Real estate license requirements in Louisiana
Louisiana requires 90 hours of pre-licensing education (including a 30-hour core of license law, rules, agency law, and civil law that can’t be substituted, even with out-of-state coursework) and maintains one of the longer reciprocity lists in the country — nine named states.
Education
The Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC) requires 90 total hours. Thirty of those hours cover license law, commission rules, agency law, and civil law — and LREC does not allow substituting out-of-state coursework for that core, even if you’ve already covered similar material elsewhere.
| Coursework | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Core curriculum (License Law, Rules, Agency Law, Civil Law) | 30 | No substitution allowed, even from out-of-state coursework |
| Remaining approved pre-licensing coursework | 60 | From an LREC-approved provider |
What Louisiana calls your first license
Louisiana’s entry-level license is a “Salesperson” license — the common term used across most states. The one real quirk to plan around is the non-substitutable 30-hour core: even if you’re licensed elsewhere and have taken similar coursework, Louisiana still requires you to complete its own License Law/Rules/Agency Law/Civil Law block.
The licensing exam
Louisiana contracts with Pearson VUE (it moved off PSI). You can sit for a combined exam or take the national and state portions separately.
| Option | Items | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Combined (state + national) | 135 scored items (80 national + 55 state), 240 minutes | $81 first attempt / $96 repeat |
| National only | 80 items, 150 minutes | $42 |
| State only | 55 items, 90 minutes | $39 |
Passing score is a scaled 70 on each portion.
Louisiana uses IdentoGO (Livescan, code 27N4TH). The fee ranges from $55.75 for a mail-in card, to $60.75 for in-state digital fingerprinting, up to $95.74 if you're fingerprinted out of state — a real gap worth planning for before you schedule.
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Application & license fee | Not published on lrec.gov — non-primary sources estimate around $90, but this isn’t independently confirmed | Louisiana Real Estate Commission — confirm the current figure directly with LREC |
| Exam fee | $81 combined (first attempt) | Pearson VUE |
| Background check | $55.75–$95.74 depending on method | IdentoGO |
Louisiana’s own fee schedule doesn’t post a dollar figure for the initial application/license fee — we’re flagging that gap rather than guessing. Contact LREC directly for the current number before you budget. (For reference, renewal fees are published: $219 with LREC Group E&O coverage, or $77 plus a $7 processing fee with third-party E&O.)
How to apply, step by step
Louisiana’s process is standard, but plan for the 30-hour core coursework even if you’re coming from another state.
Including the required 30-hour License Law/Rules/Agency Law/Civil Law core — not substitutable.
Livescan code 27N4TH; fee varies $55.75–$95.74 depending on method and location.
Combined state + national sitting, or split into two sessions.
Confirm the current application fee directly with the Commission.
Required to activate your Salesperson license.
Due within 180 days of initial licensure.
After you’re licensed: staying current
Louisiana requires a one-time 45-hour post-licensing course, due within 180 days of your initial licensure — distinct from the standard 12-hour annual continuing education requirement. If you move your license to inactive status within those first 180 days, you’re exempt from this requirement.
| Requirement | Hours | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Post-licensing education | 45 hours | Within 180 days of initial licensure |
Reciprocity
Louisiana maintains license-for-license reciprocity agreements with nine states — a notably longer list than most. These agreements are tied to remaining a resident of the reciprocal state.
| Reciprocal states |
|---|
| Alabama |
| Arkansas |
| Colorado |
| Georgia |
| Iowa |
| Mississippi |
| New Mexico |
| Oklahoma |
| Pennsylvania |
A separate exam-waiver route also exists if you passed the national portion of a real estate exam elsewhere within the last 5 years.
Common questions
Does Louisiana have reciprocity with my state?
Only if you hold an active license in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, or Pennsylvania — and you must remain a resident of that state for the agreement to apply.
What's the total cost to get licensed in Louisiana?
The exam ($81 combined) and background check ($55.75–$95.74) are published, but Louisiana doesn’t publish a clear application/license fee figure — confirm that number directly with LREC before you budget.
Do I need to redo the core law coursework if I'm licensed elsewhere?
Yes. Louisiana’s 30-hour License Law/Rules/Agency Law/Civil Law core cannot be substituted, even with equivalent out-of-state coursework.
What happens if I don't finish post-licensing within 180 days?
The 45-hour post-licensing course is due within 180 days of your initial licensure. You’re only exempt if you move to inactive status within that window — otherwise, check with LREC about the consequences of missing the deadline.
Why does the background check fee vary so much?
IdentoGO charges different rates depending on method: $55.75 for a mail-in card, $60.75 for in-state digital fingerprinting, and $95.74 if you’re fingerprinted out of state.
Next step
Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC) — https://lrec.gov
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