What happens when your Louisiana insurance license lapses and how to get it back
Your Louisiana insurance license lapses when you let your renewal lapse, fail to pay renewal fees, or don't complete required continuing education before your expiration date. Once it lapses, you cannot legally sell insurance in Louisiana until you reinstate it. The reinstatement process depends on how long your license has been inactive and whether the Louisiana Department of Insurance has any disciplinary actions against you.
The fastest path is usually to contact the Louisiana Department of Insurance directly — they can tell you in one conversation whether your license can be reinstated when ready or whether you need to retake the licensing exam. Most licenses that lapsed within the last year can be reinstated without retesting, but you will need to pay reinstatement fees and may need to complete recent continuing education hours.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the Louisiana Department of Insurance at 225-342-5423 or through their website to confirm your license status and what reinstatement requires.
- If your license lapsed less than one year ago, you typically pay a reinstatement fee and submit proof of recent continuing education rather than retake the exam.
- If your license has been inactive for more than one year, you will likely need to retake the licensing exam for your specific line of insurance.
- The Department of Insurance processes reinstatement requests within two to four weeks once they receive all required documents and fees.
Check your current license status with the Department of Insurance
Before you begin the reinstatement process, confirm that your license is actually inactive and find out what the Department of Insurance has on file. Call the Louisiana Department of Insurance at 225-342-5423 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time) and provide your license number or full name and date of birth. They will tell you whether your license is lapsed, suspended, or revoked — each status has different reinstatement rules.
You can also check your license status online through the Department of Insurance website by searching their license lookup tool. This search is public and takes about two minutes. Write down the exact status they show, the expiration date, and any notes about disciplinary actions or outstanding fees. This information determines which reinstatement path you take next.
Gather the documents and fees required for reinstatement
The documents you need depend on how long your license has been inactive. If your license lapsed within the past year, you will need: a completed reinstatement process form (available from the Department of Insurance), proof that you have completed the continuing education hours required since your last renewal, and the reinstatement fee. The reinstatement fee is typically $50 to $100 depending on your line of insurance, but call the Department to confirm the exact amount for your license type.
If your license has been inactive for more than one year, the Department will require you to retake the licensing exam for your line of insurance (property and casualty, life and health, or other specialty lines). You will also need to pay both the exam fee and the reinstatement fee. Contact the Department to find out which testing vendor they use and how to schedule your exam. Most vendors allow you to schedule online and test within one to two weeks.
Continuing education hours are tracked by the Department of Insurance. If you are unsure whether you have completed the required hours since your last renewal, ask the Department to send you a transcript of your education record. This takes three to five business days and shows exactly which courses you have completed and which hours you still owe.
Submit your reinstatement process and supporting documents
Mail or hand-deliver your completed reinstatement process, proof of continuing education (if required), and a check or money order for the reinstatement fee to the Louisiana Department of Insurance at 1702 North Third Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. Include a cover letter with your name, license number, and phone number so they can contact you if they have questions. Keep a copy of everything you send for your records.
Some applicants prefer to submit documents in person at the Department's office, which allows you to confirm when ready that everything is complete and correct. If you mail your documents, use certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of delivery. The Department typically acknowledges receipt within three business days.
What to expect during the reinstatement review
Once the Department receives your complete process, they review it for accuracy and verify that you have met all reinstatement requirements. This review typically takes two to four weeks. During this time, they check your continuing education record, confirm that all fees have been paid, and verify that there are no outstanding disciplinary issues or complaints against your license.
If the Department finds any problems — missing continuing education hours, an incomplete process, or a returned check — they will contact you by phone or mail and ask you to fix the issue. Respond to their request within five business days to avoid further delays. Once everything is in order, the Department will issue your reinstated license and mail it to the address on file.
Reactivate your license with your insurance agency or broker
After you receive your reinstated license from the Department of Insurance, contact your insurance agency or broker to notify them that your license is active again. Provide them with your new license number and the reinstatement date. They will update their records and may need to reactivate your access to their systems, commission structure, and client files.
If you do not have a current agency or broker, you will need to find one before you can legally sell insurance. Insurance agents in Louisiana must be sponsored by a licensed agency or broker — you cannot operate independently. Contact agencies in your area or search the Department of Insurance website for a list of licensed agencies that hire agents in your specialty line.
If your license was suspended or revoked
If the Department of Insurance suspended or revoked your license (rather than straightforward letting it lapse), reinstatement is more complex and may not be possible. A suspension is temporary and usually lifts on a specific date set by the Department, after which you can renew normally. A revocation is permanent and typically requires you to petition the Department for reinstatement, which involves a formal hearing and proof that the reason for revocation no longer applies.
Contact the Department of Insurance when ready to understand the difference between your situation and a straightforward lapse. If your license was suspended, ask when the suspension ends and what you need to do to renew once it lifts. If it was revoked, ask what the grounds for revocation were and whether reinstatement is possible under Louisiana law. Some revocations (fraud, criminal conviction) may be permanent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to reinstate a lapsed license?
If your license lapsed less than one year ago and you have completed all continuing education, reinstatement typically takes two to four weeks from the date the Department receives your complete process. If you need to retake the exam, add one to two weeks for exam scheduling and results.
Do I have to retake the licensing exam to reinstate?
Not if your license lapsed less than one year ago. You only need to pay the reinstatement fee and submit proof of continuing education. If your license has been inactive for more than one year, you will need to retake the exam for your line of insurance.
What if I cannot find my license number?
Call the Louisiana Department of Insurance at 225-342-5423 and provide your full name and date of birth. They will look up your license number and current status. You can also search the Department's online license lookup tool on their website.
Can I reinstate my license if I have an outstanding complaint against me?
It depends on the nature of the complaint. If the Department is investigating a complaint, reinstatement may be delayed until the investigation closes. Contact the Department directly to find out whether any complaints or disciplinary actions are pending against your license.
What if my reinstatement process is rejected?
The Department will send you a written notice explaining why your process was rejected and what you need to do to reapply. Common reasons include incomplete applications, unpaid fees, or insufficient continuing education hours. You can resubmit your process once you have corrected the issue.