Louisiana real estate licensing
Louisiana Real Estate Broker License requirements
A practical, source-checked guide to qualifying, passing the exam, applying, and keeping this license active.
By Gabriel Giner, Editor · Verified · RE License Guide Editorial Desk
- Required education
- Additional 150 classroom hours including Real Estate 202 (30-hour Louisiana law / agency / civil law, no substitution) and Real Estate 203 (30-hour Broker Responsibilities)
- Exam fee
- $81
- Published fees
- $120
- Typical timeline
- Four years of licensed time is the longest step
What to know first
A Louisiana broker license requires substantially more than the salesperson 90 hours. According to the LREC Become Licensed — Broker page, you need four years as an active real estate licensee, with two of the four immediately preceding the submission of your broker license application; a high school diploma or GED; 150 classroom hours or the equivalent in courses specified and approved by LREC; a passing broker examination; IdentoGO fingerprints; and proof of mandatory E&O before the license is issued. Your certified license history must show active/inactive status (a Louisiana history is not required if you were previously or currently licensed in Louisiana). The Pre-licensing Education for Brokers page requires 150 hours, with no substitution for Real Estate 202, the 30-hour course covering Louisiana Real Estate License Law, Commission Rules/Regulations, Law of Agency, and Civil Law pertaining to real estate. The FAQ on that page states that licensed salespersons must complete an additional 150 hours; the salesperson 90 does not count toward the 150. That additional 150 must include a mandatory thirty-hour broker responsibility course or its equivalent (Real Estate 203). Up to 120 out-of-state hours may be credited, but at least 30 must still be the Louisiana-law / agency / civil-law course.
Pearson Handbook 091900 uses the same exam format as for salespersons, with a higher passing score. Broker combined exam LAREBCO1: 135 scored + 10–15 pretest items / 240 minutes / $81 first attempt / $96 repeat. National LAREBNA2: 80 items/150 minutes / $42. State LAREBST3: 55 items/90 minutes / $39. You need a scaled 75 on each portion, not the salesperson 70. The 55-item state outline covers the same civil law and agency topics, and broker candidates who skip topics like redhibition often fail it. IdentoGO fingerprints are required even if you already hold a Louisiana salesperson license (per the FAQ, salespersons upgrading to broker must be fingerprinted again). La. R.S. 37:1443 sets the individual broker initial license at $120 and active broker renewal at $70; the FAQ lists renewal totals of $112 with third-party E&O or $254 with LREC group E&O. An independent broker may practice under an individual license, but a corporation, partnership, or LLC needs its own broker license (Broker Company section). Texas broker SAE courses and Mississippi MREC requirements do not include Louisiana's Real Estate 202 or 203.
For comparison, Texas brokers need additional hours and a multi-year experience point log. Mississippi brokers follow MREC's own requirements. Arkansas brokers take a Commission-developed broker course within 36 months. Louisiana brokers need an additional 150 hours including Real Estate 202 and 203, four years licensed with two immediately preceding, and a scaled 75 on the Pearson exam, and the civil-law course still cannot be substituted.
Your path to the license
Follow these steps in order. Deadlines and affiliation requirements can make a passed exam unusable if they are missed.
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Document four years licensed, two immediately preceding
Get an official license history showing active and inactive periods, no more than 3 months old. Do this before paying for the additional 150 hours.
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Complete additional 150 hours including Real Estate 202 and Real Estate 203
The salesperson 90 hours do not count toward the 150. Real Estate 202 is the 30-hour civil-law course (no substitution). Real Estate 203 is Broker Responsibilities.
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LREC broker authorization, then Pearson at scaled 75
The same 135-item/240-minute combined exam, with a higher passing score. You need new IdentoGO fingerprints even if you are already a Louisiana salesperson.
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E&O, and firm filings if you will sponsor or practice through an entity
Independent brokers practice under their individual license; a company needs its own broker license. Complete the 45-hour post-license course within 180 days. 2026 CE: Transparency, Technology, and Trust plus Broker Leadership & Compliance.
How long the 150-hour course takes
Coursework is usually the longest step you control. Weeks below are classroom or online hours only; add application processing, fingerprint clearance, and exam scheduling from the roadmap above.
