Real Estate License from Rhode Island to Louisiana: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC) ↗
A real estate license transfers from Rhode Island to Louisiana by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC), verify your Rhode Island license, and meet Louisiana's endorsement requirements. Reciprocal applicants take NO Louisiana examination (neither the national nor the state portion) and complete no pre-license course; the license is granted on a license-for-license basis (you may obtain only the same license type held in your resident state). Applicants who do not qualify for reciprocity or the Welcome Home Act endorsement must complete an education and/or examination review — LREC may accept an equivalent out-of-state exam passed within the last five years and may grant partial pre-license education credit..
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Louisiana publishes no agreement covering Rhode Island, but it does evaluate out-of-state licensees individually — so this move runs on Louisiana's endorsement judgment rather than a guarantee. The requirements below are what the Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC) commits to in writing; for anything discretionary (exam waivers, education credit), get the commission's answer in writing before you rely on it.
What changes, Rhode Island → Louisiana
| Rhode Island (current) | Louisiana (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | 45 | 90 |
| Application fee | $165 ($140 to the 'RI General Treasurer' + $25 to the 'Real Estate Recovery Account' (two separate checks/money orders); excludes BCI background-check and E&O insurance costs.) | $90 ($90 total due with the Salesperson License Application (the same form used by reciprocal applicants): $45 initial license fee + $10 Research and Education Fund + $10 Recovery Fund + $25 application processing fee. The fingerprint-based criminal history review is billed separately by the state police / FBI. Reciprocal licenses renew annually.) |
| Processing time | 1–2 weeks (Application states to allow 7-10 business days for processing.) | LREC does not publish a stated processing time for reciprocal applications |
| Licensing authority | Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR), Division of Commercial Licensing - Real Estate Section | Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Louisiana sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Louisiana's current requirements on the Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Be a current legal resident of one of the nine reciprocal states and hold an active license of the same type there (license-for-license).
- Order a Certified License History from your resident state and every other state where you hold or have held a real estate license, showing active/inactive status.
- Maintain legal residency in your reciprocal state and renew the Louisiana reciprocal license annually (renewing the resident-state license does not renew the Louisiana license).
- Provide proof of errors and omissions (E&O) insurance coverage.
- Complete a fingerprint-based criminal history review as directed by LREC.
- Pay the fees ($90 ($90 total due with the Salesperson License Application (the same form used by reciprocal applicants): $45 initial license fee + $10 Research and Education Fund + $10 Recovery Fund + $25 application processing fee. The fingerprint-based criminal history review is billed separately by the state police / FBI. Reciprocal licenses renew annually.)) and allow LREC does not publish a stated processing time for reciprocal applications.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Louisiana accept a Rhode Island real estate license?
A real estate license transfers from Rhode Island to Louisiana by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC), verify your Rhode Island license, and meet Louisiana's endorsement requirements. Reciprocal applicants take NO Louisiana examination (neither the national nor the state portion) and complete no pre-license course; the license is granted on a license-for-license basis (you may obtain only the same license type held in your resident state). Applicants who do not qualify for reciprocity or the Welcome Home Act endorsement must complete an education and/or examination review — LREC may accept an equivalent out-of-state exam passed within the last five years and may grant partial pre-license education credit..
Which exams will I take moving from Rhode Island to Louisiana?
Reciprocal applicants take NO Louisiana examination (neither the national nor the state portion) and complete no pre-license course; the license is granted on a license-for-license basis (you may obtain only the same license type held in your resident state). Applicants who do not qualify for reciprocity or the Welcome Home Act endorsement must complete an education and/or examination review — LREC may accept an equivalent out-of-state exam passed within the last five years and may grant partial pre-license education credit..
What does the move cost?
$90 ($90 total due with the Salesperson License Application (the same form used by reciprocal applicants): $45 initial license fee + $10 Research and Education Fund + $10 Recovery Fund + $25 application processing fee. The fingerprint-based criminal history review is billed separately by the state police / FBI. Reciprocal licenses renew annually.) ($90 total due with the Salesperson License Application (the same form used by reciprocal applicants): $45 initial license fee + $10 Research and Education Fund + $10 Recovery Fund + $25 application processing fee. The fingerprint-based criminal history review is billed separately by the state police / FBI. Reciprocal licenses renew annually.).
Can I keep selling in Rhode Island after I'm licensed in Louisiana?
Yes — real estate licenses stack. Keep the Rhode Island license active (renewals and CE continue separately) and you hold both; many border-market agents do exactly this.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- LREC — Become Licensed: Reciprocal (nine reciprocal states: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania; license-for-license; no course or exam; residency requirement; annual renewal) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- LREC — Previously/Currently Licensed in Another State (reciprocity, Welcome Home Act endorsement, or education/exam review; may accept equivalent out-of-state exam within 5 years; partial education credit) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- LREC — Salesperson Pre-Licensing Education (90-hour salesperson pre-license requirement) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- LREC — Initial Salesperson License Application Part-A (fee schedule: $45 license + $10 Research and Education + $10 Recovery + $25 processing = $90 total) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- RI DBR - Reciprocal Real Estate Salesperson Application (Rev. 11/2023; CT/MA reciprocity, FL mutual recognition, fees) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- RI DBR - Real Estate Salesperson Application (45-hour pre-license education, fees) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- RI DBR - Real Estate section (applications and regulation 230-RICR-30-20-2) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
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