Understanding License Fees & Association Dues
LOUISIANA REALTORS • October 4, 2018
It’s that time of year again - license renewals and membership dues billing! A majority of real estate practitioners do not know the difference between the two and easily confuse payment of one for the other. This resource will explain the difference between the two and eliminate some of the confusion and address some of the frequently asked questions about the process.
LOUISIANA REAL ESTATE LICENSE FEES
We will first start with your real estate license which is issued by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC). There are two (2) common types of licenses: broker license and salesperson license. In order to keep your real estate license ACTIVE, you must renew by December 31 of each year. Prior to renewal, you must complete 12 hours of continuing education (CE) and 4 hours are required in a mandatory topic. For 2018, the mandatory topic is “Real Estate Best Practices” and the course is delivered both online and in the classroom by various education providers.
It is important to note that the education requirements must be completed PRIOR TO renewing or you could face a penalty. Licensees are also required to carry Errors & Omissions (E&O) Insurance.
The LREC provides a group policy provided by Rice Insurance Services. There are also other providers in the market should you have an interest in a different policy. The following graphic gives a quick glance on the fees associated with renewing your Louisiana real estate license. Keep up with LREC related communications using your LREC assigned email. Don’t want to remember another account? No worries, you can forward the email to your main account using the instructions about MyLREC Portal outlined here.
REALTOR® ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP DUES
The other statement you receive comes from your local association of REALTORS. The local Association serve as the point of entry for REALTOR® organization membership, therefore, your local association is responsible for the billing and collecting of membership dues.
The term “Three-way Agreement” refers to the structure of the REALTOR® organization. This agreement was established among the National Association, the state associations, and local boards and associations. The purpose of the structure is to strengthen the REALTOR® organization by providing a framework for effective communication, delivery of goods and services, and enforcement of the REALTORS® Code of Ethics.
The current size of the REALTOR® organization (over one million members at this writing) contributes substantially to the political influence of the National Association, thereby enhancing its effectiveness in lobbying for causes that contribute to the protection of private property rights.
Membership dues are collected annually and each level of the organization has its own dues level. As a REALTOR® member, you are required to complete 2.5 hours of Code of Ethics training every two (2) year or face penalities imposed by your local association. COE courses may or may not have CE credit associated with them. The Code of Ethics
can be taken at your local association and online through the National Association of REALTORS®.
The following graphic gives a quick glance on the fees associated with your annual REALTOR® membership dues at the national, state, and local levels.
WHERE DO MY DUES DOLLARS GO?
Many REALTOR® members have questions about dues and will often ask “where do dues dollars go?” The answer to that is different at each level of the organization and the programs and services provided are many, but will be deemed valuable and beneficial to your business if you know how and where to access and utilize them.
Earlier this Spring, NAR Board of Directors passed the 2019 budget that included the S.M.A.R.T. Budget Initiative. S.M.A.R.T. stands for Strategic Measures Advancing REALTORS® to Tomorrow. Broker/Owner of Coldwell Banker One in Baton Rouge, David McKey and Louisiana REALTORS CEO, Norman Morris talk a little more about the components of the SMART initiatives in this 4-minute informational video.
At the state level, dues remains the same. You will notice the $25 building assessment is no longer being collected. Something added this year is a $20 voluntary contribution to the Louisiana REALTORS Disaster Relief Fund.
More than 1,000 families were assisted in the August 2016 floods with funds and the purpose of the contribution is to be prepared for the next disaster. Those funds also get used to send to areas around the country as disasters occur. This summer, LR’s Executive Committee voted to request that local associations include that as a voluntary contribution on 2019 dues billing statements. All donations are eligible for a special drawing of a one-of-a-kind George Rodrigue print.
