How to Get Your Real Estate License in Louisiana (2026)
Get your Louisiana real estate license in 4 steps. 90 education hours, pass the 135-question exam (70/73%), and apply with LREC. Free practice test included.
Getting your real estate license in Louisiana requires 90 hours of pre-licensing education, passing scores on the 135-question Louisiana real estate exam, and an application to the Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC). LREC regulates all real estate licensing activity in the state and enforces education, examination, and conduct standards for salespersons and brokers. Louisiana uses separate passing thresholds for each exam section — 56/80 on the national portion and 40/55 on the state portion. The process follows four steps: complete your pre-licensing education, pass the state exam, submit your real estate license application, and activate your license with a sponsoring broker.
Louisiana Real Estate License Requirements at a Glance
Louisiana requires all real estate salesperson candidates to meet these requirements before receiving a license.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 18 years old |
| Education | 90 hours of approved pre-licensing courses |
| Exam | 135 questions — 56/80 national and 40/55 state to pass |
| Exam Fee | ~$75 |
| Background Check | Fingerprint-based criminal history check |
| Regulatory Body | LREC (Louisiana Real Estate Commission) |
Each requirement must be completed in sequence. Your pre-licensing education must be finished before you can register for the real estate exam, and you must pass the exam before submitting your application to LREC.
Step 1 — Complete 90 Hours of Pre-Licensing Education
Louisiana requires 90 hours of approved pre-licensing education from a state-approved school before you can sit for the real estate exam. LREC maintains a list of approved providers offering both classroom and online courses. Coursework covers real estate principles, real estate practice, and Louisiana civil law.
Louisiana’s civil law system, based on the Napoleonic Code, makes state-specific education especially important. Concepts like community property, forced heirship, and usufruct are unique to Louisiana and do not appear in other states’ real estate curricula. Full-time students typically complete the 90-hour requirement in 6-10 weeks. Part-time students working through the material on evenings and weekends should plan for 3-4 months.
Verify your school appears on the LREC-approved list before enrolling. Courses from non-approved providers will not satisfy the real estate license requirement. Upon completing your education, you receive a certificate of completion that you will need for exam registration.
Step 2 — Pass the Louisiana Real Estate Exam
After completing your education requirements, schedule the Louisiana real estate exam through Pearson VUE. Registration is available online at the Pearson VUE website or by phone. Bring two forms of valid identification to the testing center — one must be a government-issued photo ID. The exam is computer-based with results provided immediately upon completion. Note that Louisiana requires separate passing scores for each section.
Louisiana Exam Structure and Topics
The Louisiana real estate exam has two sections with 135 total questions and separate passing requirements for each section. You must score 56/80 (70%) on the national section and 40/55 (73%) on the state section to pass.
National Section (80 Questions)
| Topic | Percentage of Questions |
|---|---|
| Property Ownership | 8% |
| Land Use Controls and Regulations | 5% |
| Valuation and Market Analysis | 7% |
| Financing | 10% |
| General Principles of Agency | 13% |
| Property Disclosure | 6% |
| Contracts | 17% |
| Leasing and Property Management | 3% |
| Transfer of Title | 8% |
| Practice of Real Estate | 13% |
| Real Estate Calculations | 10% |
State Section (55 Questions)
| Topic | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Duties and Powers of the Real Estate Commission | 5 |
| Licensing Requirements | 6 |
| Statutory Requirements Governing Activities of Licensees | 17 |
| Louisiana Civil Law System | 16 |
| Louisiana Law of Agency | 11 |
On the exam, you will see questions that test Louisiana’s civil law system alongside standard national real estate principles. The state section is especially challenging because Louisiana is the only U.S. state operating under a civil law system rather than common law.
How to Pass the Louisiana Real Estate Exam
Passing the Louisiana real estate exam requires focused study on the highest-weighted topics and consistent practice testing.
Master the Louisiana Civil Law System — 16 of 55 state questions. Louisiana’s civil law concepts are unique to this state. Study community property rules, forced heirship provisions, usufruct rights, and how the Napoleonic Code affects property ownership and transfer. No other state tests these concepts on its real estate exam.
Focus on Contracts and Agency — 17% and 13% of national questions. Contracts carries the heaviest weight on the national section, and Agency ranks as the second-highest topic. Study the elements of a valid contract, agency disclosure requirements, and fiduciary duties owed to clients.
Study Statutory Requirements Governing Licensees — 17 state questions. This is the single largest state topic on the Louisiana real estate exam. Know the rules governing licensee conduct, advertising standards, trust account handling, and record-keeping obligations under LREC regulations.
Practice real estate math calculations — 10% of national questions. Commission calculations, property tax prorations, loan-to-value ratios, and financing computations appear on the exam. Math is heavily weighted in Louisiana’s national section. Review our guide on real estate exam terms for key formulas.
Take our free Louisiana practice exam to identify weak areas. Timed practice tests build exam stamina and reveal which topics need more study time. Aim to score above 80% on practice exams before scheduling your real test.
For study techniques, read our guide on how to pass the real estate exam and review our real estate exam tips.
Step 3 — Submit Your License Application to LREC
After passing the exam, submit your license application to the Louisiana Real Estate Commission with the required documents and fees.
- Gather your documents. Collect your Pearson VUE exam score report and your pre-licensing education completion certificate.
- Complete the background check. Submit fingerprints for the required fingerprint-based criminal history check. LREC uses background check results to evaluate applicant eligibility. Criminal history does not automatically disqualify you, but certain convictions may affect your application.
- Submit your application. File through the LREC online portal or by mail. Include the application fee ($90-$150) and all supporting documents.
- Wait for processing. LREC typically processes applications within 2-4 weeks. You will receive notification of your real estate license status through the online portal.
Your real estate license is issued in an inactive status until you affiliate with a sponsoring broker.
Step 4 — Find a Sponsoring Broker and Activate Your License
Your Louisiana real estate license is not active until you affiliate with a licensed broker who will sponsor your license. Louisiana law requires every salesperson to work under the supervision of a licensed broker. The broker holds your real estate license and is responsible for your real estate activities.
Interview at least three brokers before making your decision. Ask about commission split structures (50/50 to 80/20 is typical in Louisiana), training programs, marketing support, office culture, and transaction volume. Some brokerages charge desk fees or technology fees in addition to the commission split. Once you select a broker, they submit the affiliation paperwork to LREC, and your real estate license activates within a few business days. Learn more about what to do after passing the exam for a detailed breakdown of the broker selection process.
How Much Does a Louisiana Real Estate License Cost?
The total cost to get your real estate license in Louisiana ranges from approximately $800 to $1,500, depending on your choice of school and broker.
| Cost Item | Estimated Range |
|---|---|
| Pre-licensing education | $300 - $600 |
| Exam fee | ~$75 |
| License application | $90 - $150 |
| Background check | $30 - $75 |
| E&O insurance | $200 - $500/year |
| MLS/association dues | $500 - $1,000/year |
| Total first year | $800 - $1,500+ |
Pre-licensing education costs are higher in Louisiana due to the 90-hour requirement. Online courses tend to be less expensive than classroom programs. E&O insurance and MLS/association dues are recurring annual costs that your sponsoring broker may partially cover. Check passing scores by state to compare Louisiana’s requirements with other states.
Louisiana-Specific Laws and Recent Changes
Louisiana has several state-specific real estate laws that appear on the licensing exam, most notably its unique civil law system.
Louisiana Civil Law System based on the Napoleonic Code. Louisiana is the only U.S. state operating under a civil law system. Key concepts include community property (property acquired during marriage is owned equally by both spouses), forced heirship (certain heirs cannot be completely disinherited), and usufruct (the right to use and enjoy property owned by another). Sixteen state questions test these civil law principles.
Louisiana Law of Agency. Louisiana’s agency law differs from common law states. Eleven state questions test agency relationship types, disclosure requirements, and the duties owed to clients and customers under Louisiana law.
Statutory requirements governing licensee activities. This is the most heavily tested state topic with 17 questions. LREC regulates advertising standards, trust account management, record-keeping obligations, and supervision responsibilities for brokers and their agents.
LREC commission duties and powers. The Louisiana Real Estate Commission has the authority to issue, suspend, and revoke real estate licenses. Five state questions test LREC’s regulatory authority, complaint investigation process, and disciplinary actions.
This information is for educational purposes. Requirements may change — verify with LREC.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a real estate license in Louisiana?
Getting a real estate license in Louisiana takes 3-5 months for most candidates due to the 90-hour education requirement. Full-time students complete the coursework in 6-10 weeks, while part-time students need 3-4 months. Add 1-2 weeks for exam scheduling and application processing through LREC.
How much does it cost to get a real estate license in Louisiana?
The total cost ranges from $800 to $1,500. Pre-licensing education costs $300-$600, the Pearson VUE exam fee is approximately $75, and the LREC application fee runs $90-$150. First-year costs include E&O insurance and MLS dues.
Can I get a Louisiana real estate license online?
Louisiana allows online completion of the 90-hour pre-licensing education through LREC-approved schools. The Louisiana real estate exam must be taken in person at a Pearson VUE testing center. The real estate license application can be submitted online through the LREC portal.
Does Louisiana have real estate license reciprocity?
Louisiana has reciprocity agreements with some states that allow experienced agents to obtain a Louisiana real estate license through a streamlined process. Contact LREC directly for the most current list of reciprocal states and specific requirements.
How many times can you take the Louisiana real estate exam?
There is no limit on retakes. You must repay the approximately $75 exam fee for each attempt and reschedule through Pearson VUE. If you fail, review your score report to identify weak topic areas before retaking the exam. Use our free national practice exam to strengthen your national section knowledge.
Test Your Knowledge — Free Louisiana Practice Exam
Prepare for the Louisiana real estate exam with our free Louisiana practice exam covering national and state-specific topics including the Louisiana Civil Law System, agency law, and licensee requirements. Our practice questions mirror the format and difficulty of the actual Pearson VUE exam, with detailed explanations for every answer.
