Nursing License from Texas to Louisiana: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Does Louisiana accept a Texas nursing license?
Yes — both Texas and Louisiana are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If Texas is your primary state of residence and you hold a multistate license, you can practice in Louisiana now; if you are moving your residence to Louisiana, apply for licensure by endorsement there and declare Louisiana your new primary state of residence — your multistate privilege continues.
Verify this exact pair in the checker
Same data, interactive — with share link and board links.
Verdict
Compact multistate — already covered
This is the move the compact was built for. Both Texas and Louisiana are NLC members, so the real question is not "does my license transfer" but "is this a relocation or just work". Working in Louisiana while living in Texas — travel contract, remote monitoring, per-diem across the border — needs nothing: your multistate license already covers it. Relocating to Louisiana means your primary state of residence changes, and the compact requires you to endorse into Louisiana and declare it your new home state. You keep practicing on the old privilege the entire time.
What's different between Texas and Louisiana
Computed from both states' verified data rows, in both directions, and from the route every other origin gets into Louisiana. Exam notes are our summary of each board's published rules, with sources below.
- Route, each way
Texas to Louisiana (this page): Compact multistate — already covered.
Louisiana to Texas (the reverse move): Compact multistate — already covered.
The route is the same in both directions.
- Does coming from Texas matter?
Texas gets Louisiana's most common result: 39 of 50 origins (the other 49 states and DC) get the same one, so for most movers the origin does not change the answer.
The others get: licensure by endorsement (11).
- NLC membership
Texas and Louisiana are both NLC member states.
A multistate license issued by Texas covers practice in Louisiana, and one issued by Louisiana covers practice in Texas.
- Application fee
Louisiana lists $100–$200 for an out-of-state applicant and Texas lists $150 for the reverse move; neither may be the full cost.
- Processing time
Texas lists up to 3 weeks for the reverse move; Louisiana has no verified processing-time figure on file, so the two cannot be compared here.
- Exam rules on record
Texas and Louisiana carry the same exam note for a licensee arriving from another state; any state law or jurisprudence exam is listed with each state's requirements.
What changes, Texas → Louisiana
| Texas (current) | Louisiana (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| NLC status | NLC member — multistate license honored | NLC member — multistate license honored |
| Application fee | $150 ($125 endorsement + $25 nursing jurisprudence exam fee; + DPS/FBI fingerprint fee paid to vendor (amount set by DPS/CJIS)) | $100–$200 ($100 endorsement application; $200 if adding the optional 90-day temporary permit; + fingerprint background check fees) |
| Processing time | up to 3 weeks (board reviews for permanent licensure within 15 business days of receiving the last required item; one-time 120-day temporary license issued within 15 business days of application receipt) | no processing timeframe published; optional 90-day temporary endorsement permit allows practice while the application is pending |
| Licensing authority | Texas Board of Nursing | Louisiana State Board of Nursing |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Louisiana sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm your current license is an active multistate license in good standing (check it in the verification system).
- If you are moving your primary residence to Louisiana: apply for licensure by endorsement with the Louisiana State Board of Nursing when you move.
- Declare Louisiana as your new primary state of residence on that application.
- Complete Louisiana's fingerprint/background check requirement if requested.
- Keep practicing — your multistate privilege remains valid during the transition (do not let the old license lapse before the new one issues).
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Do I retake the NCLEX moving from Texas to Louisiana?
No — the NCLEX transfers everywhere. NCLEX is not retaken; your license is verified through Nursys.
What does the move cost?
If you are only working across the border, nothing. If you are relocating your residence to Louisiana: $100–$200 ($100 endorsement application; $200 if adding the optional 90-day temporary permit; + fingerprint background check fees).
How long will it take?
Practice can continue immediately on the multistate privilege; the residence-change endorsement processes in the background (no processing timeframe published; optional 90-day temporary endorsement permit allows practice while the application is pending).
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified Texas 2026-10-29, Louisiana 2026-07-21.
- LSBN — Instructions and Forms for Initial RN License by Endorsement (PDF) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Louisiana Administrative Code 46:XLVII.3341 — Fees ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Louisiana Administrative Code 46:XLVII.3330 — Criminal history check for endorsement ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Texas BON — Licensure by Endorsement ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Texas BON — RN Endorsement Application Requirements, Graduates of U.S. Programs (V5.2026) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Texas BON — Schedule of Fees (Chapter 223) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources Texas 2026-10-29, Louisiana 2026-07-21
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