Louisiana Respiratory Therapist Licensing Guide
License Snapshot
Processing Time
10-12 weeks
From complete application
Application Fee
$125
Renewal: $85
Credential
NBRC
Required national certification
Renewal
10 hours
Every 1 year
Overview
Louisiana does not participate in an interstate compact for respiratory therapy. Travelers must obtain an individual Louisiana license through the endorsement process before practicing in the state, regardless of what licenses they hold elsewhere.
Endorsement Process
Louisiana uses an online via lamed dashboard (https://online.lasbme.org/), plus mailed documents (oath or affirmation, third party authorization, statement of legal name, birth certificate or visa, marriage certificate if applicable) to lsbme at 630 camp street, new orleans, la 70130 endorsement process for respiratory therapists already licensed in another state. You'll need to submit your completed application along with supporting documents and the $125 application fee.
- Submit endorsement application via Louisiana board portal
- Request license verification from current state (via NBRC or direct) (can run concurrently)
- Complete any state-specific requirements (jurisprudence exam, background check, etc.) (can run concurrently)
- Await board review and license issuance
License verification is handled through NBRC credential verification letter emailed directly from NBRC to [email protected], plus verification from every state board where the applicant holds or has held a license (applicant contacts each state board directly). Louisiana requires verification from every state where you hold or have held a respiratory therapist license, so request verification early to avoid delays.
A board-initiated background check after application submission; applicant receives instructions from licensing department once application is received. Background check cannot be processed until the application has been submitted. is required as part of the endorsement process. Submit your fingerprinting authorization as early as possible, since background check processing is one of the most common sources of delay.
Jurisprudence Exam Required: Louisiana requires a mandatory Respiratory Therapy Jurisprudence Examination covering Louisiana-specific law. This cannot be waived regardless of your experience level or compact status. Schedule this early — no license (temporary or permanent) will issue until you've passed it.
After all components are received, the Board reviews applications on a rolling basis. Check the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners website for status updates on your application.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Endorsement Application | $125 |
| Renewal | $85 (every 1 year) |
Travelers should factor these licensing costs into their assignment budgeting. Many staffing agencies, including Fusion Medical Staffing, offer licensure reimbursement programs to help offset these expenses.
Temporary License
Louisiana does not issue temporary respiratory therapy licenses. Your permanent license must be fully issued before you can begin working on assignment. Travelers should plan their start dates accordingly and allow the full processing window before their expected first day.
Processing Time
Louisiana respiratory therapist endorsement applications typically take 10-12 weeks to process. The timeline is subject to moderate variability depending on the completeness of your application and external factors.
In the best-case scenario, processing can be as fast as 6-7 weeks if application is complete, submitted immediately after a board meeting, and verification is received within 2 weeks.
Common sources of delay:
- Board meetings are not held in April and November; applications submitted after the 2-week pre-meeting deadline must wait for the next scheduled meeting, adding 4-6 weeks of delay
- Applications are processed strictly in order received with no expedited track; high volume months can extend wait times beyond the typical 10-12 week range
- Incomplete applications or missing verification documents from the current state board force re-submission, resetting the processing timeline
Louisiana does not offer an expedited processing track. The best way to minimize your wait time is to ensure all application components — fingerprints, verification, and any required exams — are completed before or immediately after submitting your application.
Continuing Education
Louisiana requires 10 contact hours of continuing education every 1 year for respiratory therapist license renewal.
- Traveler tip: Keep all CE documentation organized and easily accessible — Louisiana may audit compliance at any time
Renewal Process
- Renewal cycle: Every year — $85 via Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners portal
- Renewal timing: License expires on the last day of the month in which the licensee was born.
- Traveler tip: Track your Louisiana license expiration date carefully — a lapsed license can disrupt active assignments
Official Resources
Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners
Board Website·Application Portal·License Verification
Phone: (504) 568-6820
Email: [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
Please note that while Fusion Medical Staffing strives to provide the most current and accurate information, we cannot guarantee the completeness or timeliness of the information provided. Requirements and processes can change frequently. Healthcare professionals are strongly encouraged to verify details directly with Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners's official website.
Resources
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