Louisiana: school, college and career rules
Louisiana offers a 24-unit TOPS University diploma and a 23-unit Jump Start TOPS Tech career diploma, requires passing LEAP 2025 tests in three course pairs, and funds TOPS merit scholarships and need-based GO Grants through LOSFA.
Linked from the State Population Totals 2020-2025 page (census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-state-total.html); population and rank copied from the POPESTIMATE2025 and NRANK_POPEST2025 columns.Census
High school diploma
Bulletin 741 sets two diploma pathways: the TOPS University (college) diploma and the Jump Start TOPS Tech (career) diploma. The rows show the TOPS University minimum for students entering grade 9 from 2027-28. doe.louisiana.gov blocks India (Cloudflare); read from the Internet Archive capture of 2026-10-01 (20261001224842). The form cites Bulletin 741 as the governing rule.LDOE
| Subject | State minimum |
|---|---|
| English | 4 units |
| Mathematics | 4 units |
| Science | 4 units |
| Social studies | 4 units |
| Foreign language | 2 units |
| Art | 1 unit |
| Physical education | 1.5 units |
| Health | 0.5 unit |
| Financial literacy | 1 unit (from freshmen of 2024-25) |
| Computer science | 1 unit (from freshmen of 2027-28) |
| Electives | 1 unit |
TOPS University: 24 units. Jump Start TOPS Tech: 23 units (4 English, 4 math, 2 science, 2 social studies, 1.5 physical education, 0.5 health and 9 units of Jump Start courses, workplace experience and credentials).
State tests for the diploma
Students must also pass the LEAP 2025 test in one course of each of three pairs (see State test). doe.louisiana.gov blocks India (Cloudflare); read from the Internet Archive capture of 2026-10-01 (20261001224842). The form cites Bulletin 741 as the governing rule.LDOE
Also good to know
- Freshmen of 2024-25 to 2026-27 take 2 electives instead of computer science; freshmen of 2014-15 to 2023-24 had 3 electives and no financial literacy unit.
LDOE
Individual Graduation Plan (IGP), with TOPS University and TOPS Tech diploma course requirements (PDF, revised 2026-08-05)Louisiana Department of Education- Checked
- 22 Oct 2026
doe.louisiana.gov blocks India (Cloudflare); read from the Internet Archive capture of 2026-10-01 (20261001224842). The form cites Bulletin 741 as the governing rule.
View source - Students can add diploma endorsements, such as community service, STEM and the State Seal of Biliteracy, through their Individual Graduation Plan.
LDOE
Individual Graduation Plan (IGP), with TOPS University and TOPS Tech diploma course requirements (PDF, revised 2026-08-05)Louisiana Department of Education- Checked
- 22 Oct 2026
doe.louisiana.gov blocks India (Cloudflare); read from the Internet Archive capture of 2026-10-01 (20261001224842). The form cites Bulletin 741 as the governing rule.
View source
State test: LEAP 2025
Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP 2025). Students in grades 3 through high school take LEAP 2025 tests each year in English language arts, math, science and social studies, and in seven high school courses. doe.louisiana.gov blocks India (Cloudflare); read from the Internet Archive capture of 2025-02-07 (20250207163217).LDOE
| Test | Subjects | Grades |
|---|---|---|
| LEAP 2025 | English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies | Grades 3–8 |
| LEAP 2025 high school | English I, English II, Algebra I, geometry, biology, civics and U.S. history | When the course is taken |
Source: doe.louisiana.gov blocks India (Cloudflare); read from the Internet Archive capture of 2025-02-07 (20250207163217).LDOE
What the scores are used for
- To graduate, students must pass one course test in each pair: English I or English II; Algebra I or geometry; and biology or civics (biology or U.S. history for students who entered high school before 2024-25).
LDOE
Parent Guide to LEAP 2025 Tests (PDF, revised 2024-11-22)Louisiana Department of Education- Checked
- 22 Oct 2026
doe.louisiana.gov blocks India (Cloudflare); read from the Internet Archive capture of 2025-02-07 (20250207163217).
