How to register for the NCLEX in Louisiana

To work as an RN in Louisiana you license with the Louisiana State Board of Nursing through the Louisiana Nurse Portal (US$100). Fingerprints go through IdentoGO with service code 27N3YH (US$60.75 Livescan), your program files the Affidavit of Graduation, and you register with Pearson VUE immediately after applying. A temporary permit is issued up to three weeks after graduation and lasts until your results arrive. Official results come within three weeks of testing. Louisiana joined the Nurse Licensure Compact on July 1, 2019.

✓ Checked against LSBN's official pages on October 7, 2026

At a glance

BoardLouisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN)

ExamNCLEX-RN, through Pearson VUE (US$200)

Application feeUS$100

FingerprintsIdentoGO service code 27N3YH: US$60.75 Livescan, US$55.75 card scan; results to LSBN in about 3 days

Temporary permitissued up to 3 weeks after graduation; valid until results or the expiry date, whichever is first

CompactYes, since July 1, 2019

Steps Educated outside the US Documents Fees How long it takes Questions Official links

The steps, in order (graduates of a Louisiana program)

Tick each step as you finish it; your progress is saved on this device.

7 steps

Apply in the Louisiana Nurse Portal and pay US$100Create your account on the Louisiana Nurse Portal and submit the application for licensure by examination.Louisiana Nurse Portal →
Register with Pearson VUE immediately after applying (US$200)The Board says registration with Pearson VUE should be done immediately after you submit the application; the ATT follows once you are made eligible.Pearson VUE: NCLEX →
Book IdentoGO fingerprints with service code 27N3YHSince November 1, 2024 the state and federal background check runs through IdentoGO/Idemia: enter the service code, pick a location, pay US$60.75 (Livescan) or US$55.75 (card scan from outside Louisiana). Results reach the Board through Louisiana State Police in about three days.LSBN: background check procedures (PDF) →
Your program files the Affidavit of GraduationLouisiana programs use the Affidavit of Graduation Portal, available only to the school; out-of-state graduates have the school submit the Affidavit of Graduation form plus an official transcript.LSBN: education and exam →
Temporary permit up to three weeks after graduationAllow up to three weeks after your graduation date for the temporary permit; it is valid until your exam results are received or its expiry date, whichever comes first.
Write the NCLEX-RN; official results within three weeksOfficial examination results are released to the candidate within three weeks after testing. To retake, file the Board's Request for Retake of NCLEX; Pearson VUE requires 45 days between attempts.What to bring on exam day →
Licence issued; multistate if Louisiana is your primary state of residenceLouisiana has issued multistate licences since July 1, 2019; declare your primary state of residence in the portal.LSBN: Nurse Licensure Compact →

If you were educated outside the United States

The exam is the same; the path to being allowed to write it is longer. These are the extra steps.

2 steps

Credential evaluation and English proficiency per the Board's international requirementsGraduates of programs outside the US submit an education credential evaluation and English proficiency evidence as the Board directs; confirm the accepted agencies on the LSBN site before ordering.LSBN: education and exam →
Application (US$100), IdentoGO from abroad, Pearson VUEOut-of-state and international applicants use IdentoGO's card-scan process (US$55.75) with the same service code. Pearson VUE: US$200, plus US$150 to test outside the US.LSBN: background check procedures (PDF) →

Documents to have ready

Louisiana Nurse Portal application and US$100
IdentoGO fingerprint appointment with service code 27N3YH (ID documents listed in the Board's instructions)
Affidavit of Graduation filed by your program (plus official transcript for out-of-state graduates)
Pearson VUE registration (US$200) made immediately after applying
Request for Retake of NCLEX form, if needed
International graduates: credential evaluation and English proficiency evidence

Fees

Application for licensure by examination	US$100
IdentoGO state and federal background checkpaid to IdentoGO	US$60.75 Livescan / US$55.75 card scan
NCLEX-RN registration (Pearson VUE)per attempt, non-refundable. US$350 from Feb 1, 2027.	US$200

How long it takes

Register with Pearson VUE immediately after applying.
Background check results reach the Board in about 3 days.
Temporary permit: up to 3 weeks after graduation.
Official results within 3 weeks of testing.
Retake after 45 days (Pearson VUE rule).

Mistakes that cost people time or money

Enter service code 27N3YH at IdentoGO or the system will not link your prints to the Board.
If the FBI rejects your prints, use the link in IdentoGO's email to rebook; a fresh booking is charged again.
Ask your program when it files the Affidavit of Graduation; the three-week permit clock starts at graduation.
Results take up to three weeks in Louisiana, longer than most states; plan your start date accordingly.

Questions people ask about Louisiana

How do I register for the NCLEX in Louisiana?

Apply in the Louisiana Nurse Portal (US$100), register with Pearson VUE immediately (US$200), book IdentoGO fingerprints with service code 27N3YH (US$60.75) and have your program file the Affidavit of Graduation. The Board makes you eligible and Pearson VUE emails the Authorization to Test.

How much does a Louisiana RN licence cost?

US$100 to the Board, US$60.75 to IdentoGO (US$55.75 by card scan) and US$200 to Pearson VUE.

Can I work in Louisiana before I pass the NCLEX-RN?

Yes, on a temporary permit issued up to three weeks after your graduation date; it is valid until your exam results are received or its expiry date, whichever comes first.

Is Louisiana a compact state?

Yes, since July 1, 2019. Declare Louisiana as your primary state of residence to receive a multistate licence if you meet the uniform requirements.

How long do NCLEX results take in Louisiana?

Official results are released to the candidate within three weeks after testing.

How does the Louisiana fingerprint process work?

Book an IdentoGO appointment at uenroll.identogo.com with service code 27N3YH, pay US$60.75 for Livescan, and the prints go electronically to Louisiana State Police, which returns results to the Board in about three days. Outside Louisiana, use the card-scan option (US$55.75).

Official links and sources

Rules and fees change. Everything on this page was read on LSBN's and NCSBN's own pages on October 7, 2026; when a detail matters to you, confirm it there:

This guide explains the process; it is not legal or immigration advice. Decisions about your eligibility are made by Louisiana State Board of Nursing.

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