What Louisiana requires to hold a real estate license
Louisiana requires you to pass a state exam, complete pre-licensing education, and work under a broker—there is no way around any of these three steps. You cannot sell real estate on your own; you must be sponsored by a licensed broker who takes responsibility for your work. The Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC) oversees all licensing and enforcement.
Before you sit for the exam, you must complete 12 hours of classroom instruction from a school approved by LREC. This is not optional and cannot be waived based on prior experience. After you pass the exam, you have one year to find a broker and set up your license; if you do not, your passing score expires and you must test again.
Key Takeaways
- You must complete 12 hours of pre-licensing education from an LREC-approved school before you can sit for the state exam.
- The state exam covers Louisiana real estate law, contracts, and federal fair housing rules, and you must score at least 75 percent to pass.
- After passing the exam, you have one year to find a broker willing to sponsor you; without a broker, your license cannot be activated.
- Your broker will charge you fees for sponsorship and may require you to work a certain number of hours or meet sales targets.
- Once licensed, you must complete 6 hours of continuing education every two years to keep your license active.
Completing the 12-hour pre-licensing course
You can take this course online or in a classroom, and it typically takes one to two weeks to finish. Schools approved by LREC offer the course at different times and price points—expect to pay between $150 and $400 for the course itself. The content covers Louisiana real estate law, contract forms, fair housing rules, and basic ethics. You do not need any prior real estate experience to enroll.
When you finish the course, the school will give you a certificate of completion. Keep this certificate; you will need to show it when you register for the state exam. Some schools allow you to take the final exam as part of the course, while others require you to take it separately at a testing center. Either way, the school's certificate and your exam passing score are two separate things.
Passing the Louisiana real estate sales exam
The exam is administered by PSI, a third-party testing company, and you can take it at a testing center in Louisiana or online from home. You must schedule your exam through PSI's website after you have your course completion certificate. The exam costs around $100 to $150, depending on whether you test in person or remotely.
The test has 80 multiple-choice questions and you have two hours to complete it. You need a score of at least 75 percent to pass, which means you can miss about 20 questions. The exam covers Louisiana-specific real estate law (about 40 percent), contracts and transactions (about 35 percent), and federal fair housing and ethics rules (about 25 percent). If you fail, you can retake it, but you must wait at least one day before your next attempt.
Study materials are available through the pre-licensing school you attended, and many schools offer practice exams. Some people study for two to three weeks; others need longer. There is no minimum study time required by the state—only that you pass the exam.
Finding a broker to sponsor your license
After you pass the exam, you must find a real estate brokerage firm willing to sponsor you. A broker is a licensed real estate professional who supervises agents and takes legal responsibility for their transactions. You cannot hold an active license without a broker's sponsorship. Brokers are not required to hire you, and they often have their own standards—some want agents with sales experience, while others will train newcomers.
Start by researching brokerages in your area. Large national firms like RE/MAX, Keller Williams, and Century 21 have offices throughout Louisiana and often hire new agents. Local independent brokerages may also hire new agents, sometimes with more personalized training. When you contact a broker, be prepared to discuss your background, why you want to sell real estate, and what you expect from the job.
Brokers typically charge desk fees (monthly rent for your workspace), transaction fees (a cut of your commission on each sale), or both. Some brokers also require you to meet minimum sales targets or work a certain number of hours per week. These terms vary widely, so compare offers from multiple brokers before you commit. Once you and a broker agree, the broker will submit your sponsorship paperwork to LREC, and your license will be activated within a few business days.
Activating your license with LREC
Your broker handles most of the paperwork to set up your license. You will need to provide your Social Security number, a background check authorization, and proof of your exam passing score. LREC will run a background check as part of the process. If you have felony convictions or certain financial judgments against you, LREC may deny your license, but minor infractions do not automatically disqualify you.
Once LREC approves your sponsorship, your license is active and you can begin showing properties and listing homes. Your broker will give you a copy of your license certificate. You are required to keep your license certificate with you or readily available when you are working. If you change brokers, you must notify LREC within a certain timeframe, and your new broker will submit new sponsorship paperwork.
Continuing education requirements after licensing
Louisiana requires all active real estate agents to complete 6 hours of continuing education every two years. This education must be taken from LREC-approved providers and covers topics like updates to state law, ethics, fair housing, and risk management. You can take these courses online or in person, and they typically cost $50 to $150 per course.
Your continuing education important date is based on your license set up date. If you do not complete the 6 hours by your important date, your license will be suspended. You can renew it by completing the education and paying a renewal fee, but you cannot work as an agent while your license is suspended. Many brokerages track their agents' continuing education important date and remind them when courses are due.
Timeline and costs overview
The entire process from start to active license typically takes four to eight weeks, depending on how quickly you complete the pre-licensing course and find a broker. Here is what you can expect to spend:
| Step | Typical Cost | Typical Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-licensing course | $150–$400 | 1–2 weeks |
| State exam fee | $100–$150 | Same day or within 1 week |
| Finding a broker | $0 | 1–4 weeks |
| License set up | $0 | 3–5 business days |
| First-year broker fees (desk/transaction) | $500–$2,000+ | Ongoing |
Broker fees vary significantly based on the firm and your agreement. Some brokers charge a flat monthly desk fee; others take a percentage of your commission on each transaction. Before you sign with a broker, ask for a written fee schedule and understand exactly what you will owe each month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a real estate agent without a broker?
No. Louisiana law requires every real estate agent to be sponsored by a licensed broker. The broker is responsible for supervising your work and ensuring you follow state law. You cannot hold an active license or conduct real estate transactions without a broker's sponsorship.
What happens if I fail the state exam?
You can retake the exam after waiting at least one day. There is no limit on how many times you can test, but you must pay the exam fee each time. Your pre-licensing course certificate remains valid, so you do not need to retake the course unless your certificate expires (which varies by school).
How long does my passing exam score stay valid?
Your passing score is valid for one year from the date you pass. During that year, you must find a broker and set up your license. If you do not set up within one year, your passing score expires and you must take the exam again.
Do I need a college degree to become a real estate agent in Louisiana?
No. Louisiana does not require a high school diploma or college degree. You only need to complete the 12-hour pre-licensing course and pass the state exam. However, some brokerages may have their own hiring standards that include education or experience requirements.
What is the difference between a real estate agent and a broker?
An agent is licensed to sell real estate but must work under a broker's supervision. A broker is licensed to supervise agents and run a real estate business. To become a broker, you must first be an agent, then complete additional education and pass a broker exam. Most people start as agents.