COVID-19: Important LREC/LREAB Updates

The LREC/LREAB is closely monitoring the COVID-19 virus situation. This page will be continually updated with new information as decisions are made.

April 12, 2021
The LREC/LREAB offices will be fully staffed beginning Monday, April 12. If you do not need to speak with a staff member about your paperwork, we ask that you limit contact by utilizing the drop box located to the right of our main entrance. Visitors will only be allowed in the lobby area and are not permitted in employee offices. Visitors with symptoms of any illness, including but not limited to fever, congestion, nausea, cough, or any other health issue shall not enter the building.

June 5, 2020
Office reopening:
The LREC/LREAB offices are now open to the public. We are operating with a rotating skeleton staff, which may result in longer processing times. If you do not need to speak with a staff member about your paperwork, we ask that you limit contact by utilizing the drop box located to the right of our main entrance. Masks and hand sanitizer will be provided when entering the office. Social distancing of at least six feet is required at all times when visiting the building. Visitors will only be allowed in the lobby area and are not permitted in employee offices. Visitors with symptoms of any illness, including but not limited to fever, congestion, nausea, cough, or any other health issue shall not enter the building.

Renewal Deadline:
Consistent with Governor John Bel Edwards’ proclamation, we will be extending the delinquent renewal deadline to Monday, June 15, 2020. This deadline is subject to change and will be in line with any updates to Governor Edwards’ proclamations. Please remember that you may not practice real estate until your expired license has been renewed.

May 15, 2020
Renewal Deadline:
Consistent with Governor John Bel Edwards’ proclamation, we will be extending the delinquent renewal deadline to Friday, June 5, 2020. This deadline is subject to change and will be in line with any updates to Governor Edwards’ proclamations. Please remember that you may not practice real estate until your expired license has been renewed.

April 30, 2020
Pursuant to Governor Edwards’ April 30, 2020 proclamation, the LREC/LREAB offices remain closed to the public at this time. Our employees remain committed to keeping the operations and functions of the agency going and continue to telework from home. While we are continuing to accept paperwork via mail, fax, email, and our office drop box, please note that our current staffing situation may cause slight delays in processing.

As a reminder, we ask that you reach out with any questions via email rather than leaving voicemails at this time. All of our employees are monitoring their email remotely and this is the fastest way to receive a response to your questions. Please use the emails below for the fastest response:
Licensing questions: licensing@lrec.gov
Education questions: education@lrec.gov
Questions regarding citations, open cases, filing complaints: compliance@lrec.gov
Questions regarding billing: billing@lrec.gov
MyLREC Portal or website issues: it@lrec.gov
General questions or if you are unsure where to send your question: info@lrec.gov

Renewal Deadline:
Consistent with Governor John Bel Edwards’ proclamations, we will be extending the delinquent renewal deadline to May 15, 2020. These deadlines are subject to change and will be in line with any updates to Governor Edwards’ proclamations. Please remember that you may not practice real estate until your expired license has been renewed.

April 6, 2020
Pursuant to Governor Edwards’ April 2, 2020 proclamation, the LREC/LREAB offices remain closed to the public at this time. Our employees remain committed to keeping the operations and functions of the agency going and continue to telework from home.

Consistent with Governor John Bel Edwards’ proclamations, we will be extending the normal March 31 delinquent renewal deadline to April 30, 2020. These deadlines are subject to change and will be in line with any updates to Governor Edwards’ proclamations. Please remember that you may not practice real estate until your expired license has been renewed.

PSI Testing Facility Update:
Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, certain restrictions have been implemented which temporarily suspended testing for real estate and appraiser licensing. Since the real estate and appraisal industries have been deemed essential by applicable state and federal authorities, PSI has offered to resume testing on a limited basis while administering all testing pursuant to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines.

Please note, an applicant’s decision to test at a PSI testing site during this time is strictly voluntary and at the sole discretion of the applicant. LREC/LREAB has granted exam authorizations to any applicant who submitted an application during the pendency of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Exam authorizations are valid for 90 days but an extension of 30 days will be granted to any applicant who decides to test at a future date.

For information on PSI closures and potential opening dates, as well as scheduling requirements and test site information, please visit their COVID-19 informational site.

Education Courses:
Please visit State Reporting to view available online pre-licensing, post-licensing, and continuing education courses. Under the “Course Lookup” you can filter the search to online only.

Showing Homes/Open Houses:
As a regulatory body, the LREC does not dictate business practices of licensees outside of those covered in our laws and rules. The LREC is advising that all licensees comply with recommendations made by Governor Edwards in his recent proclamations and stay at home order and by their local municipal leaders as well as the CDC’s recommendations.

Please note that the information below is only provided for informational purposes and may be updated at any time by the issuing parties:

Louisiana REALTORS Guidance for Stay-at-Home Order

Performing USPAP Compliant Appraisals During COVID-19:
As a regulatory body, the LREAB requires that appraisers comply with USPAP when performing appraisal assignments. We have received numerous phone calls since Governor Edwards’ Stay at Home Order regarding how appraisers should handle interior inspections during this public health emergency. The Appraisal Foundation has released an FAQ page addressing this question and others.

Please note that this information is only provided for informational purposes and may be updated at any time by The Appraisal Foundation.

Updates:
As this is a rapidly changing situation, changes will also be communicated here as well as on Facebook and via email to the address you have on file with the LREC.

March 24, 2020
The LREC takes the health and safety of our stakeholders, communities, and employees very seriously. We are committed to serving the real estate community during this unprecedented time. Pursuant to Governor Edwards’ March 22, 2020 proclamation, the LREC has closed the office to the public at this time. In order to protect our staff from the spread of COVID-19, our employees will be teleworking but remain committed to keeping the operations and functions of the agency going.

March 19, 2020
Due to the spread of COVID-19 all PSI testing centers are currently closed. The LREC will continue to accept new applications at this time but these applications, as well as those already submitted, will remain in a pending status until these testing centers reopen. The LREC will begin issuing exam approval letters once PSI resumes normal operations.

March 17, 2020
In order to protect our staff and members of the public and to comply with Governor John Bel Edwards’ proclamation, our office will be closed to the public until April 13. Our office will remain partially staffed at this time to answer phone calls and process paperwork as it is received. We will continue to accept paperwork and payments through the mail, fax, and email as usual. Visitors to our office will not be allowed in the building but will be able to drop their paperwork in our overnight drop box for processing. As this is a rapidly changing situation, please check this post for updates. Changes will also be communicated on Facebook, via email to the address you have on file with the LREC/LREAB, and posted here. Due to limited staff availability, it may take longer to receive a response to a voicemail. We recommend emailing as a faster alternative. Please visit our staff directory to obtain staff and section email addresses.