If you’re looking into a career in real estate, then you’re probably looking to earn some decent side income or to follow a new career path.
Being your own boss, working when you want, and having no dress code are just some of the benefits real estate agents in Louisiana get to enjoy, along with the potential of making over 6 figures a year.
If you’re interested in learning how to get a real estate license online in Louisiana then keep reading below.
I’ve detailed everything you need to know about getting a real estate license in Louisiana, including a step-by-step guide about all the paperwork you’ll have to get done with before you can get started.
So let’s get into it.
Types of Real Estate Courses
If you’ve been searching around the web, you may have come across several different real estate courses. However, they all aren’t required to get a license.
The 4 main course types in Louisiana are:
Pre-licensing/Salesperson real estate course
A pre-licensing or salesperson real estate course is the course you’ll need to get your license. It fills you in on all the fundamental information you’ll need to practice real estate. You’ll only have to take this course once if you pass the first time around.
Post licensing real estate course
This course is required after you’ve received your real estate license. It must be completed within 180 days of receiving your salesperson’s license. This course includes intermediate-level real estate educational lessons amounting to 45 learning hours.
Broker real estate course
A broker real estate course is an optional real estate course if you’re looking to establish your own broker agency. Most real estate agents never complete this stage, though, and if they do, it’s often when they’re at the latter stages of their career.
Continuing Education (CE) course
Continuing education courses are learning modules you’ll have to complete repeatedly every year to renew your license. This course is intended to get you up to speed with all the latest developments related to any legal/regulatory changes that may have occurred.
Real Estate License Requirements in Louisiana
To obtain a salesperson license, each applicant must satisfy the following requirements:
- You must be at least 18 years of age
- You have a high school diploma or GED
- You must satisfy all the requirements of the background check
- You must obtain a real estate pre-licensing course completion certificate
- You must pass the real estate salesperson licensing examination
- You must be sponsored by a real estate broker
A Step by Step Guide into the Real Estate Licensing Process in Louisiana
Here’s a summary of all the steps you’ll need to do:
Step 1: Take and pass an online real estate course
Step 2: Complete a background check
Step 3: Pass the final Louisiana real estate exam
Step 4: Fill out and submit your application
Step 5: Select a broker for sponsorship
Step 6: Complete a post-licensing course
Let’s take a deeper look at each step below.
Step 1: Take and pass a pre-licensing real estate course
You’ll have to register for a pre-licensing real estate course and complete the required 90 hours of education to get started with the licensing process.
After you’ve completed the course, you’ll have to pass the final test, obtaining at least 75% to get your course completion certificate.
If you’re looking for the best pre-licensing course in Louisiana, Colibri Real Estate is an online real estate school with over a decade of experience in providing online courses across the country.
They’ve designed an easy, convenient, and trusted online course that provides you 24/7 access to your lessons that you can start and stop whenever you want, making it perfect for any busy schedule.
Step 2: Complete a background check
After you’ve received your course completion certificate, you’ll have to submit a background check, along with your fingerprints to ClearBox. The results expire within 180 days, so you’re better off completing this step after you’ve passed your course.
To apply, click on the link here. The background check will cost around $75, and if required, you may be contacted to provide further information.
Felons may be eligible to receive a real estate license, but the decision is up to the sole discretion of the Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC). They may request you to attend a hearing. Felons may apply here.
Step 3: Pass the final Kentucky real estate exam
After you’re done with the formalities, you’ll need to pass the final Kentucky real estate exam that’s conducted by the PSI at a local examination center near you. The test will consist of 135 questions. You’ll get 3 hours to complete it all.
To apply, and for more information regarding testing centers, visit the link here.
Step 4: Fill out and submit your application
When all that’s done, you’ll have to submit your application, along with all the required documents to the Louisiana Real Estate Commission.
The application will cost around $90, including all the required fees.
You can download the form here.
You can mail the fees and filled application form to the following address:
Louisiana Real Estate Commission 9071
Interline Avenue Baton Rouge
LA 70809
Step 5: Select a broker for sponsorship
Once your application has been processed, you’ll need to register with a broker to obtain an active license before you start organizing condo visits.
You should, however, take this slow and look at all the available broker agencies in your area.
When selecting a broker to obtain sponsorship, you should inspect their reputation and ask about their corporate culture. Some brokers may treat their agents as employees, while others may be more laissez-faire with regard to management.
Nevertheless, picking the right broker can set you up for success in the real estate industry.
After you’ve selected a broker, you’ll need to fill this form and forward it to the LREC.
Step 6: Complete a post-licensing course
Sadly, even after all that, you’ll still need to complete a 45-hour post-license course within 180 days of obtaining your license. Failure to complete this may result in license suspension, so you’d want to get this done ASAP.
Real Estate License in Louisiana FAQs
How long are real estate courses in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, the pre and the post-licensing course is 90 and 45 hours long respectively. However, there aren’t any timers included in online courses, meaning you may complete this course faster or slower depending on how quickly you learn.
Should I take a real estate course online or in person?
While in-person courses may be a bit more appealing to some, seeing that you get to interact with your instructors and classmates, it’s pretty difficult to keep up with if you’re managing a day job or a busy schedule.
Online courses, however, offer a convenient alternative by allowing you to get up to speed with everything you need to know to pass the test from the comfort of your own home.
Additionally, online courses include extra interactive material that can make learning more enjoyable overall, especially when compared to an old-fashioned textbook.
And if you’re interested in getting the instant feedback you’d receive in a classroom, online schools, such as Colibri Real Estate, offer online live classroom lectures. This allows you to interact with your instructors in real-time.
How much does a pre-licensing course cost in Louisiana?
The price of a pre-licensing course will depend on the learning method and school you choose.
In-person courses are generally more expensive costing upwards of $600. Online courses are normally under $400 with multiple package options and frequent discounts to suit any budget.
Conclusion
While applying for a real estate license can be confusing at the start, the steps listed above give you all you need to know to get started on your licensing journey.
Additionally, the online courses referenced above make the whole process much simpler by not having to worry about timetables.
So what are you waiting for? Follow the steps today to get one step closer to becoming a real estate professional!
Good luck!