How to Get a Real Estate License in Louisiana

From French Quarter townhomes in New Orleans to new construction outside Baton Rouge, real estate is woven into everyday life across Louisiana. Agents here don’t just open doors–they help families navigate generational property, flood zone questions, and fast-changing local markets. For people who enjoy working face-to-face, building trust, and staying connected to where they live, real estate can be a rewarding and flexible career. 

Becoming a real estate agent is often the first step toward building a career in real estate. It’s a role that offers independence, variety, and room to grow, whether you’re starting fresh or shifting careers. This guide is designed to help you understand how to move forward when you’re ready.

Here’s a quick overview of how to get a real estate license in Louisiana:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Complete 90 hours of required prelicensing education
• Submit an initial application to the Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC)
• Complete fingerprinting and a background check
• Receive exam authorization and pass the national and Louisiana real estate exam
• Choose a sponsoring broker and obtain errors and omissions (E&O) insurance
• Receive your Louisiana real estate salesperson license

Table of Contents

• Steps to Getting a Real Estate License in Louisiana
• Continuing Education and License Renewal for Louisiana Real Estate Salespersons
• Louisiana Real Estate License Reciprocity for Salespersons

Steps to Getting a Real Estate License in Louisiana

Louisiana’s real estate licensing process follows a specific order set by the LREC, and each step below builds on the one before it:

Step 1: Meet Louisiana’s Eligibility Requirements

Before you can apply for a real estate license in Louisiana, you must meet the state’s minimum eligibility standards. These requirements apply to all applicants, regardless of background or experience.

To qualify, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a high school diploma or GED
  

Meeting these requirements allows you to move forward with prelicensing education and the application process. 

Step 2: Complete 90 Hours of Prelicensing Education

Louisiana requires aspiring real estate salespersons to complete 90 hours of prelicensing education approved by the LREC. This coursework introduces you to the legal, practical, and ethical responsibilities of working as a real estate agent in the state.

Topics covered include:

• Real estate principles
• Contracts
• Agency relationships
• Property ownership
• Louisiana-specific real estate laws
  

All required hours must be completed before you can apply to the state or take the licensing exam.

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Step 3: Submit Your Initial Application to the Louisiana Real Estate Commission

Unlike some states, Louisiana requires you to apply to the LREC before taking the licensing exam. This step confirms your eligibility and starts the official licensure review process.

Your application is submitted directly to the LREC and must be approved before you can move on to testing. Timing matters here, so it’s important to submit accurate information and required documentation to avoid delays.

Step 4: Complete Fingerprinting and a Background Check

As part of the application process, Louisiana requires all real estate license applicants to complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check. This review helps ensure all licensees meet the state’s professional and ethical standards. Fingerprinting is completed through an approved vendor, and the results are sent directly to the appropriate state agencies for review. 

Step 5: Receive Exam Authorization and Pass the National and Louisiana Real Estate Exam

After the LREC reviews and approves your application and background check, you’ll receive authorization to take the national and Louisiana real estate license exam. The exam is administered by Pearson VUE, the state’s approved testing provider. 

The exam includes both national real estate topics and Louisiana-specific content, covering areas such as:

• Property ownership
• Contracts
• Agency
• State laws

Passing the exam is required before the LREC can issue your real estate license. 

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Step 6: Choose a Sponsoring Broker and Obtain E&O Insurance

Before your license can be activated, you must affiliate with a licensed Louisiana real estate broker. As a new agent, your sponsoring broker provides supervision, guidance, and legal oversight while you build experience and begin working with clients. 

When evaluating brokerages, it’s worth looking beyond commission splits and considering the support offered to new agents, such as:

• Training and onboarding programs
• Access to mentorship or team support
• Technology, marketing tools, and lead opportunities
• Brokerage culture and expectations

Louisiana also requires proof of E&O insurance before a license can be issued. E&O insurance helps protect agents in the event of claims related to professional services. Many brokerages assist new agents with securing coverage as part of the onboarding process.

Step 7: Receive Your Louisiana Real Estate Salesperson License

After you’ve completed your education, application, background check, exam, and broker affiliation requirements, the LREC can issue your real estate salesperson license. Once issued, you’re legally authorized to practice real estate in Louisiana under your sponsoring broker. 

Continuing Education and License Renewal for Louisiana Real Estate Salespersons

In Louisiana, real estate licensees renew on a calendar-year cycle, with different education requirements for first-time and subsequent renewals:

First-Time Renewal Requirements for New Salespersons

If you’re newly licensed, Louisiana requires additional education during your first renewal cycle that is separate from standard annual continuing education (CE):

• Complete the 45-hour post-licensing course within 180 days of your initial license date
• Ensure your education satisfies the 12-hour CE requirement for the renewal year
• Complete the LREC mandatory topic course required for that year, which is not included in the 45-hour post-licensing curriculum

Subsequent Renewal Requirements for Active Salespersons

After your first renewal cycle, Louisiana real estate salespersons must meet the state’s standard annual CE requirements to keep their license active:

• Complete 12 hours of LREC-approved CE each year
• Ensure your 12 hours include the LREC mandatory topic course(s) assigned for the renewal year
• Finish all required CE during the timely renewal period starting August 1st through September 30th to stay compliant (missing the deadline can lead to fines and/or disciplinary action)

Louisiana Real Estate License Reciprocity for Salespersons

Louisiana offers real estate license reciprocity, which means licensed agents from certain other states can apply for a Louisiana real estate salesperson license without starting from scratch on prelicensing education and the full licensing exam–provided they meet specific conditions set by the LREC:

Which States Have Reciprocity With Louisiana?

Louisiana currently has formal reciprocal agreements with the following states for salesperson-level licenses:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Georgia
• Iowa
• Mississippi
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania

These agreements allow eligible license holders from these states to apply for the same type of license they hold in their home state (for example, a salesperson license in another state can lead to a salesperson license in Louisiana) without completing all of Louisiana’s prelicensing education. 

How Reciprocity Works in Louisiana

To qualify for reciprocal licensure in Louisiana, you generally must:

• Hold an active, valid real estate license in one of the reciprocal states listed above at the time of application
• Provide a certified license history from your home state (and any other states where you were previously licensed) showing good standing
• Submit the appropriate Louisiana salesperson application forms and fees to the LREC
• Complete a Louisiana background check and provide proof of E&O insurance as required by the state

Since this is a license-for-license basis, you can only obtain the same license type in Louisiana that you already hold out of state. If you want a different license level (for example, moving from salesperson to broker level), you’ll need to meet the applicable Louisiana requirements for that license type. 

Important Considerations for Reciprocal Applicants

Even with reciprocity, there are a few key points to keep in mind:

• Reciprocity only applies if you were a legal resident and holding a license in good standing in the reciprocal state at the time you apply
• You must continue to comply with Louisiana’s CE and renewal requirements once your Louisiana license is issued
• If you move out of the reciprocal state where you originally qualified, you may lose your reciprocal status and must follow standard Louisiana licensure requirements

Reciprocity can make transitioning into the Louisiana market easier for out-of-state agents, but it’s important to follow all LREC rules and submit complete documentation to avoid application delays. If you’re unsure about your eligibility or the required forms, the LREC’s official guidance is the best place to start.