How To Become a Real Estate Agent in Louisiana

Attaining a real estate agent license in Louisiana can be done in under a year. And, it is the first step in an exciting career helping clients buy and sell properties across the Bayou State.

The Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC) oversees the licensing process and establishes the requirements and qualifications for real estate professionals in the state.¹

When applying for a license, aspiring agents must fulfill a number of required steps, including:

1. Meet baseline legal standards
2. Complete pre-licensing education as outlined by the current law
3. Pass the state exam
4. Undergo a background check
5. Obtain E&O insurance and pay fees
6. Secure broker sponsorship
7. Have your license application submitted and approved

This guide outlines the detailed process of how to become a licensed real estate pro in Louisiana, according to the resources provided by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC).

Before then, here is a quick overview of the key steps applicants have to complete when obtaining a real estate license in Louisiana:

1. Meet the baseline prerequisites such as being 18+ years old and having a high school diploma or equivalent.
2. Complete 90 hours of approved pre-licensing education courses from an accredited real estate school.
3. Submit the completed Salesperson License Application – Part A along with course certificates.
4. Pass the real estate license exam administered through Pearson VUE with both national and state-specific sections.
5. Undergo a fingerprint-based criminal background check through the approved vendor; ClearBox.
6. Obtain errors and omissions (E&O) insurance coverage.
7. Find a sponsoring broker to affiliate your license with.
8. Submit the Salesperson License Application – Part B to activate your license.
9. Finish 45 hours of required post-licensing education within the first 180 days.

While the path may seem lengthy, obtaining licensure demonstrates to the LREC your preparedness to practice real estate ethically and legally in Louisiana.

Meeting each requirement also shows clients that agents have the training and trustworthy qualifications to advise them on property transactions.

Core Standards for Real Estate License Eligibility

To attain a real estate salesperson license in Louisiana, applicants are required to meet certain baseline qualifications.² These prerequisites ensure all agents have the minimum knowledge and legal capacity to conduct real estate transactions ethically and legally.

They include:

• To have attained the minimum age of 18 years before applying
• Have a high school diploma or equivalency certificate (GED)
• Legally authorized to work in the U.S.

Here are each of these essential conditions and more in more detail.

Age and Basic Education Standards

Applicants must be at least 18 years old. You must reach your 18th birthday before applying for a Louisiana real estate license.

As evidence of meeting the age requirement, you will need to provide your date of birth on the license application forms. No additional documentation is needed.

This age minimum ensures agents have reached a level of maturity and life experience needed to effectively advise clients.

At a minimum, applicants must also have obtained a high school diploma or passed the General Educational Development (GED) exam meeting state education requirements. There are no exceptions or substitutions for this requirement.

You will need to indicate your education level on the license application and may be required to provide supporting documentation. College transcripts or diplomas are accepted.

A diploma provides evidence that applicants have the basic academic abilities like reading comprehension needed to successfully complete the real estate curriculum.

There are no exemptions from these requirements. The commission believes real estate agents should have an acceptable level of life experience and foundational education before pursuing a professional license.

Requisite Pre-License Education Duration

Before taking the Louisiana real estate exam, you must complete 90 hours of LREC-approved pre-licensing education courses.

Pre-licensing education gives you a strong foundation in the different aspects of real estate such as:

• Real estate principles and practices
• Louisiana license laws and Commission rules
• Property valuation
• Contracts and transaction paperwork
• Agency relationships between clients, brokers, and salespersons
• Real estate financing options
• Construction and building systems
• Property disclosures and regulations
• Applied math for real estate
• Professional standards and ethics

Taking this comprehensive education ensures you build knowledge of real estate foundations before seeking licensure.

There are three main options for satisfying the 90 credit hour requirement:

1. State-Certified Real Estate Schools

Many applicants choose to take pre-licensing courses through private real estate schools certified by LREC.³ These schools offer structured educational programs specifically designed to prepare students for the licensing exam.

Courses are available through:

•  In-person classes: Candidates attend live classroom sessions on a set schedule. This offers classroom interaction and easy access to instructors.
• Live online classes: Learners participate in live-streamed lectures and discussions. This provides structure without the difficulty of commuting.
• On-demand online classes: This option allows candidates to earn at their own pace with pre-recorded video lessons and progress tracking. It offers the most flexibility.
• Correspondence: Learners receive printed materials by mail to study on their own before taking a final exam.

When selecting a real estate school, consider affordability, quality of instruction, exam preparation, and classroom experience. The best pre-licensing providers have a track record of helping students pass the state exam.

Make sure the school is authorized to issue certificates of completion for exam eligibility.

2. Colleges and Universities

You may also meet the pre-licensing education requirement through real estate-related courses completed at accredited colleges and universities. The courses must be directly applicable to the exam topics listed above.

You will need to request an official transcript and submit it together with a written request for a review of the salesperson’s pre-licensing educational requirements so as to have your courses reviewed by LREC for credit.

The request must be emailed to the LREC Education Division for review before submitting an application for licensing. This review takes around 30 days.