- Part-time
- 15 weeksabout 10 hrs/week
- Steady
- 8 weeksabout 20 hrs/week
- Full-time
- 4 weeksabout 40 hrs/week
Overall estimate from our source review: Four years of licensed time is the longest step. After the additional 150 hours, LREC authorization, the Pearson exam, and new IdentoGO fingerprints usually add a few weeks. You then have 180 days to complete the 45-hour post-license course.
Education and eligibility
- Minimum age
- 18 years old
- Identification
- A Social Security number is required. An ITIN is not confirmed as a substitute.
- Residency and identification
- Per the LREC broker page, you must have been licensed as an active real estate licensee for four years, with two of the four years immediately preceding submission of your broker license application. You need an official license history showing active/inactive periods, no older than three months (handbook). Reciprocal and out-of-state applicants face the same 30-hour civil-law requirement; LREC may accept an out-of-state equivalent only for Real Estate 203.
- Qualifying education
- The LREC broker pre-licensing education page requires 150 hours. Per the FAQ, the salesperson 90 does not count; you must complete an additional 150. Chapter 53 §5331 names the broker courses: Real Estate 201 (90-hour basic fundamentals), Real Estate 202 (30-hour Louisiana license law, rules, agency, civil law, ethics; no substitution), and Real Estate 203 (mandatory 30-hour broker responsibilities). LREC may accept an out-of-state equivalent for 203 only. Up to 120 out-of-state hours may be credited, but at least 30 must still be the Louisiana civil-law / agency course. Remaining hours may include a review of principles, designation courses, commercial brokerage, or appraisal. Course final exams are required. Distance courses must be ARELLO- and LREC-approved. Send college transcripts to the Education Division before you file.
- Education or filing deadline
- The same one-year Pearson authorization and one-year score validity apply. Any out-of-state course review must be complete before you file. New brokers must also complete the 45-hour post-license course within 180 days (§1437(1)(c)).
- Character review
- The same LREC character review applies. If you have undisclosed discipline in another state, your broker application will stall in Education review before you can schedule with Pearson. IdentoGO fingerprints are required again when you upgrade.
- Background process
- IdentoGO / LSP-FBI through the LREC link, even if you are already a Louisiana salesperson.
- Experience
- Actively licensed in any state/jurisdiction for at least four years, with two of the four immediately preceding submission of the broker application (LREC broker page and Handbook 091900)
- Broker affiliation
- A Louisiana broker license allows you to qualify a firm and sponsor salespersons. An associate broker is a licensed broker exclusively affiliated with another broker. Independent brokers practice under their individual license; a company (corporation, partnership, LLC) must also be issued a Louisiana real estate license (Broker Company section). E&O is still required. The qualifying broker is the individual designated to represent an entity.
Documents to prepare
- Official license history with active/inactive breakdown (≤3 months old at filing)
- 150-hour LREC certificates including Real Estate 202 and Real Estate 203 (the salesperson 90 hours do not count)
- Pearson broker scores at scaled 75
- New IdentoGO result
- E&O proof
- Company filings if you will practice through an entity
The licensing exam
The broker exam uses the same Pearson 091900 format as the salesperson exam, with a higher passing score: scaled 75 on both the national and state portions. Broker combined exam LAREBCO1: $81/$96, 135 scored + 10–15 pretest items, 240 minutes. National: 80 items/150 min / $42; state: 55 items/90 min / $39. The state outline is the same 55-item September 1, 2021 outline (civil law 13–15, agency 13–15, activities 13–15, licensing 7–9, Commission 4–6). The national broker outline (April 1, 2025, 80 scored) places more weight on practice and contracts/agency than the salesperson version. Out-of-state waivers of the national portion follow the same rule (passed within five years, license not expired), and the state exam is still required. As a broker candidate, do not take the salesperson exam series (scaled 70).
Pearson VUE, after LREC broker authorization (Handbook 091900). The website and phone number are the same as for salespersons. Take the broker series (LAREBCO1 / LAREBNA2 / LAREBST3), not the salesperson series (scaled 70). · Fee: $81
| Part | Questions | Minutes | Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker National (LAREBNA2) | 80 | 150 | 75% |
| Broker Louisiana State (LAREBST3) | 55 | 90 | 75% |
Scoring details from the candidate handbook
- Broker National (LAREBNA2): Scaled 75 (not the salesperson 70); 80 scored + 5 pretest items; 150 minutes; $42 on its own, or part of the $81/$96 combined exam
- Broker Louisiana State (LAREBST3): Scaled 75; 55 scored + 5–10 pretest items; 90 minutes; same 55-item civil-law/agency outline; $39 on its own. Combined exam LAREBCO1: 135 items/240 min / $81 first attempt / $96 repeat
The same rules apply as for salespersons: a one-year authorization, unlimited attempts, and a combined exam fee of $81, then $96 for a repeat. Do not retake a portion you have passed. The broker passing score is a scaled 75. As a broker candidate, do not take LARESCO1.
