How To Become A Real Estate Agent in Louisiana

1. Complete Pre-License Education

In addition to a high school diploma or its equivalent, to qualify as a real estate agent in Louisiana you need to complete the 90-hour Real Estate 101 course. This course can be taken in a live classroom or Internet-based format, as long as it has been approved by the LREC (Louisiana Real Estate Commission). There are a number of options for these courses, like this one at theceshop.com.

The course topics include:

• Property Ownership
• Valuation and Market Analysis
• Financing
• Agency Principles
• Contracts

2. Pass the Course Exam

Once you’ve completed the course, you will need to submit a certificate of completion, the Salesperson License Application Part A, and the required fee to the Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC). Once they’ve received these items, the LREC will provide you with an account ID that you will use for the remainder of the application process, including the final course exam. 

The exam topics include:

• Licensing Requirements
• State Laws and Rules
• Contracts
• Leasing and Property Management
• Transfer of Title

To pass the course exam, you will need to receive a score of at least 75%.

3. Pass the Louisiana Real Estate Licensing Exam

You can now register to take the Louisiana Real Estate Licensing Exam with the outside agency, PSI. You can register on their website, psiexams.com, by telephone at 888-579-4644, or by mail. There is an $85 examination fee.

Once registered, you will receive email communication from the testing site with instructions to schedule your exam date and to pay the fee.

You will need to bring two (2) forms of ID to the exam center.

Once you’re in the exam site, you will need to place all electronic devices, bulky clothing, and other personal items in a secure location. You will then sit at a computer to take the test.

The exam includes two parts: the national portion has 80 questions you will have 105 minutes to answer, while the state portion has 55 questions for which you will have 75 minutes..

To pass the exam, you will need a score of at least 75%. You will be given your score as soon as you complete the exam.

4. Complete a Background Check

The Louisiana Real Estate Commission requires that you complete a background check before applying for a real estate license. You can order a background check on the Clearbox website – this must be submitted with your application within 180 days. 

Clearbox charges $75 for the background check, which can be paid by credit/debit card or by check.

5. Submit a Real Estate License Application

With your exams and background check done, you can now submit your Louisiana Real Estate License Application through the My LREC Portal. Your exam results and pre-licensing education certificate will be automatically transferred to this site.

For more information on how to submit your application, check out the PSI Louisiana Candidate Bulletin.

6. Provide Proof of E&O Insurance

To get and maintain an active Louisiana real estate license, you will need to obtain E&O (Errors and Omissions) insurance. The LREC website provides more information about how to do this.

7. Choose a Sponsoring Broker

To become a licensed and practicing real estate agent in Louisiana, you need to be associated with a registered brokerage firm or broker. Before submitting your application, you’ll need to have secured this sponsorship. It’s important to choose the right broker, as they’ll play a key role in growing your real estate career.

Consider the following when choosing a broker to work with:

• Their reputation as a broker or brokerage firm
• The types of agents they look for
• If they provide education and training for agents
• If they provide marketing materials and potential leads
• Which systems they use
• The benefits they offer
• What is their commission structure?
• What is the growth potential?

Once you’ve completed all of these steps and passed the exams, you will have your Louisiana Real Estate Agent License. At this point, you might want to consider if you’re interested in becoming a Realtor. Here is what that means:

Real Estate Agent vs Realtor: What’s the difference?

For a real estate agent to become a Realtor, they need to become a member of the National Association of Realtors®. The NAR is an organization for real estate agents and other industry professionals. Members are required to subscribe to standards and a code of ethics set by the association. Membership offers access to market data and transaction management services, and other benefits.

To become a part of this community, these are the steps you need to take:

• Get your state real estate license
• Join your local REALTORS® Association – find one close to you with their “find an association” tool
• Pay the application fee – this varies by association
• Maintain membership dues – to keep your title of REALTOR®, you need to pay an annual fee of $150