The Four Steps to Getting Your Louisiana Real Estate License
To become a real estate agent in Louisiana, you need a license issued by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission. The path has four concrete steps: complete pre-licensing education, pass the state exam, find a sponsoring broker, and register with the commission. Most people finish this process in four to eight weeks, though the timeline depends on how quickly you complete the coursework and schedule your exam.
Louisiana requires you to work under a broker—you cannot hold a license independently. This means you must have a broker lined up before you register, or find one when ready after passing your exam. The broker is the person or company responsible for your conduct and compliance with state law.
Key Takeaways
- You must complete 90 hours of approved pre-licensing coursework before you can sit for the state exam.
- The Louisiana Real Estate Commission exam covers property law, contracts, ethics, and agency relationships specific to Louisiana.
- You cannot hold a license without a sponsoring broker, so research brokers in your area before or when ready after passing your exam.
- Your broker must submit your license process to the Louisiana Real Estate Commission within 30 days of your exam passing.
- The license is valid for two years and requires continuing education to renew.
Complete 90 Hours of Pre-Licensing Education
Louisiana law requires exactly 90 hours of classroom instruction from an approved school before you can take the state exam. You can take this course online or in person—both formats are legal, and the choice depends on your schedule and learning style. The course covers Louisiana real estate law, contracts, property rights, agency relationships, fair housing, and ethical conduct.
Approved schools include community colleges, private real estate schools, and online providers. Search the Louisiana Real Estate Commission website for the current list of approved providers. When you enroll, the school will give you a completion certificate once you finish all 90 hours and pass the school's internal exam. Keep this certificate—you will need it to register for the state exam.
The course typically takes two to four weeks if you study full-time, or six to twelve weeks if you study part-time. There is no waiting period between finishing the course and taking the state exam.
Pass the Louisiana Real Estate Exam
The Louisiana Real Estate Commission contracts with Pearson Vue to administer the exam. You must schedule your test through Pearson Vue's website after you have your completion certificate from your pre-licensing school. The exam costs approximately $100 to $150, though the exact fee may vary.
The exam has 80 multiple-choice questions and you have two hours to complete it. You need a score of at least 75 percent to pass. The test covers Louisiana-specific real estate law, contract law, property rights, agency duties, fair housing rules, and ethical standards. You will receive your score when ready after finishing the exam.
If you do not pass on your first attempt, you can retake the exam. There is no mandatory waiting period between attempts, though you may want to study additional material before scheduling your next test. Each retake requires a new exam fee.
Find a Sponsoring Broker Before or After Passing Your Exam
A sponsoring broker is a licensed broker who agrees to supervise your real estate activities and may support you follow Louisiana law. You cannot hold a license without one. Some people find a broker before taking the exam so they know where they will work; others pass the exam first and then search for a broker. Both approaches are common.
To find a broker, search online for real estate offices in your area, call their main number, and ask to speak with the broker or office manager about sponsorship. Ask about commission splits, training, support for new agents, and any desk fees or other costs. Brokers vary widely in what they offer—some provide extensive training and marketing support, while others offer minimal information. Visit offices in person if possible to get a sense of the culture and resources.
Once you and a broker agree to work together, the broker will handle the next step: submitting your license process to the Louisiana Real Estate Commission. You do not submit the process yourself.
Submit Your License process Through Your Broker
Your sponsoring broker submits your process to the Louisiana Real Estate Commission on your behalf. The broker needs your exam passing score, your pre-licensing completion certificate, and personal information including your Social Security number. The broker must submit the process within 30 days of your exam passing date.
The commission typically processes applications within two to four weeks. You will receive notice by mail or email once your license is issued. Your license is valid for two years from the date of issuance. During those two years, you can legally represent buyers and sellers in real estate transactions in Louisiana.
If your broker does not submit your process within 30 days, your exam score may expire and you will need to retake the exam. Check with your broker to confirm the process has been submitted and ask for a confirmation number.
Understand the Costs Involved
The main expenses are the pre-licensing course, the state exam, and ongoing costs once you are licensed. Pre-licensing courses range from about $200 to $600 depending on the provider and whether you choose online or in-person instruction. The state exam costs $100 to $150.
Once you are licensed, costs depend on your broker. Some brokers charge a monthly desk fee (typically $50 to $300), take a percentage of your commissions, or both. Some charge transaction fees. Ask your broker for a complete breakdown of all costs before you agree to work with them. These costs come out of your commission earnings, so understanding them upfront helps you know how much you need to earn to break even.
You will also need to budget for continuing education. Louisiana requires 12 hours of approved continuing education every two years to renew your license. These courses cost $50 to $200 depending on the provider.
Renew Your License Every Two Years
Your license expires two years after it is issued. To renew, you must complete 12 hours of approved continuing education and pay a renewal fee to the Louisiana Real Estate Commission. The renewal fee is approximately $200 to $250, though this amount may change.
You can take continuing education courses through approved providers—the same schools that offer pre-licensing courses usually offer renewal courses. Many brokers also provide or recommend continuing education options. You must complete the 12 hours before your license expiration date or your license will lapse.
If your license lapses, you will need to retake the full pre-licensing course and exam to get licensed again. Renewing on time is much simpler than starting over.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a high school diploma or college degree to become a realtor in Louisiana?
Louisiana does not require a high school diploma or college degree to become a real estate agent. You must be at least 18 years old, have a valid Social Security number, and pass the pre-licensing course and state exam. No specific educational background is required beyond the 90 hours of real estate instruction.
Can I take the pre-licensing course online?
Yes. Louisiana approves both online and in-person pre-licensing courses. Online courses let you study on your own schedule, though you must complete all 90 hours and pass the school's exam before you can register for the state exam. Check the Louisiana Real Estate Commission website for approved online providers.
What happens if I fail the state exam?
You can retake the exam as many times as needed. There is no mandatory waiting period between attempts. You will need to pay the exam fee each time you retake it. Your pre-licensing completion certificate remains valid, so you do not need to repeat the course.
Can I work as a real estate agent in Louisiana without a broker?
No. Louisiana law requires every licensed agent to work under a sponsoring broker. You cannot hold a license independently or work for yourself. Your broker is responsible for your compliance with state law and ethical standards.
How long does it take to get licensed after I pass the exam?
Once your broker submits your process, the Louisiana Real Estate Commission typically issues your license within two to four weeks. Your broker must submit the process within 30 days of your exam passing date, so the total time from passing the exam to holding a license is usually three to six weeks.