Getting your Louisiana Real Estate License is the first step to becoming a real estate agent in Louisiana. Nowadays, this process can be done almost entirely online. You will still need to take your Louisiana real estate license exam in person, but the rest of the process can be completed entirely online!

This article outlines how to become a real estate agent in Louisiana in an easy to understand, step-by-step manner. You’ll learn how much it will cost, how long it will take, what is on the exam, and much more.

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Louisiana

Becoming a real estate agent in Louisiana is as simple as getting your license, finding a broker sponsor, and getting to work selling real estate! As long as you fulfill the below requirements, you are already on your way to your goal.

Louisiana Real Estate License Requirements

The requirements to become a real estate affiliate in Louisiana are:

• Be a citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien
• Be 18 years of age or older
• Must have obtained a high school diploma or equivalency certificate (GED)

How to Get Your Real Estate License in Louisiana

Step 1. Real Estate Pre-Licensing Course

To start, you need to successfully complete an approved 90-hour pre-licensing course.

Most people choose to take their pre-license education course online. The majority of online courses are self-paced and include study materials like real estate practice exams and flashcards. Some also come with a “guarantee” that you will pass the exam on your first attempt if you complete their course. These benefits are all dependent on the education provider and package you choose, so be sure to get the course that best suits your needs.

Remember that the point of these courses isn’t just to check a box and complete a requirement, but rather to prepare you to pass your exam and become a better agent.

Louisiana does not require the final pre-license exam to be supervised by a proctor. This is not the same as the state exam. This test is provided by your pre-license education company and is an indication that you have completed and retained the information from your pre-license education course.

Similar to the state exam, this test is closed-book and closed-note. You are allowed a basic-function calculator and scratch paper, but no cell phones or outside internet access.

Step 2. Real Estate Salesperson License Application

Once you have completed your pre-license education, you need to complete and turn in your Salesperson License Application Part A, including the required fee.

The fee for this application is $90. You can find the breakdown of that fee below:

• Initial license fee – $45
• Research and Education Fund fee – $10
• Recovery Fund fee – $10 
• Application Processing fee – $25

You will need to mail the completed application to:

Louisiana Real Estate Commission
9071 Interline Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70809

Step 3. Louisiana Real Estate License Exam

Once the Louisiana Real Estate Commission has processed your application, you will receive an email from PSI – the company that deals with your licensing exam – with instructions on how to schedule your exam.

The fee to take the exam is $85 per attempt.

The Louisiana Real Estate Exam consists of 135 questions. This includes 80 for the National section and 55 for the State section.

You will have 180 minutes (3 hours) to complete the entire exam. The National section time is 105 minutes (2.75 hours), and the State section time is 75 minutes (1.25 hours).

A passing score for the Louisiana Real Estate Salesperson Exam is 56/80 on the National section and 40/56 on the State section.

Immediately after completing your exam, you will receive a scoring document that states whether you passed or failed. If it is marked “Fail”, then you will see a breakdown of your score in the different areas of the exam. If you decide to retake the exam, use this as a guide for your studies.

You can register to take your exam on the PSI Louisiana Real Estate page. On this page, you will find some other helpful resources as well, including the Candidate Handbook and Content Outline.

Step 4. Fingerprinting and Background Check

After passing your examination, the next step is to complete your fingerprinting and background check. The Louisiana Real Estate Commission requires that all applicants have a background check performed before becoming a licensed real estate agent in Louisiana.

To ensure that this information is received in a standard, consistent format, with a level of quality that adequately meets this requirement, the LREC has contracted with Clearbox, LLC to conduct criminal background history checks on each initial license applicant.

The fee to complete your fingerprinting services is $49.

Completing and turning in your fingerprints will begin the background check process. The Louisiana Real Estate Commission will review any findings in your background report to ensure your eligibility. During this process, they may reach out to you to provide additional information or documentation to clear up any findings.

For those who have criminal offenses or judgments against them, there’s a possibility that you may not be eligible for a real estate license in Louisiana. If this is the case, you should complete and submit a Felony Applicant form.

Your paperwork may be submitted via email to compliance@lrec.gov. Your paperwork can also be mailed to: Louisiana Real Estate Commission 9071 Interline Avenue Baton Rouge, LA 70809.

Felony applicants may be required to appear for a hearing at a regularly scheduled Louisiana Real Estate Commission meeting where the Commissioners will make a final decision regarding initial licensure.

Step 5. Obtain Errors and Omissions Insurance

All active licensees are mandated to carry errors and omissions insurance.

You can purchase your E&O Insurance through the LREC group policy by remitting payment in the appropriate amount based on the pro-rated premium chart on the Initial Real Estate License Application Part B form.

You can also choose to purchase your E&O from a source other than the LREC group policy. If you choose this option, you will need to complete and turn in an Independent Errors and Omissions Insurance form. You will also need to receive a declarations page from your insurer.

Step 6. Application Review

Once you’ve passed and have completed the checklist, you will only need to wait for your license to be issued. In most cases, this process should take between 5 to 10 business days. You may check if your license is available via LREC Verify License Search. If you have any questions at this point, you should contact LREC at (225) 925-1923 or info@lrec.gov.

Congratulations! 

Be sure to take some time to celebrate your accomplishment. You’ve put in a lot of work and effort and deserve a celebration!

Step 7. Real Estate License Sponsorship

To activate your license, you will need to be sponsored by a licensed real estate broker in Louisiana. 

You will need to complete and submit the Sponsorship Affidavit Form (Initial Real Estate License Application – Part B) to the following mailing address:

Louisiana Real Estate Commission
9071 Interline Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70809

If you don’t yet have a broker to work with check out StateRequirement Jobs for a real estate salesperson opening in your area.

Louisiana Post-Licensing Education

All initial licensees are required to complete 45 post-license education hours within 180 days after the initial license date.

LREC – Louisiana Real Estate Commission

Mailing Address: 

Louisiana Real Estate Commission
9071 Interline Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70809

Phone: (225) 925-1923

Email: info@lrec.gov

Website: http://www.lrec.state.la.us/