3. Approved Courses in Other States

If you completed real estate education in another state, you can request to have those courses reviewed for partial credit toward Louisiana’s pre-licensing requirement.

However, the 30 hours covering Louisiana real estate law, Commission rules, agency, and civil law must be completed through Louisiana-approved courses.

Submit your official licensing history and education transcripts for evaluation. Allow around 30 days for review.

For those who use the traditional route, they have a maximum of 6 months to complete all 90 hours of pre-licensing education from the start date of the first course. The clock starts ticking as soon as you begin your first course.

LREC may grant partial credit for courses finished more than 5 years ago, but the approval decision depends heavily on how current and applicable the course content remains today. Older courses often do not align with the latest laws and practices tested on the exam.

Once your education is complete, the authorized school or program will issue your certificate of completion. This certificate allows you to move forward with the licensing application and exam registration.

Real Estate School Pre-Licensing Price

So, how much does it cost to take pre-licensing courses in Louisiana? Well, the cost of real estate pre-licensing tuition varies depending on the provider, delivery format, study tools, and exam prep materials included.

In Louisiana, pre-licensing packages range from:

• $200 to $300 for more budget-friendly online courses
• $300 to $500 for comprehensive online programs with exam prep
• $500 to $800+ for classroom instruction

Research  LREC-approved education providers to find the pre-licensing option that is best aligned with your learning style, career goals, and budget.³ Focus on the schools with a proven track record of effective exam preparation.

Compulsory Background Investigation for Real Estate Licensure (Fingerprint Office Sites)

All initial license applicants in Louisiana must undergo a fingerprint-based criminal history review through the Louisiana State Police (LSP). Disclosing any criminal history or charges at the start of the application process can ease this process.

On the other hand, attempting to hide prior offenses will only lead to more complications down the road.

The background check involves submitting your fingerprints, background check authorization forms, copy of ID, and processing fees to approved locations. You cannot mail fingerprint cards or forms directly to LREC; they must go to authorized police locations.

Here are the steps to completing the background check requirement:

1. Download and fill out the  Background Check Authorization and  Rapsheet Disclosure forms from the LREC website.^4,5

2. Schedule an appointment to have your fingerprints collected at your local law enforcement agency or the LSP Headquarters located in Baton Rouge. The nearest locations can be found on the Louisiana State Police website.

• Physical Address: 7919 Independence Blvd. Baton Rouge, LA 70806
• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 66614, #A-6 Baton Rouge, LA 70896-6614

3. The standard background check fee is $39.25. An additional $10 fingerprinting fee may apply if the fingerprinting is done on-site.

4. Bring your completed authorization forms, government-issued photo ID, and required payment to your fingerprint appointment.

Louisiana also uses a state-approved vendor ClearBox for digital fingerprinting. You can schedule an appointment at one of their sites across the state or do ink-based fingerprint cards if needed.

Expect to pay a $49 fee when registering.

Here are the steps to complete the required fingerprinting with ClearBox in Louisiana:

1. Register for your background check through the ClearBox portal.⁶
2. Select a fingerprinting location most convenient for you and schedule an appointment.
3. Attend your appointment and submit your fingerprints.
4. ClearBox will then transmit your prints to the Louisiana State Police for processing
5. After review by LSP, your background check results will be provided directly to LREC within 30 business days. Check your  MyLREC portal for status updates.⁷
6. Any potential disqualifying history will be presented to you for explanation and documentation.

The background check results are valid for 180 days. LREC suggests waiting to start the background check process until after you have passed the licensing exam.

Having a criminal record does not automatically preclude licensing, but can prompt additional review. It is advisable to proactively disclose and explain any past offenses when applying.

Applicants with felony convictions can request a pre-determination of their license eligibility by submitting a  Felony Review Hearing Request form.⁸ At a hearing, the LREC will make a decision based on factors like offense severity, time passed, and rehabilitation evidence.

Louisiana Real Estate Commission Pricing and Membership Expenditures

To become a licensed real estate salesperson in Louisiana, applicants are required to pay various fees to the state’s Real Estate Commission including:

• License application fee: This is a $90 non-refundable fee paid upon submitting Salesperson Application Part A to cover processing and background checks.
• Exam registration fee: This is $85 paid to Pearson VUE when scheduling your license test.
• Fingerprinting fee: This is a $49 paid when registering through ClearBox for required criminal history checks. Using Louisiana State Police can also attract a $39.25 charge plus $10.
• Errors and Omissions Insurance: This is a $149+ fee paid annually depending on the chosen policy. E&O Insurance (Group Policy) costs $143 ($136 + $7 LREC transaction fee).
• License fee: This is a $165 fee paid when submitting Salesperson Application Part B for your initial 2-year license.
• License renewal fee: This is a $155 fee paid every 2 years to renew your license for the next renewal period. Late fees also apply for lapsed licenses.
• Continuing education: This involves a $100 – $300+ fee paid annually for required post and continuing education courses.
• Other fees: For transfers, certifications, and changes requiring LREC approval.

Be sure to budget for expenses during the application process and ongoing professional development to maintain your license. Ongoing expenses typically normalize after the initial investment.