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How to get a real estate license in Louisiana. 90 pre-licensing hours required. Government fees: $377.75. 1-year renewal cycle. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Real Estate Agent
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36% of data points are verified against official sources. 7 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Pre-License Hours
$377.75
Total Gov Fees
135
Exam Questions
4 hrs
Exam Time
Renewal Cycle
Reciprocity
⚠ Recent Changes in Louisiana
Enroll in an LREC-certified school. Must complete within 6 months. Pass school's final exam.
Estimated time: 2–12 weeks
Schedule via uenroll.identogo.com with service code 27N4TH. Cost: $60.75 in-state.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
Submit via MyLREC Portal with pre-licensing certificate. Pay $90 fee. LREC processes and sends Pearson VUE authorization.
Estimated time: 1–8 weeks processing
Register with Pearson VUE after authorization email. Pay $78 exam fee. Pass both National (56/80 = 70%) and State (~39/55 = 70%) sections.
Estimated time: 1–3 weeks
Secure supervision from a licensed Louisiana broker.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
LREC group policy (~$149) or third-party coverage.
Estimated time: 1–2 days
Submit proof of E&O insurance and sponsoring broker acknowledgment via MyLREC Portal.
Estimated time: 1–2 weeks processing
Must be completed within 180 days of initial license date. Failure results in license suspension.
Estimated time: Within 180 days
| Minimum Age | 18 years old |
| Education | High school diploma or GED |
| Residency | Not required Non-residents may obtain a Louisiana license. |
| Citizenship | US citizen or lawful permanent resident |
| Background Check | Required Fingerprint-based via IdentoGO (Louisiana State Police + FBI). Mandated by Act 553 of 2022. Cost: $60.75 in-state. |
| E&O Insurance | Required Must provide proof of Errors & Omissions insurance before active license issuance. LREC group policy ~$149/year. |
| Sponsoring Broker | Required Must be supervised by a licensed Louisiana broker who signs the application. |
Education Requirements
Mostly verifiedTotal Hours Required
Provider Type
LREC state-certified real estate schools (in-person and online/distance learning via ARELLO-approved delivery)
Required Courses
College/university coursework may receive partial credit (requires transcript + 30-day review). Must pass school's final exam to receive certificate.
Exam Details
VerifiedExam Provider
Total Questions
135
Total Time
240 min
Format
Computer-based, multiple-choice. In-person at Pearson VUE test centers. Transitioned from PSI to Pearson VUE.
Exam Sections
| Section | Questions | Time | Passing |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 80 | 150 min | 70% |
| State (Louisiana) | 55 | 90 min | 70% |
Retake Policy
Unlimited retakes. Must submit new exam eligibility request via MyLREC Portal ($15 re-eligibility fee to LREC + $78 exam fee to Pearson VUE). If one section passed, score valid for 1 year — only retake failed section. Authorization valid 1 year.
5–10 unscored pretest items per section. Test centers: Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Shreveport, Metairie, Hammond, Morgan City, Lafayette, Lake Charles. Score delivered by email immediately. Must receive LREC authorization email before scheduling.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Part A Paid to: LREC | |
Exam Fee (combined, per attempt) Paid to: Pearson VUE ⚠ Conflict: Older PSI-era third-party sources reports $85. PSI-era sources cite $85. Current Pearson VUE documentation and LREC confirm $78 combined / $39 per section. Old $85 figure is outdated. | |
Fingerprinting / Background Check Paid to: IdentoGO | |
E&O Insurance (annual, required) Paid to: RISC or approved E&O provider | |
Total Estimated Government Fees | $377.75 |
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Pre-license courses start at a fraction of the total licensing cost. Study online, at your own pace.
Compare top-rated schools: See our picks for the best real estate schools in Louisiana with pricing, reviews, and pass rates.
Renewal Details
Mostly verifiedRenewal Cycle
CE Hours
Renewal Fee
Deadline & Late Policy
Timely renewal: August 1 – September 30. CE must be completed by December 31. License expires December 31 if not renewed.
First Renewal Notes
Must complete 45-hour post-license education within 180 days of initial licensure. Post-license hours satisfy 8 of the 12 CE hours for initial renewal year. Post-license hours do NOT satisfy mandatory CE topic requirements.
Louisiana is one of the few states with annual (not biennial) renewal. 2026 mandatory CE topic: 'Transparency, Technology, and Trust' for all; 'Broker Leadership & Compliance' for brokers.
Regulatory Board
Interstate Reciprocity
VerifiedHas Reciprocity
Yes
Type: Full Reciprocity (select states)
Reciprocal States
| State | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Alabama (AL) | License for license — no additional exam or education required. |
| Arkansas (AR) | License for license — no additional exam or education required. |
| Colorado (CO) | License for license — no additional exam or education required. |
| Georgia (GA) | License for license — no additional exam or education required. |
| Iowa (IA) | License for license — no additional exam or education required. |
| Mississippi (MS) | License for license — no additional exam or education required. |
| New Mexico (NM) | License for license — no additional exam or education required. |
| Oklahoma (OK) | License for license — no additional exam or education required. |
| Pennsylvania (PA) | License for license — no additional exam or education required. |
Must hold active license in reciprocal state and remain a legal resident there. If you move out, reciprocal status is lost and full LA requirements apply. Broker applicants need 4 years active licensure (2 most recent). Must still complete fingerprint background check.
4–24 weeks from start to active license.
Minimum with intensive course and fast LREC processing. Typical: 8–12 weeks. LREC application processing can take 1 week to 2 months.
2024-08-19
Act 690 (HB 366): Written buyer agreements required for residential transactions. Must include services provided and compensation terms.
2023-11-06
Background check system transitioned from ClearBox ($49) to IdentoGO ($60.75). Statewide fingerprint processing system.
2025-06-11
Act 256 (HB 256): LREC Commissioner terms changed from one 6-year term to two 4-year terms.
2022-01-01
Act 553 (2022): Mandated fingerprint-based criminal history review for all initial license applicants via Louisiana State Police and FBI.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Louisiana.
How this state compares to 48 others for this profession
Timeline
#8 of 49
Salary
#44 of 49
Cost
#39 of 49
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Real Estate Sales Agents (SOC 41-9022)
Entry Level
$24,610
25th percentile
Median
$39,840
-29% vs. national avg ($56,320)Experienced
$63,960
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
1,780 employed in this state
Note: Real estate agent compensation is heavily commission-based. BLS OEWS data reflects base wages reported by employers and may undercount total earnings.
Source: BLS OEWS – Real Estate Sales Agents (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+1.8%
Below AverageNew Jobs
+6,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
42,900
per year (avg.)
359,300 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Real Estate Career Ladder+57% salary growth potential
You are here
Real Estate Agent
$39,840
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam
You are here
Real Estate Agent
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
$39,840
2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam
AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)
$62,710
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Source: LREC — Official Website
Estimated total: 4–24 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: LREC — Official Website
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All data on this page was verified against the following official sources. Last verified: 2026-03-22.
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