Chairman’s Corner – New Background Check and Fingerprinting Rules

It is an honor to have been selected by my fellow members of the Louisiana Real Estate Commission as your chairman for 2023. As chairman, I look forward to continuing the LREC mission to serve and protect the public interest in real estate transactions and other real estate-related activities. At its very core, that mission profoundly compels us as Commissioners to proactively monitor and respond to changes in our industry as well as changes in pertinent laws, rules, and orders.

As such, in my inaugural message as chairman, I have the responsibility to remind you of a significant change to the LREC licensing process that will impact current and future licensees. In accordance with Act 553 (effective as of January 1, 2023) of the 2022 Regular Legislative Session, all initial license applicants will be required to complete a felony criminal history background check prior to receiving their license. The new law, which will be implemented beginning Monday, July 3, also includes a fingerprinting requirement for submission to Louisiana State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

This change to the licensing process will help further the LREC mission by ensuring the protection of consumers in real estate transactions and also provide for a more thorough and precise background check for licensees. For more details on the impending change, check out the latest edition of Boundary Lines.

Sincerely,

Jeff Free, Chairman