What to study
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Real Estate 201 / 202 / 203 (named Chapter 53 broker stack)
LREC-certified schools
Real Estate 202 is the 30-hour civil-law course that cannot be substituted. Real Estate 203 is Broker Responsibilities. The salesperson 90 hours do not count toward this 150.
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Handbook 091900 broker table (LAREBCO1, scaled 75)
Pearson VUE / LREC
The same 55-item state exam, with a higher passing score. Do not take LARESCO1.
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Louisiana civil-law outline (still 13–15 items)
LREC / La. Civil Code
Redhibition, lesion beyond moiety, usufruct, community property, and bond for deed are still tested at the broker level.
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Broker record-keeping and disputed-deposit rules
LREC / La. R.S. 37:1449
Records must be kept five years. Per the FAQ, you have 30 days to return an undisputed deposit, and 60 days from the scheduled closing or from learning of a dispute.
Application costs
These are commission or testing-vendor amounts we can cite. School tuition and optional preparation products are private-market prices.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application | $120 |
| Examination | $81 |
| Initial license | $120 |
| Renewal (every year) | $70 |
| Fingerprints / background check | $60.75 |
Under §1443: individual broker initial license $120; corporate/partnership/LLC broker $120; active broker renewal $70; inactive broker renewal $35. Pearson uses the same $81/$96 combined exam fees. IdentoGO Livescan is $60.75 (required again when upgrading). Per the FAQ, renewal totals are: Associate Broker/Broker plus third-party E&O processing = $112; plus LREC group E&O = $254. The application and initialLicense amounts are the same $120 statutory fee, not two separate charges. Branch office: $45. Check MyLREC for current amounts.
Published state fees
$381.75
Application, exam, initial-license, and fingerprint amounts cited above. Excludes school tuition.
| Commission | Louisiana Real Estate Commission (225) 925-1923 La. R.S. 37:1430 et seq. (Louisiana Real Estate License Law), including §1437 (90 salesperson / 150 broker hours; 45-hour post-license; 12-hour annual CE), §1443 (fees), §1461 (Recovery Fund), §1466 (mandatory E&O). LREC Chapter 53 (Real Estate 101 / 201 / 202 / 203). Pearson VUE Louisiana Real Estate Candidate Handbook #091900 (July 2024; exam table rev 01/2026). State outline effective September 1, 2021. |
|---|---|
| Pre-licensing | Additional 150 classroom hours including Real Estate 202 (30-hour Louisiana law / agency / civil law, no substitution) and Real Estate 203 (30-hour Broker Responsibilities) The LREC broker pre-licensing education page requires 150 hours. Per the FAQ, the salesperson 90 does not count; you must complete an additional 150. Chapter 53 §5331 names the broker courses: Real Estate 201 (90-hour basic fundamentals), Real Estate 202 (30-hour Louisiana license law, rules, agency, civil law, ethics; no substitution), and Real Estate 203 (mandatory 30-hour broker responsibilities). LREC may accept an out-of-state equivalent for 203 only. Up to 120 out-of-state hours may be credited, but at least 30 must still be the Louisiana civil-law / agency course. Remaining hours may include a review of principles, designation courses, commercial brokerage, or appraisal. Course final exams are required. Distance courses must be ARELLO- and LREC-approved. Send college transcripts to the Education Division before you file. The same one-year Pearson authorization and one-year score validity apply. Any out-of-state course review must be complete before you file. New brokers must also complete the 45-hour post-license course within 180 days (§1437(1)(c)). |
| Sponsoring broker | A Louisiana broker license allows you to qualify a firm and sponsor salespersons. An associate broker is a licensed broker exclusively affiliated with another broker. Independent brokers practice under their individual license; a company (corporation, partnership, LLC) must also be issued a Louisiana real estate license (Broker Company section). E&O is still required. The qualifying broker is the individual designated to represent an entity. |
| Fingerprints | The same IdentoGO / LSP-FBI process linked from LREC. Per the FAQ, current salespersons upgrading to a broker license shall complete the fingerprint-based criminal history review as part of the initial broker application. Livescan costs $60.75, and results are valid for one year. Do not rely on an older salesperson fingerprint result. |