View source - School systems count the LEAP test as 15–30% of the final course grade. U.S. history becomes a district-administered test from 2027-28.
LDOE
Parent Guide to LEAP 2025 Tests (PDF, revised 2024-11-22)Louisiana Department of Education- Checked
- 22 Oct 2026
doe.louisiana.gov blocks India (Cloudflare); read from the Internet Archive capture of 2025-02-07 (20250207163217).
View source
National tests (SAT, ACT, AP, NAEP) are on the Exams hub.
Public colleges and universities
The state's public university system(s) and community colleges, from their own pages.
- Louisiana State University (LSU)University system · The state's flagship university, a land-grant, sea-grant and space-grant institution, and the center of the LSU System.
- Louisiana Community and Technical Colleges (LCTC)Community colleges · The state's community and technical college system, including Baton Rouge, Bossier Parish, Delgado, Nunez, River Parishes, South Louisiana and SOWELA, among 12 colleges.
Sources: lctcs.edu blocks India (Cloudflare); read from the Internet Archive capture of 2026-10-17 (20261017105503).LSU
View sourceLCTC
Every school in Louisiana, public and private, with cost and completion: 111 colleges, community colleges and trade schools, with 10 city pages.
In-state tuition: the residency rule
Public colleges charge less to state residents. Who counts as a resident is set by state law or the college system, not by where you went to school alone.
- Louisiana public universities define a resident student as one who has abandoned all prior domiciles and has lived in Louisiana continuously for at least one full year (365 days) before the first day of classes, intending to keep a Louisiana home.
UL System
Policy FB-IV.IV.-1a, Student Residence Regulations (PDF)University of Louisiana System- Checked
- 22 Oct 2026
Read from the Internet Archive capture of 2025-06-19 (20250619100829); the live link now redirects to the system's board-resources page. LSU's own residency page could not be found.
View source - Being in Louisiana only to study is not enough, however long the stay, without substantial evidence of intent to remain.
UL System
Policy FB-IV.IV.-1a, Student Residence Regulations (PDF)University of Louisiana System- Checked
- 22 Oct 2026
Read from the Internet Archive capture of 2025-06-19 (20250619100829); the live link now redirects to the system's board-resources page. LSU's own residency page could not be found.
View source - R.S. 17:2137: members of the U.S. Armed Forces permanently stationed in Louisiana, and veterans and others using VA education benefits who live in Louisiana, are classified as residents for tuition.
La. Legislature
La. R.S. 17:2137, Tuition fees for members of the armed forces, their dependents, and certain other personsLouisiana State Legislature- Checked
- 22 Oct 2026
legis.la.gov times out from India; read from the Internet Archive capture of 2026-02-10 (20260210113826).
View source
The college's residency office makes the final decision. More on costs: What college costs.
State financial aid
Run by the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA). Federal aid (Pell Grants, loans) starts with the FAFSA: FAFSA, grants and loans.
TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students)
State merit scholarships for Louisiana residents at public colleges, LCTC colleges, approved proprietary schools and LAICU private colleges. The basic Opportunity award needs the 19-unit TOPS core with a 2.50 core GPA and an ACT of at least 20 (or the prior year's state average if higher); TOPS Tech follows the career diploma core. LOSFA
View source
Louisiana GO Grant
Need-based grant for Louisiana residents enrolled at least half time who file the FAFSA and still have unmet need after other gift aid; colleges set award amounts within their allocation. LOSFA
View source
Licensing boards
Lawyers, doctors, CPAs and nurses need a Louisiana license from a state board, even after passing a national exam. These are the boards that grant it.
