Key Takeaways
- Louisiana real estate licenses are valid for 1 year and expire on December 31 annually
- Salespersons must complete 12 hours of continuing education (CE) annually for renewal
- At least 4 hours of CE must be LREC-approved "core" topics
- Post-license education of 45 hours is required within first year of licensure for new salespersons
- Late renewal incurs additional fees; licenses expired over 1 year require re-examination
License Maintenance and Renewal
Louisiana real estate licenses require ongoing maintenance through continuing education and timely annual renewal.
License Terms and Fees
| Item | Amount/Duration |
|---|---|
| License term | 1 year |
| Expiration date | December 31 (annually) |
| Renewal fee | $60 (salesperson), $75 (broker) |
| Late renewal penalty | Additional fees apply |
Important: Louisiana is one of the states with annual license renewal (December 31), not biennial.
Continuing Education Requirements
Salesperson CE (12 hours annually)
| Course Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Core courses (LREC-approved topics) | 4 hours minimum |
| Elective courses | 8 hours maximum |
| Total | 12 hours |
Broker CE (12 hours annually)
| Course Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Core courses (including broker supervision) | 4 hours minimum |
| Elective courses | 8 hours maximum |
| Total | 12 hours |
Core Course Topics
LREC mandates core courses cover:
- Louisiana License Law updates
- Agency relationships
- Fair housing
- Ethics
- Broker supervision (for brokers)
Post-License Education
New salespersons must complete 45 hours of post-license education within their first year of licensure:
| Requirement | Hours | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Post-license education | 45 hours | Within 1 year of initial license |
Important: Failure to complete post-license education will result in license suspension.
Renewal Process
- Complete CE before December 31
- Log into LREC online portal
- Submit renewal application
- Pay renewal fee ($60 salesperson, $75 broker)
- Receive renewed license
Tip: LREC sends renewal notices in October/November. Don't wait until the last minute!
Late Renewal and Expired Licenses
Late Renewal (within 1 year of expiration)
If your license expires but you renew within 1 year:
| Time After Expiration | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 0-6 months | Pay renewal + $100 late fee, complete CE |
| 6-12 months | Pay renewal + $200 late fee, complete CE |
Warning: You cannot practice while your license is expired.
Expired More Than 1 Year
If your license has been expired for more than 1 year:
- Must retake the licensing exam
- May need to complete additional education
- Apply as a new applicant
License Status Types
| Status | Meaning | Can Practice? |
|---|---|---|
| Active | Current, affiliated with broker | Yes |
| Inactive | Not affiliated with broker | No |
| Expired | Not renewed | No |
| Suspended | LREC disciplinary action | No |
| Revoked | License permanently cancelled | No |
Inactive Status
A salesperson's license becomes inactive when:
- Not affiliated with a broker
- Voluntarily placed on inactive status
- Failing to complete post-license education
To reactivate, the salesperson must affiliate with a broker and complete any outstanding education requirements.
Address and Status Changes
Licensees must notify LREC within 10 days of:
- Change of business address
- Change of mailing address
- Change of legal name
- Change of sponsoring broker (salespersons)
Changes are made through the LREC online portal.
When do Louisiana real estate licenses expire?
How many hours of continuing education are required annually for Louisiana real estate salespersons?
What is the post-license education requirement for new Louisiana salespersons?