Nurse Practitioners · Louisiana · Continuing education
Louisiana Nurse Practitioner CE Requirements (2026)
01 In short
- APRN12 contact hours every 2 years, including 6 h pharmacology (NP/APRN) (every year), 3 h controlled substances prescribing (once); renewal by December 31.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
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03 Requirements
Louisiana APRN CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 12contact hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Dec 31
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By December 31
- Accepted credit
- Pharmacotherapeutics CE from a board-approved national certifying organization or board-approved provider; hours must be delineated on the certificate (CMEs accepted if pharmacotherapeutic hours are documented)
- Audits & records
- At least 3% of renewing RNs/APRNs audited; selected APRNs mail the CE Audit Verification Form and certificates for 12 pharmacotherapeutics hours.
- Renew online
- lsbn.boardsofnursing.org ↗
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacology (NP/APRN)APRNs with prescriptive authority (each year, in their role and population foci) | 6 | every year |
| Controlled substances prescribingAPRNs with prescriptive authority and controlled substance privileges (drug diversion, best prescribing practices, addiction treatment); exempt if no controlled substances prescribed in the period | 3 | once |
Alternatives & exemptions. Nationally board-certified APRNs meet the RN license renewal CE by holding an approved certification; the pharmacotherapeutics hours apply only with prescriptive authority.
Good to know. 6 contact hours of pharmacotherapeutics every year = 12 per 2-year license period. The one-time 3-hour controlled substance course counts toward the pharmacotherapeutics hours for the year it is taken. Biennial renewal online Oct 1 - Dec 31.
Source: www.lsbn.state.la.us · LAC 46:XLVII.4513 and 4516 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Conferences in Louisiana
05 Questions
How many CE hours do nurse practitioners need in Louisiana?
12 contact hours every 2 years.
Which CE courses count for nurse practitioners in Louisiana?
Pharmacotherapeutics CE from a board-approved national certifying organization or board-approved provider; hours must be delineated on the certificate (CMEs accepted if pharmacotherapeutic hours are documented).
Which CE topics are mandatory for nurse practitioners in Louisiana?
Pharmacology (NP/APRN) — 6 h (every year); Controlled substances prescribing — 3 h (once).
How do I verify a nurse practitioner license in Louisiana?
Use the license lookup of the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (lsbn.state.la.us); the board's own record is the primary source. CE status itself is checked by the board at renewal.
When is the renewal deadline for nurse practitioners in Louisiana?
Licenses renew by December 31 (2 years cycle).