Real Estate Agent Permit Requirements in Shreveport, LA

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Louisiana Department of Revenue — Sales Tax Registration

   Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in Louisiana. The Louisiana state sales tax rate is 5%. Sellers must apply for a sales tax certificate with the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Louisiana also has parish- and municipal-level sales taxes collected separately by local collectors, so the combined rate varies by parish and you must register with each applicable local collector in addition to the state.

   Official government source

   No registration fee is published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue.·Not published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue; the '1-5 business days' figure has no official source.

   No registration fee is published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue.

   Not published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue; the '1-5 business days' figure has no official source.

2. Louisiana Real Estate Errors & Omissions (E&O) Insurance — required for licensure

   Errors and omissions coverage is mandatory for Louisiana real estate licensees, not merely a brokerage preference. The Louisiana Real Estate Commission's own salesperson pre-licensing checklist places E&O at Step 6: after passing both portions of the exam you submit the Initial Real Estate License Application - Part B together with proof of, or payment for, E&O insurance. You may buy coverage through the LREC group policy at the prorated premium shown in the Part B chart, or buy from an independent insurer and file an Independent Errors and Omissions form plus the declarations page of that policy. The license does not issue until this is satisfied. E&O covers claims arising from mistakes or negligence in a transaction; it is distinct from the general liability policy a brokerage carries.

   Official government source

   Not a fixed published amount. Group-policy premiums are prorated by the month you enter the program under the chart in the Initial Real Estate License Application - Part B; independent policies are priced by the private insurer. The '$300-$1,000/year' band has no LREC source — get the current group rate from LREC (225-925-1923) or a quote from your own carrier.·Coverage must be in place before the license is issued, not after. LREC does not publish a turnaround for Part B; do not pay the E&O fee with the Part A application, which is submitted before the exam.

   Not a fixed published amount. Group-policy premiums are prorated by the month you enter the program under the chart in the Initial Real Estate License Application - Part B; independent policies are priced by the private insurer. The '$300-$1,000/year' band has no LREC source — get the current group rate from LREC (225-925-1923) or a quote from your own carrier.

   Coverage must be in place before the license is issued, not after. LREC does not publish a turnaround for Part B; do not pay the E&O fee with the Part A application, which is submitted before the exam.

1. Louisiana Real Estate Commission — Salesperson or Broker License

   Real estate salespersons and brokers in Louisiana are licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission (9071 Interline Ave., Baton Rouge; 225-925-1923) — a statewide license, not a Shreveport or Caddo Parish one. A salesperson must be at least 18, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, complete the 90-hour Real Estate 101 pre-licensing course, submit the Initial Salesperson License Application - Part A with its fee, complete fingerprinting and a background check through IdentoGO, pass both the state and national portions of the Pearson VUE exam, and then submit Part B with proof of errors and omissions insurance and a sponsoring broker. A license may be issued in inactive status if you have no sponsoring broker yet. Brokers require additional education and experience.

   Official government source

   Not published on LREC's public pages. The Part A application fee, the Pearson VUE exam fee billed by the test vendor, the IdentoGO fingerprinting charge and the E&O premium are all separate, so the '$90-$150 salesperson / $150-$250 broker' figures are unverified. Confirm current amounts with LREC (225-925-1923).·Not published. The 90-hour course, Pearson VUE exam scheduling and the IdentoGO background check each add time, and the license does not issue until Part B and proof of E&O are filed; the '4-8 weeks' figure has no official source.

   Not published on LREC's public pages. The Part A application fee, the Pearson VUE exam fee billed by the test vendor, the IdentoGO fingerprinting charge and the E&O premium are all separate, so the '$90-$150 salesperson / $150-$250 broker' figures are unverified. Confirm current amounts with LREC (225-925-1923).

   Not published. The 90-hour course, Pearson VUE exam scheduling and the IdentoGO background check each add time, and the license does not issue until Part B and proof of E&O are filed; the '4-8 weeks' figure has no official source.

2. City of Shreveport Revenue Division — Occupational License

   Shreveport requires an Occupational License for all businesses operating within city limits, administered by the Department of Finance (318-673-5500). A Certificate of Occupancy must be obtained first. The license must be renewed annually and displayed at your place of business.

   Official government source

   Varies by business type: professionals pay 1/10 of 1% of gross receipts; retailers $50-$6,200/year; wholesalers $50-$7,500/year. A new business pays $50 if it opens in the first half of the calendar year, or $25 from July 1, pro-rated on projected gross sales.·Not published. Shreveport issues a temporary license covering the first 30 days of business, after which you complete an update for the permanent license. Annual tax notices are mailed in December or January and are due before March 1.

   Varies by business type: professionals pay 1/10 of 1% of gross receipts; retailers $50-$6,200/year; wholesalers $50-$7,500/year. A new business pays $50 if it opens in the first half of the calendar year, or $25 from July 1, pro-rated on projected gross sales.

   Not published. Shreveport issues a temporary license covering the first 30 days of business, after which you complete an update for the permanent license. Annual tax notices are mailed in December or January and are due before March 1.

Official Sources

• Louisiana Real Estate Commission — Salesperson or Broker License
• City of Shreveport Revenue Division

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