| CE / renewal | The same annual 12-hour requirement due December 31, plus the 2026 broker-only mandatory course, Broker Leadership & Compliance, in addition to Transparency, Technology, and Trust. Both count toward the 12 hours. Complete the 45-hour post-license course within 180 days of initial broker licensing; it may cover eight CE hours in that year, but never the mandatory topics. Inactive brokers renew at the inactive rate ($35 by statute) without E&O. The same $50 / $200 late periods apply as for salespersons. Per the FAQ, renewal totals are $112 or $254, depending on your E&O option. Licenses expire December 31; after that, you must reapply as a new applicant, with the §1442 one-year window to reuse your education. |
| Recovery fund | The same §1461 Recovery Fund applies as for salespersons. The §1443 fee schedule does not list a separate Recovery Fund charge on the broker initial line (broker initial is $120). E&O remains mandatory. This has nothing to do with NAR dues. |
Mistakes that delay applicants
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Treating salesperson 90 as the 150
Per the FAQ, you need an additional 150 hours, including Real Estate 203 (Broker Responsibilities). Real Estate 202, the civil-law course, still cannot be substituted.
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Expecting the 30-hour civil-law block to be waived because you held a Texas broker license
Up to 120 out-of-state hours may be credited, but at least 30 must still be Louisiana law / agency / civil law. An out-of-state course may count for 203, but never for 202.
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Sitting at scaled 70, or sitting the salesperson series
The broker passing score is 75. The broker series codes are LAREBCO1 / LAREBNA2 / LAREBST3.
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License history without active/inactive dates, or older than three months
Per the handbook, your history must show the active/inactive breakdown and be no older than three months when you apply. You need four years, with two immediately preceding.
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Skipping IdentoGO because you already hold a Louisiana salesperson license
Per the FAQ, you must be fingerprinted again when upgrading. Livescan costs $60.75, and results are valid for one year.
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Practicing as an LLC under the individual license, or renewing on the salesperson CE list without Broker Leadership & Compliance
An entity needs its own broker license. In 2026, brokers take two mandatory courses within the same 12 hours.
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Using a salesperson 55-item outline that skips the broker-level duties you will actually be asked
The outline is the same, but the passing score is higher, and as qualifying broker you will be responsible for keeping five years of records and managing the trust account.
Reciprocity and recognition
| Partner / path | Accepted exam | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| No formal bilateral reciprocity is published for this credential. | ||
You may be able to skip the national portion if you passed an equivalent exam within five years and your license has not expired. You must still take the state portion. Real Estate 202 (the 30-hour civil-law block) is still not waived. An out-of-state course may count as the Real Estate 203 equivalent only if LREC Education accepts it. Check the reciprocal broker checklist on lrec.gov. Your license history must show active/inactive dates and be no more than 3 months old.
Renewal and staying active
The same annual 12-hour requirement due December 31, plus the 2026 broker-only mandatory course, Broker Leadership & Compliance, in addition to Transparency, Technology, and Trust. Both count toward the 12 hours. Complete the 45-hour post-license course within 180 days of initial broker licensing; it may cover eight CE hours in that year, but never the mandatory topics. Inactive brokers renew at the inactive rate ($35 by statute) without E&O.
Late renewal: The same $50 / $200 late periods apply as for salespersons. Per the FAQ, renewal totals are $112 or $254, depending on your E&O option. Licenses expire December 31; after that, you must reapply as a new applicant, with the §1442 one-year window to reuse your education.
If you convert your individual license to a company license, transfer your affiliated salespersons to the entity license. When a qualifying broker is terminated, a new designation is due within five days (§1441).
