How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Louisiana (2026)
Louisiana employs about 17,600 licensed practical nurses earning a median $57,470 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Licensed Practical Nurse here means completing a state-approved practical or vocational nursing program, the NCLEX-PN, and state LPN or LVN licensure, then applying through Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners.
Compare Licensed Practical Nurse Schools in Louisiana
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Infinity College | 86.3 | Contact school for pricing | $33,217 | 87% | Yes* | 52 mi |
| 2 | Southwest Mississippi Community College | 64.8 | Contact school for pricing | $27,408 | 48% | Yes* | 79 mi |
| 3 | Copiah-Lincoln Community College | 63.6 | Contact school for pricing | $36,902 | 51% | Yes* | 94 mi |
| 4 | Petra College | Not rated | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | Not reported | — | 82 mi |
| 5 | Central Louisiana Technical Community College | 57.4 | Contact school for pricing | $34,374 | 72% | Yes* | 47 mi |
| 6 | SOWELA Technical Community College | 49.8 | Contact school for pricing | $60,488 | Not reported | Yes* | 99 mi |
| 7 | River Parishes Community College | 46.0 | Contact school for pricing | $62,593 | Not reported | Yes* | 73 mi |
| 8 | Baton Rouge Community College | 43.7 | Contact school for pricing | $45,313 | Not reported | Yes* | 52 mi |
| 9 | South Louisiana Community College | 40.6 | $4,210 - $19,044 | $45,336 | 30% | Yes* | 56 mi |
| 10 | Delta College of Arts & Technology-Lafayette Campus | 38.3 | Contact school for pricing | $35,243 | 59% | — | 59 mi |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Louisiana employs approximately 17,600 licensed practical nurses according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $57,470 1. The state’s concentration of licensed practical nurse jobs is 2.18x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, licensed practical nurse employment is projected to grow 2.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 54,400 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Louisiana, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: state-approved practical or vocational nursing program (find programs)
- Typical timeline: a state-approved practical or vocational nursing program, the NCLEX-PN, and state LPN or LVN licensure
- Licensing authority: Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners
- Exam: NCLEX-PN
- Median wage (Louisiana): $57,470 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Louisiana
How to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Louisiana? Complete a state-approved practical or vocational nursing program, the NCLEX-PN, and state LPN or LVN licensure. Apply through Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners.
How long does it take? Most people finish a state-approved practical or vocational nursing program, the NCLEX-PN, and state LPN or LVN licensure. Confirm current hour totals with the program and Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners.
Do I need a license in Louisiana? Yes. Louisiana credentials this role through Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners 3. See the licensing section below.
What do licensed practical nurses earn in Louisiana? The median annual wage for licensed practical nurses in Louisiana is $57,470 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $45,810 and experienced professionals can earn $66,150 or more 1.
How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Louisiana
- Meet program entry rules. Approved practical or vocational nursing programs in Louisiana typically require a high school diploma or GED. Confirm current age and prerequisite rules with the program and Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners.
- Complete a state-approved PN or VN program. Finish a board-approved practical or vocational nursing program in Louisiana. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
- Pass the NCLEX-PN. Apply to Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners for authorization to test, then pass the NCLEX-PN. An RN exam does not substitute.
- Apply for LPN or LVN licensure. Obtain the practical or vocational nursing license from Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners before practicing. Confirm reciprocity with the board.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Licensed Practical Nurse License Requirements in Louisiana
Louisiana licenses practical and vocational nurses through Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners. The path is an approved PN or VN program, the NCLEX-PN, and a state LPN or LVN license. Some states use the LVN title; others use LPN. See Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners 3.
Typical path
Meet the program’s entry rules.
Complete a state-approved practical or vocational nursing program.
Pass the NCLEX-PN.
Apply to Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners for LPN or LVN licensure.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners before you enroll.
Licensed Practical Nurse Wages by Metro Area in Louisiana
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Wages by Metro Area in Louisiana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses wages in Louisiana vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie | 2,940 | $60,640 | $60,440 | $49,230 | $75,370 |
| Baton Rouge | 2,900 | $59,700 | $58,570 | $48,350 | $69,520 |
| Lafayette | 2,100 | $51,580 | $53,930 | $41,710 | $62,270 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City | 1,840 | $58,340 | $59,070 | $48,920 | $70,960 |
| Monroe | 1,130 | $55,360 | $54,010 | $44,950 | $62,790 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington | 960 | $59,500 | $57,690 | $47,540 | $70,310 |
| Lake Charles | 890 | $53,300 | $54,490 | $43,170 | $62,000 |
| Alexandria | 690 | $54,880 | $55,440 | $45,980 | $67,310 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux | 520 | $53,240 | $54,910 | $43,210 | $65,030 |
| Hammond | 470 | $55,840 | $55,690 | $46,260 | $63,410 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for licensed practical nurses in Louisiana? Louisiana currently employs approximately 17,600 licensed practical nurses 1. Nationally, licensed practical nurse employment is projected to grow 2.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a licensed practical nurse in Louisiana with an out-of-state license? Contact the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Louisiana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Louisiana.
How much do licensed practical nurses earn in Louisiana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for licensed practical nurses in Louisiana is $57,470, which is $4,870 below the national median of $62,340 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners - Licensing Information: https://www.lsbpne.com ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |