How to become a real estate agent in Louisiana
Louisiana real estate agents are licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC). Here is what it takes to work as a licensed real estate agent in Louisiana, from official sources checked November 4, 2026.
Who can become a real estate agent in Louisiana?
- At least 18 years old
- High school diploma or equivalency (GED)
- Fingerprint-based criminal history review through IdentoGO (for initial applicants since July 3, 2023)
- Errors and omissions (E&O) insurance before the license is issued
Louisiana real estate agent license requirements
| Licensed by | Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC) |
|---|---|
| License name | Real Estate Salesperson |
| Education or training | 90 hours of LREC-approved pre-licensing education, including at least 30 hours on Louisiana license law, Commission rules, law of agency and civil law. Online courses are allowed from Louisiana-certified schools. |
| Exam | Pearson VUE administers the salesperson exam, which has a state portion and a national portion; LREC approves you to schedule after it processes Application Part A. |
| Works under a broker | Yes. An active salesperson must be supervised by a licensed broker, who signs Application Part B. Without a sponsoring broker you can ask for the license to be issued in inactive status. |
| License term | 1 year; all licenses renew annually and must be renewed by December 31. |
| Continuing education | 45 hours of post-licensing education within 180 days of initial licensure, then 12 hours of CE (including mandatory topics) each year by December 31. |
| Reciprocity | Legal residents licensed in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma or Pennsylvania may apply for a reciprocal license of the same type. |
How much does it cost?
| Initial license fee | $45 |
|---|---|
| Research and Education Fund fee | $10 |
| Recovery Fund fee | $10 |
| Application processing fee | $25 |
| Total due with Application Part A | $90 |
| Annual salesperson renewal with LREC group E&O | $219 |
| Annual salesperson renewal with third-party E&O (incl. $7 processing fee) | $77 |
Fees as listed by the state. Schools, courses, exam prep, insurance and equipment cost extra and vary by provider.
Steps to become a real estate agent in Louisiana
- Complete the 90-hour pre-licensing course at an LREC-approved school
- Submit Initial Salesperson License Application Part A with your course certificate and the $90 fee
- Schedule and pay for the exam with Pearson VUE after LREC processes your application
- Complete fingerprinting and the background check through IdentoGO
- Pass both the state and national portions of the exam
- Submit Application Part B with your supervising broker's signature and proof of E&O insurance
- Complete 45 hours of post-licensing education within 180 days
Apply on the official Louisiana site
How do you check a real estate agent's license in Louisiana?
- Search the name or license number on the official Louisiana real estate agent license lookup.
- Check that the status is active and the name matches the person or company you're hiring.
- Ask how long they've been licensed and whether any complaints or discipline are on record.