Louisiana Real Estate License Reciprocity
How to transfer your real estate license from another state to Louisiana.
What is real estate license reciprocity? One may obtain a real estate license by reciprocity or mutual recognition if the person has a current license in another state. It basically means you would transfer your license without having to take some or all of the state’s pre-licensing requirements. Requirements for an of-state-real estate license vary by state.
Does Louisiana have real estate reciprocity with other states?
Yes. Louisiana has real estate reciprocity with nine (9) other states: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania. Your out-of-state license must be current. You can only obtain the same license type that you currently hold in your resident state.
To maintain reciprocal status, you must remain a legal resident of the reciprocal state where you lived at the time of the issuance of your reciprocal license. Once you move out of the reciprocal state you will no longer be considered a reciprocal licensee and must comply with the Louisiana laws and rules regarding licensure; specifically, the completion of Louisiana continuing education hours, including any mandatory CE, through a Louisiana-approved education provider.
If you have a license in any other (non-reciprocal) state, you would need to take the regular pre-license course: 90-Hr. Louisiana Salesperson Real Estate License Course.
Requirements and steps to get a real estate license by reciprocity in Louisiana:
- You have a current real estate license in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma or Pennsylvania.
- You are a current resident of one of the Louisiana reciprocal states. If you move or have moved out of the reciprocal state, you can no longer apply by reciprocity.
- You do not need to take the pre-license course. You do not need to take national or state portions of the real estate exam.
- Brokers shall have first been licensed for four years with two (2) of the four (4) years occurring immediately preceding the submission date of a Broker License Application. Or brokers may instead apply as a salesperson.
- Order a Certified License History from your current resident state and any other states where you are either currently or have been previously licensed as a real estate salesperson or broker. Certified License History documents shall include the active or inactive status of your license. Please ensure these documents are sent directly to you and not to the LREC.
- Request a certificate of license history (letter of good standing) from your reciprocal state to be sent to you. This document must also include the method of licensure (exam, reciprocity, other, etc.) and what real estate company holds your license.
- Salespersons should submit the Initial Salesperson License Application – Part A and the Initial Salesperson and Broker – Part B (Supervision Affidavit) to the LREC (Lousisana Real Estate Commission). Attach the the Certified License History documents.
- Brokers should submit the Initial Broker License Application – Part A to the LREC. Attach the the Certified License History documents.
- Schedule the required background check and fingerprintingwith IdentiGO.
- Submit proof of and/or payment for your errors and omissions (E&O) insurance. You may purchase your E&O insurance through the LREC group policy or independent insurance vendor.
References for real estate license reciprocity in Lousisana:
Links for quick reference.
- Certified license history from current state: Contact your state licensing agency
- Initial Salesperson and Broker applications (Select required applications)
- Background Check and Fingerprinting (Insructions and links)
- E&O Insurance through LREC or independent insurer
- If you are not licensed in a reciprocal state: Pre-license course