Applicant checklist
- Four years licensed, two immediately preceding, official history with active/inactive dates ≤3 months old
- Additional 150 hours including Real Estate 202 (no substitution) and Real Estate 203
- LREC broker authorization; Pearson broker series at scaled 75 (80/150 min + 55/90 min)
- New IdentoGO fingerprints; E&O; entity license if practicing through a company
- 45-hour post-license within 180 days; 12-hour CE by December 31 including both 2026 mandatory topics
How Louisiana is different
Texas broker: 270 additional hours and a 4-year experience point system. Mississippi: 150 hours plus MREC experience requirements. Arkansas: 60 hours including a 45-hour Commission broker course. Louisiana: an additional 150 hours (the salesperson 90 does not count), including Real Estate 202 (the 30-hour civil-law block, no substitution) and Real Estate 203 (30-hour Broker Responsibilities); four years licensed with two immediately preceding; a scaled 75 on the Pearson exam; IdentoGO fingerprints even if upgrading; and mandatory E&O.
Louisiana vs neighboring states
| Jurisdiction | License title | Pre-license hours | Exam vendor | Exam questions | Exam fee | Published state fees | Renewal cycle | Min. age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana (this guide) | Broker | 150 | Pearson VUE | 135 | $81 | $381.75 | 1 yr | 18 |
| Arkansas | Broker | 60 | Pearson VUE | 120 | $75 | $195 | 1 yr | 18 |
| Mississippi | Broker | 120 | PSI | 115 | $75 | $275 | 2 yr | 21 |
| Texas | Broker | 900 | Pearson VUE | 145 | $39 | $384 | 2 yr | 18 |
Hours are the pre-license total printed in each guide; states that count credits or named courses show “See guide.” Published state fees add the application, exam, initial-license, and fingerprint amounts the guide can cite — tuition is not included.
Frequently asked questions
- How much experience?
- Per the LREC broker page, you need four years as an active real estate licensee, with two of the four immediately preceding your broker application, documented on an official history showing active and inactive periods (no more than 3 months old).
- Does salesperson 90 count as the 150?
- No. Per the broker pre-licensing FAQ, licensed salespersons must complete an additional 150 hours of approved coursework, including a mandatory thirty-hour broker responsibility course or its equivalent.
- What are the named broker courses?
- Chapter 53: Real Estate 201 (90-hour fundamentals), Real Estate 202 (30-hour Louisiana law / rules / agency / civil law / ethics; no substitution), and Real Estate 203 (mandatory 30-hour Broker Responsibilities; LREC may accept an out-of-state equivalent for 203 only).
- Is the cut still 70?
- No. Brokers need a scaled 75 on each portion. The state exam covers the same 55 civil-law and agency items. Do not take the salesperson exam series.
- Will Texas SAE waive the 30?
- No. Real Estate 202 can never be substituted. Up to 120 out-of-state hours may count toward the 150, but at least 30 must still be the Louisiana civil-law / agency course. An out-of-state course may count for 203 if the Education Division accepts it.
- Do I fingerprint again?
- Yes. Per the FAQ, current salespersons upgrading to broker must complete IdentoGO as part of the initial broker application. Livescan costs $60.75, and results are valid for one year.
- Can I practice as an LLC under my individual broker license?
- No. Per the LREC broker page, an independent broker may conduct real estate activity only through their individual broker license. A company (corporation, partnership, LLC) must also be issued a Louisiana real estate license. See Broker Company under Obtain A License.
- What CE do brokers take in 2026?
- Twelve hours by December 31, including Transparency, Technology, and Trust and the broker-only Broker Leadership & Compliance. Both count toward the 12 hours. A commercial alternate is available for the all-licensee mandatory course. In your first year, post-license hours still do not satisfy the mandatory topic.
Primary Sources
Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.
- LREC Become Licensed — Broker (4 years with 2 immediately preceding; 150 hours; E&O)
- LREC Pre-licensing Education for Brokers (150 hours; no substitution for Real Estate 202; additional 150, salesperson 90 does not count)
- LREC Chapter 53 (Real Estate 201 / 202 / 203)
- Pearson handbook #091900 (broker scaled 75; LAREBCO1 $81/$96)
- La. R.S. 37:1437 / §1443 (150 hours including 30 broker-responsibilities; $120 / $70)
- LREC CE (2026 Broker Leadership & Compliance + Transparency, Technology, and Trust)
Verified 2026-09-02 · Next scheduled review 2026-12-01
Update history
- Rewrote the guide text for readability and added state comparison tables. No requirements, fees, or deadlines changed.
- Requirements, fees, and deadlines checked against the primary sources cited on this page.
Spotted something out of date? Send a correction.