| License | Louisiana board | Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer How bar admission works | Louisiana Committee on Bar Admissions | Louisiana's own bar exam. MPRE required (passing score 80). NCBELouisiana: bar admission informationNational Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE)
Bar admission agency, the NCBE exams the jurisdiction requires, MPRE passing score and NextGen UBE plans. NCBE advises checking the agency itself for the latest rules. View source |
| Physician How a medical license works | Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners | USMLE (M.D.) or COMLEX-USA (D.O.) FSMBContact a State Medical BoardFederation of State Medical Boards (FSMB)
Directory of every state's medical (and separate osteopathic) board. fsmb.org answers automated reads with 403, so it was read from the Internet Archive capture of 14 Sep 2026; each board link was then opened on 22 Oct 2026, through the board's site or, where it blocks reads from India, its latest archive capture. View source |
| CPA How the CPA license works | State Board of CPAs of Louisiana | Uniform CPA Examination NASBAState Boards of AccountancyNational Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA)
Directory of the 55 boards of accountancy. nasba.org answers automated reads with 403, so it was read from the Internet Archive capture of 15 Oct 2026; board links that had moved were replaced with the board's current page, opened on 22 Oct 2026. View source |
| Registered nurse How the RN license works | Louisiana State Board of Nursing | NCLEX-RN · Nurse Licensure Compact member since July 1, 2019 NCSBNContact Louisiana State Board of NursingNational Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
NCSBN / NLCNLC states and implementation dates (NLC map, PDF)National Council of State Boards of Nursing (Nurse Licensure Compact)
|
Engineering, teaching, real estate, cosmetology and the trades have their own boards: all professional licenses · trades and apprenticeships.
State and city government jobs
Federal jobs are on USAJOBS; state and city governments hire through their own systems.
LA Jobs
Louisiana Department of State Civil Service
- Search classified state jobs on LA Jobs and apply through a NEOGOV account; the Job Information and Test Finder shows which jobs need a test.
- Civil Service's Recruiting and Outreach Center still runs the Protective Services Exam (PSE) and advises applicants on matching their skills to state jobs.
Source: La. Civil Service
View source
Police, fire and other public-safety routes: Public Service & Safety hub.
Registered apprenticeship
Louisiana has a State Apprenticeship Agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor. California is listed under both OA and SAA.Apprenticeship.gov
- Louisiana State Apprenticeship Agency (Louisiana Workforce Commission)Louisiana is a State Apprenticeship Agency state: the state agency registers and oversees programs for federal purposes.
- Trades and apprenticeshipsElectrician, plumber, HVAC and other trade routes on this site
Source: Apprenticeship.gov
View source
Where these facts come from
Official and primary sources only, each checked on the date shown. Rules on testing, aid, licensing and immigration change, so confirm a detail with its source before you rely on it.
- Annual Estimates of Resident Population Change for the United States, States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and State Rankings: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2025 (NST-EST2025-POPCHG2020-2025, CSV) · U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025) checked 2026-10-21
- Louisiana: bar admission information · National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) checked 2026-10-22
- Contact a State Medical Board · Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) checked 2026-10-22
- State Boards of Accountancy · National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) checked 2026-10-22
- Contact Louisiana State Board of Nursing · National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) checked 2026-10-22
- NLC states and implementation dates (NLC map, PDF) · National Council of State Boards of Nursing (Nurse Licensure Compact) checked 2026-10-07
- Individual Graduation Plan (IGP), with TOPS University and TOPS Tech diploma course requirements (PDF, revised 2026-08-05) · Louisiana Department of Education checked 2026-10-22
- Parent Guide to LEAP 2025 Tests (PDF, revised 2024-11-22) · Louisiana Department of Education checked 2026-10-22
- About LSU · Louisiana State University checked 2026-10-22
- Louisiana Community and Technical Colleges: Our Colleges · Louisiana Community and Technical Colleges checked 2026-10-22
- Policy FB-IV.IV.-1a, Student Residence Regulations (PDF) · University of Louisiana System checked 2026-10-22
- La. R.S. 17:2137, Tuition fees for members of the armed forces, their dependents, and certain other persons · Louisiana State Legislature checked 2026-10-22
- The TOPS Opportunity Award · Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance checked 2026-10-22
- Go Grant · Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance checked 2026-10-22
- Louisiana State Civil Service: job seekers and the Recruiting and Outreach Center · Louisiana Department of State Civil Service checked 2026-10-22
- State Offices: Office of Apprenticeship and State Apprenticeship Agency contacts by state · U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship checked 2026-10-21
- The Apprenticeship System: Office of Apprenticeship (OA) and recognized State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) states · U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship checked 2026-10-21