How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Louisiana (2026 Guide)

Your Guide to Getting a Louisiana Real Estate License

Ready to start showing properties and closing deals in the Pelican State? The path to become a real estate agent in Louisiana is very manageable once you break down the requirements.

To earn your legal title as a real estate salesperson, you’ll need to complete 90 hours of LREC-approved coursework, pass the licensing exam, pass a background check, get E&O insurance, and align with a sponsoring broker.

Below, we’ll walk you through the entire process step by step so you know exactly what to expect from start to finish.

We’ll cover:


6 Steps to Get a Real Estate License in Louisiana

The Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC) has a few requirements to become a salesperson. You must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma (or equivalent). If you meet the prerequisites, you can complete the following steps:

STEP 1 | Complete the 90-Hour Real Estate Pre-License Course

  • Louisiana’s 90-hour pre-license education must include real estate principles/practices, Louisiana Real Estate License Law, Commission Rules/Regulations, Law of Agency, and Civil Law pertaining to real estate. A 30-hour portion covering Louisiana-specific law can’t be substituted with out-of-state credit, even if you’re already licensed elsewhere. Your course wraps up with a final exam, which you must pass to get your certificate of completion.

STEP 2 | Submit Initial License Application – Part A

  • Send your course completion certificate to LREC along with the Initial Real Estate Salesperson License Application – Part A and a $90 fee. Once approved, LREC forwards your information to PSI, who will email you an Examination Authorization Form.

STEP 3 | Schedule + Pass the Louisiana Real Estate Exam

  • Bring your Examination Authorization Form to schedule your exam with PSI, who runs testing centers in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Metairie, New Orleans, and Shreveport. The exam fee is $78, and your authorization is only good for one attempt.
  • The exam has 135 questions covering both national and Louisiana-specific content. Louisiana’s civil law system (which differs from the common law used in most other states) trips up many candidates on the state portion, so plan for extra study time there. See our FAQs section to learn more.

STEP 4 | Get a Background Check

  • Start your fingerprint-based criminal history review through IdentoGO. This can be done alongside your coursework and exam scheduling.

STEP 5 |  Find a Sponsoring Broker

  • Louisiana salespersons must be supervised by a licensed broker. Your sponsoring broker will need to sign the Supervision Affidavit that’s part of your final application. Keep reading below for tips on what to look for when picking a brokerage.

STEP 6 |  Submit Your Louisiana Real Estate License Application

  • Once you’ve passed your exam, your background check is clear, and you have E&O insurance and a sponsoring broker’s signature, submit the Initial Real Estate License Application – Part B along with a $45 finalization fee. LREC will then issue your active Louisiana real estate salesperson license.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Real Estate License?

Once you decide to become a real estate agent in Louisiana, you’re probably excited and want to get started immediately.  Before you leave your current position, it’s important to understand how long the process can take.  Here is what an average timeline looks like:

  • 6 to 10 weeks to complete your 90-hour Louisiana pre-licensing course
  • 1 to 2 weeks for LREC to process your Part A application
  • 1 to 2 weeks to get your state real estate exam scheduled
  • 1 to 2 weeks to complete your fingerprint background check
  • 1 to 3 weeks to interview and select a sponsoring broker
  • 1 to 2 weeks for LREC to process your final license application

While this timeline may seem a little daunting, there are a few ways to expedite things. First, taking an online course is the way to go.  Instead of attending scheduled in-person classes, you can learn at your own pace online.  We also highly recommend interviewing brokerages while you are finishing up your real estate course, so you are ready to hang your license with a broker as soon you pass the state exam.  All in all, it’s definitely possible to become a real estate agent in Louisiana in about 10 to 14 weeks.

Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Louisiana

There are several fees involved when working to become a real estate agent in Louisiana…

  • Pre-License Real Estate Course – $200 to $560
  • Initial Application Fee (Part A) – $90
  • State Exam Fee (PSI) – $78
  • Fingerprinting / Background Check (IdentoGO) – $40 to $60
  • License Finalization Fee (Part B) – $45
  • State exam prep courses or materials – $25 to $150 (optional)

** Total Cost to Get Licensed = $453 to $833

Note: this doesn’t include E&O insurance, which is required before your license is issued but varies by provider.

More Costs to Expect as a Brand New Realtor

Getting a license is just the beginning! What many aspiring agents don’t always realize is that there are several other expenses to consider when you become a real estate agent in Louisiana. Keep in mind you are officially opening your own business, so there are always start-up costs involved.

One thing that’s unique to Louisiana: your license renews every year, not every two years like most states. On top of that, you’ll need to complete 45 hours of Post-License Education within 180 days of getting licensed — almost half of your original pre-license course. Up to 8 of those hours can count toward your first annual CE requirement, but not the 4-hour mandatory topic course.

