Pharmacist License in Louisiana 2026: NAPLEX, MPJE, Board Requirements

Louisiana's healthcare market is centered in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, with Ochsner Health and LCMC Health driving significant pharmacist demand across the Gulf Coast region.

Pharmacist Licensing Requirements in Louisiana

All pharmacists licensed in Louisiana must hold a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from an ACPE-accredited program, pass the NAPLEX, and pass the MPJE jurisprudence examination. The Louisiana Board of Pharmacy requires 1,500 verified intern hours and charges one of the higher initial application fees in the region at approximately $200.

Step-by-Step: Louisiana Pharmacist License Process

1. Create your NABP e-Profile, Register at nabp.pharmacy ($35). Louisiana uses the NABP e-Profile system for exam score reporting and intern hour verification.
2. Complete 1,500 intern hours, Supervised hours under a Louisiana-licensed preceptor. Hospital, retail, clinical, compounding, and long-term care pharmacy settings are all approved. Your PharmD program certifies hours electronically.
3. Pass the NAPLEX, Register through NABP ($695). The adaptive exam requires a minimum score of 75. Louisiana does not restrict attempts within the standard NABP 3-attempt / 3-year window.
4. Pass the MPJE, Register through NABP (~$150). The Louisiana MPJE covers LSA-R.S. 37:1161 et seq. (Louisiana Pharmacy Practice Act), Schedule I-V controlled substance law, and collaborative pharmacy practice provisions.
5. Submit the Louisiana Board application, Apply online through the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy portal. Pay the ~$200 fee. Upload official transcripts from your ACPE-accredited program, NABP exam scores, and certified intern hour documentation.
6. Complete a background check, Submit fingerprints to the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification or an approved vendor (~$50-75). Results are reviewed by Board staff before license issuance.
7. Receive your Louisiana pharmacist license, Licenses are typically issued within 2-4 weeks of a complete application. Louisiana pharmacist licenses expire October 31 on a biennial renewal schedule.
8. Register with the DEA, Apply for DEA registration (~$888 for 3 years). Louisiana pharmacists are required to access the Louisiana PDMP Aware system before dispensing Schedule II-IV controlled substances.

Fees and Timeline

NAPLEX Score Transfer

Louisiana accepts NABP score transfers for licensed pharmacists from other states. The $50 transfer request is submitted through your NABP e-Profile, and scores must be from within the past 3 years. You must still pass the Louisiana MPJE for the Board to issue a Louisiana license.

DEA Registration

After receiving your Louisiana pharmacist license, apply for DEA registration (~$888 for 3 years) to dispense controlled substances. Louisiana pharmacists must query PDMP Aware before dispensing opioids and other Schedule II-IV drugs. Louisiana has some of the most stringent opioid dispensing monitoring requirements in the South.

Continuing Education Requirements

Louisiana requires 15 contact hours of ACPE-accredited CE per year, totaling 30 hours per biennial renewal period. At least 3 hours must address Louisiana pharmacy law and at least 1 hour must cover substance use disorder or opioid-related topics. CE is documented through CPE Monitor.

Top Louisiana Employers Hiring Pharmacists

• Ochsner Health: Louisiana's largest health system, hiring pharmacists across 46+ hospitals and clinics from New Orleans to Baton Rouge, with specialty pharmacy, clinical, and infusion pharmacy roles.
• LCMC Health: New Orleans-based system including University Medical Center and Children's Hospital New Orleans, with clinical pharmacist and residency-trained positions.
• Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center: Baton Rouge's largest hospital with hospital pharmacy and clinical specialist openings.
• Willis-Knighton Health System: Shreveport-based system with pharmacist openings in hospital, outpatient, and specialty pharmacy settings.
• LSU Health Shreveport / LSU Health New Orleans: Academic medical centers with clinical pharmacist, faculty, and residency program positions.

Pharmacist Salary in Louisiana (2026)

• Staff pharmacist (retail/hospital): $115,000-$128,000
• Clinical pharmacist: $122,000-$133,000
• Pharmacy manager: $130,000-$140,000

Related: Pharmacist Salary Guide 2026, Hospital vs Retail Pharmacist, Clinical Pharmacist Salary Guide, Florida Pharmacist License Guide.