The LR Board of Directors
at the Fall Governance Meeting approved the 2019 Program of Work
which is executed with dues dollars and provides for different programs and services that include advocacy efforts at the state level, professional development programs, and other member benefits and services such as the Tech Helpline
and Office Depot
member discounts. As LR moves into it’s 100th year of service, we are excited to continue to be the voice of real estate in Louisiana and a resource for services for REALTOR members.
LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS & MLS
As noted in the Association Membership dues graphic, each local association has dues and they vary from assocation to association. In Louisiana, there are 10 local associations represented in each of the markets around the state. Dues are often separate from charges for Multiple Listing Service (MLS) fees. Each Association and MLS can differ in the tools, services, and programs they provide. It is best to contact your local board Association Executive or staff members that handled membership for specifics on what is offered and which tools and education are available to you.
CONTACT US
We hope this information has been helpful in understanding the difference in the various fees associated with being in the real estate profession. It is also helpful to note the differences between the Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC) and REALTOR Associations in this handy infographic!
For additional questions or information please contact us at 1-800-266-8538.
2025 Extraordinary Legislative Session Wrap-up
Discover how real estate professionals can use technology to enhance client relationships, streamline transactions, and stand out in a digital market.
Louisiana REALTORS® wraps up 2025 and looks forward to 2026! Louisiana REALTORS® gathered in Baton Rouge from October 7–8 for the 2025 Fall Governance Meetings, a dynamic two-day event filled with professional development, strategic planning and member engagement. The day before the conference offered the conclusion to the 2025 LR Leadership Program with participants graduated from the yearlong program after a half-day session. The 2025 graduates include: Torri Byrd, Shawn Carter, Bradley Cook, Stefany Deroche, Mignon Richard Díaz, Alfra Dixon, Thaddeus Dixon, Glen Elliott, Yvonne Graham, Charlotte Johnson, Michelle LaBanca, Slagle McGuffee, Ellen Monroe, Matt Noel, Ros Pack, Tiffany Pellerin, Latonia Riggs, Shannon Rodi Nash, Trish Skellham, Rebecca Slone and Charlotte St. Romain. Additionally, a sold-out, full-day AI-Powered Real Estate Professional Certification course led by industry expert Matthew Rathbun blew away attendees and had them leaving the session with such invigoration. The first official day of the conference held focus on professional development and networking. Tuesday opened with an informative session entitled Professional Liability 101 from Rice Insurance Services Center, offering critical insights into E&O and risk management. RPR's session brought a wealth information to attendees and offered a hands-on learning experience for the tools offered online. Targeted sessions like the Local AE Meeting and the YPN Advisory Council Open Meeting provided space for peer exchange and innovation. The day concluded with a festive Opening Reception sponsored by Louisiana YPN, bringing members together to celebrate and connect. The next day offered collaboration and celebration with Closing the Affordability Gap, presented by the Louisiana Housing Corporation, equipping REALTORS® with tools to better serve clients in today’s market. Regional caucuses followed, allowing members from across Louisiana to discuss local issues and share best practices. The Board of Directors Meeting brought the governance portion of the event to a close with strategic decisions for the year ahead. At the Board Meeting, Chris Brock, Northeast REALTORS® of Louisiana; Trish Leleux, Greater Central LA REALTORS® Association; Synde Devillier, Bayou Board of REALTORS®; Scott McCubbin, Bayou Board of REALTORS®; Amber Morrow, Greater Fort Polk Area REALTORS®; and David Moses, Greater Central LA REALTORS® Association; were elected as 2026 At-Large Directors. The grand finale? A spirited LSU Pregame Fan Experience and the highly anticipated Installation Ceremony, where new leadership was formally welcomed in a celebration of community and commitment. Louisiana REALTORS® looks forward to hosting REALTORS® from around the state at the Winter Leadership Conference, March 3-4, 2026, at the Live! Casino & Hotel in Bossier City. We would like to thank our sponsors Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS® (GBRAR) , Zillow , Dax Roy Appraisals, Supra, American Home Shield, Guard Home Warranty fo r their generous support in helping make this conference happen!
