Louisiana Real Estate License Requirements

To sell or lease real estate in Louisiana and earn a commission, you must have an Louisiana Real Estate License.

The steps to obtain a LA Real Estate License:

Step #1: Take the 90-hour Pre-License Course.

Step #2: Submit Louisiana Real Estate Salesperson License-Part A.

Step #3: Schedule your state exam.

Step #4: Pass your LA State License Exam.

Step #5: Order a background check.

Step #6: Purchase E&O insurance.

Step #7: Get hired by a Louisiana Broker and Submit Part B.

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General Requirements

How to Get a Real Estate Salesperson License in Louisiana

In Louisiana, an applicant must be at least 18 years of age and have earned a high school diploma or equivalency certificate before applying for a salesperson license.

If you have been convicted of a felony, you’ll need to complete the felony applicant process first.

Otherwise, you meet these two basic requirements, you can earn your Louisiana salesperson’s license in (7) steps.

Step 1: Complete Pre-license Education

Louisiana requires salesperson applicants to take 90 hours of pre-licensing education. The 90-hour pre-licensing course must be taken from an approved and state-certified real estate school.

The Louisiana Real Estate commission may give partial credit for any courses completed five years prior to the application date depending on its completion date and relevance to the current educational requirements.

LREC may also give credit for real estate courses completed at a college or university. Applicants with college credits must submit an original transcript to the LREC with a written request to review. It may take up to 30 days for a response.

Otherwise, the pre-license course can be taken online or in-person.

The Louisiana 90-hour pre-licensing course will have a final exam to cap the coursework. You must pass the final to receive your certificate of completion.

Step 2: Submit the Salesperson License Application A

Once your 90-hour course is done, you’ll need to send your completion certificate to the LREC with your Initial Real Estate Salesperson License Application – Part A. The total fees for this application are $90.

The LREC will process your application and send its approved to its testing provider, PSI.

Step 3: Schedule Your State Exam

PSI will receive your contact information from the LREC once Part A of your licensing application is approved. You’ll receive an email from PSI with the Examination Authorization Form and instructions on how to schedule your state exam. Your Examination Authorization entitles you to take the exam one time.

PSI runs testing centers in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Metairie, New Orleans, and Shreveport. The Lousisana salesperson exam may also be given at some test centers in Texas. You can see the testing locations in the Candidate Handbook or by scheduling on PSI’s website. You can also call (855) 579-4644 for registration assistance.

The Louisiana Salesperson Exam costs $85 and is payable directly to PSI. The company accepts credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover) for payment.

Step 4: Take and Pass the State Exam

The Louisiana state salesperson exam is divided into a national and state section with a total of 135 questions worth 135 points.

The Salesperson Pre-licensure Exam includes:

  1. National section of 80 questions. A passing score is 56. The time allowed is 105 minutes.
  2. State section of 55 questions. A passing score is 40. The time allowed is 75 minutes.

The exam includes multiple-choice questions.

Woman with laptop.

You are notified on-screen immediately upon completion of the exam if you have passed or failed. You’ll also be given an official score report with your score and any diagnostic information. The exam report will also be reported to the Louisiana Real Estate Commission.

You must pass both portions of the exam before moving onto next steps with your license. You’ll need to apply for a new examination eligibility from the LREC in the MyLREC Portal and pay a $15 re-eligibility fee before you can reschedule. If you fail one section, you can retake just the failed part. You have one year from your initial exam to pass both sections before the LREC closes your application.

Step 5: Order Your Background Check

Now that you’ve passed the exam, all applicants must order the background check through Clearbox at LREC website. Payment is accepted via credit or debit card. The name on the card must match the name on your application. The nonrefundable fee paid to Clearbox is $49 when paid online or $75 when mailed by check.

Your background check is only good for 180 days. The Commission advises you to wait to pass your real estate exam before ordering your background check. Your license must also be issued within the 180 day time frame, so time your submission with the next steps.

Step 6: Acquire Errors & Omissions Insurance

Louisiana requires all real estate salespersons to have a current E&O policy before receiving an active license. See R.S. 37:1466 for real estate licensees.

You must submit proof of insurance with your salesperson license application part B. You can either choose the LREC group policy serviced by RISC or pick an independent plan. The group policy has a $136 premium plus $7 LREC transaction fee.

If you choose an independent E&O policy, turn in the Independent Errors & Omissions Coverage form and your declaration page.

Step 7: Submit Part B of Your License Application

As you work through Steps 5 & 6, you’ll simultaneously be working to submit your Initial Real Estate License Application - Part B. In addition to E&O insurance information, this step requires you to have a sponsoring broker who will sign and acknowledge you on the application form.

After LREC approves your initial license, you will have 180 days to complete a required 45-hour post-license education course.

Following this final step, congratulations! You are now a Louisiana real estate salesperson.

 

Man writing on a notepad.

Can I take the LA pre-license course if I'm still in high school?

The Louisiana Real Estate Commission requires you to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent before applying for a license. Since you submit Part A of the application shortly after finishing the 90-hour pre-license course, you could take the course near the end of your high school education.

What are the requirements to apply for a LA real estate license?

You must complete the 90-hour pre-license course, pass the state licensing exam, order a background check, and obtain E&O insurance. You’ll send Part A and Part B of the license application. You must also be at least 18 years of age. You’ll need a sponsoring broker to get an active license.

Can I take the 90-hour LA real estate license course online?

Yes, many students prefer to take the course online because it is more affordable and flexible than in-person classes. As long as a state-approved education provider provides the course, you can take it online.

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