana. If you have ever held a practical nursing license in Louisiana, you are not eligible for endorsement. You must renew your Louisiana practical nursing license by contacting the board office.

Applications must be completed within one (1) year from the date of your initial request. Failure to complete this process within one (1) year will void this application.

You must meet all current requirements for licensure in Louisiana at the time of application.

Requirements are as follows:

1. Hold a current, valid license in good standing in another state.
2. Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
3. Have graduated from an approved practical nursing program and have had instruction in IV therapy. Download Curriculum Requirements
4. Obtain a Louisiana State Police and FBI criminal background check. In order to obtain this, please follow the instructions on our website (http://www.lsbpne.la.gov/) under the “Forms” tab, choose "Criminal Background Check".
5. A certified copy of your birth certificate.
6. Report in writing to the executive director of the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners by certified or registered mail marked “personal and confidential” any diagnosis of HIV/HBV.
7. Verification of original license by examination from the board of nursing in the state in which you were originally licensed. If you are licensed in a state that issues a compact license, please visit http://www.nursys.com/ and complete the verification process.

ISSUANCE OF A TEMPORARY WORK PERMIT

A temporary work permit may be issued upon receipt and favorable review of the following:

• • Completed application, to include uploads of all required documents as noted within the application (i.e. certified birth certificate, narratives, certified court documents, board orders, treatment records, etc.)
  • Application fee of $185.00 plus state charge
  • An official transcript from your practical nursing program. This must be requested by the applicant. The school must mail the transcript directly to the board office. If the applicant is a new graduate, or does not have work history, the transcript must be detailed showing all courses with clock hours completed in every component of a course (theory and clinical) and the numerical grades earned for the course. The transcript must include instruction in IV therapy. If IV therapy was not included in the course curriculum, before eligibility for a temporary permit or issuance of a license in the state of Louisiana, applicant must complete an IV therapy course. Upon completion, applicant must upload an original certificate of completion from the course provider. (The secure upload will be completed through the message center located within the applicant’s nurse portal account.)

  The temporary work permit will be valid for a period of up to twelve weeks for applicants who meet the board’s criteria for licensure.

  Upon completion of the application process and satisfactorily meeting the board’s criteria, you may then be granted licensing in Louisiana.