To follow are some of the most common expenses in Louisiana:

  • Errors & Omissions Insurance (required annually) – about $150
  • 45-Hour Post-License Education (due within 180 days of licensure) – $200 to $400
  • Continuing Education (12 hours, due annually, including a 4-hour mandatory topic course) – $100 to $250
  • License Renewal Fee (every year) – $60 to $100
  • National and Local Board of Realtors / Examples:
  • Multiple Listing Service (MLS) – about $150 to $175 quarterly
  • SentriLock or Supra eKey to show homes – $100 to $200 annually
  • Business cards and signage – varies
  • Marketing materials and advertising – varies
  • Brokerage joining fee – $0 to $500 (average is about $250)
  • Monthly Brokerage fee – ranges from $0 to $350 monthly

** Total Cost to Become a Real Estate Agent in Louisiana = $1,566 to $2,896

Find the Best Online Real Estate Schools in Louisiana

To get your real estate license, you’ll have to attend a school that’s certified by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission. There are approved real estate schools throughout the state. Most are online, but there are a few that do in person classes and/or virtual, zoom-style live classes.

Here are a few of the most popular:

While course pricing is an important factor, choosing the right online real estate school comes down to the quality of its curriculum, study tools, and student support. Before enrolling, verify that the provider is fully accredited by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC), as only approved programs count toward your mandatory 90 hours of pre-licensing education.

As you compare LREC-approved schools, consider these key criteria:

  • First-Time Exam Pass Rates: Does the school share its pass rate data? A transparent provider will readily disclose what percentage of its students pass the national and state portions of the exam on their first attempt.
  • Pass Guarantees: Does the school offer a money-back guarantee or cover the fee for your exam retake if you don’t pass on your first attempt?
  • Included Practice Tests: Are comprehensive practice exams, quizzes, and flashcards included in your tuition, or are they sold separately as add-ons?
  • Dedicated Exam Prep: Does the program include targeted exam prep modules, live Q&A webinars, or weekend cram courses to help you lock in difficult Louisiana real estate law and math concepts?

How to Select a Louisiana Real Estate Broker

In Louisiana, you must be supervised by a licensed broker in order to legally help home buyers and sellers. Picking the right brokerage to work with can be key to your success as a newly licensed agent.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN CHOOSING A BROKER >>

While many newly licensed agents are looking for the best commission splits when shopping for brokers, we would highly recommend that you make that #2 or #3 on your list. The most important thing you should look for in a brokerage is how they support brand new real estate agents.

Do they have a formal training program? Will you have at least 3 people you can reach out to if you have questions? Are they available outside traditional business hours? Do they have mentors – and what exactly will the mentors do to assist you? All important things to consider when you are ready to become a real estate agent in Louisiana!

Louisiana Real Estate License: Commonly Asked Questions

Do I need Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance in Louisiana?

Yes. The Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC) mandates that all active real estate salespersons and brokers carry Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance. You can obtain coverage through LREC’s official state group policy or purchase an independent policy that meets state standards.

How long does it take to become a real estate agent in Louisiana?

Most applicants earn their salesperson license in 2 to 3 months. Because Louisiana requires 90 hours of pre-licensing education, dedicated students taking self-paced online courses can finish the coursework in 3 to 6 weeks. Background checks, LREC application processing, and exam scheduling typically add another 2 to 4 weeks.

How difficult is the state real estate exam?

The exam has 135 questions covering both national and Louisiana-specific content. Louisiana uses a civil law system rather than the common law used in most other states, which trips up a lot of candidates on the state portion — it’s worth spending extra study time there, even if you feel confident about the national material.

What score do I need to pass the Louisiana real estate exam?

You must score at least 70% on both the National and State-specific portions of the exam. Administered by Pearson VUE, the test consists of 135 total multiple-choice questions (80 national and 55 state-specific).

What if I fail the real estate exam in Louisiana?

It’s not uncommon for people not to pass the exam on the first try, so don’t be too hard on yourself! Your original Examination Authorization only covers one attempt, so you’ll need to apply for new exam eligibility through the MyLREC Portal and pay the applicable fee to try again.

What are the post-licensing requirements for new Louisiana agents?

During your first license year, LREC requires you to complete 45 hours of post-licensing education within 180 days of initial licensure. This course replaces standard continuing education (CE) for your first year and focuses on practical skills, contracts, and risk management.

Can I get a Louisiana real estate license if I have a felony or misdemeanor on my record?

Having a criminal record doesn’t automatically disqualify you. LREC requires a criminal history review as part of your application and evaluates each situation individually. If you have concerns about your background, we’d recommend contacting LREC directly before investing in a pre-license course.

I have a real estate license in another state. Does Louisiana offer reciprocity?

Louisiana doesn’t offer full reciprocity, but LREC may grant partial credit toward your 90-hour education requirement for real estate courses completed in another licensing jurisdiction. That said, the 30-hour portion covering Louisiana Real Estate License Law, Commission Rules/Regulations, Law of Agency, and Civil Law can never be substituted — everyone has to complete that piece regardless of where they’re currently licensed. Contact LREC directly with your certificate of licensure to see how much credit you might qualify for.

What Can You Expect to Earn as a Louisiana Real Estate Agent?

In Louisiana, real estate agents earn an average annual income of $96,876, according to Indeed data. Because real estate is a commission-based career, your actual take-home pay depends on transaction volume and local property values. High-demand areas like Greater New Orleans (including the Northshore), Baton Rouge, and Lafayette consistently drive some of the strongest sales activity in the state.
How to Estimate Your Target Sales Volume:
To figure out how many transactions you need to reach your income goals, look up the median home price in your target city.
Median Home Price: $260,000
Estimated Commission (2.5%): ~$6,500 gross per transaction
Goal: Hitting the state average of ~$96,800 means closing roughly 15 transactions per year (about 1 to 2 deals per month).