How to Become a Repo Man in Louisiana

If you have a calm disposition, enjoy performing research and want a job that offers lots of variety in its duties, consider working as a repo man in Louisiana. A repo man or recovery agent tracks down cars from owners who've defaulted on their loans and peacefully recovers the vehicle. The only way to get into Louisiana's repossession industry is to combine basic training with on-the-job experience. The state regulates the repossession industry and must approve all working agents.

Things You'll Need

• Repo Agent/Apprentice Application Form
• W-2
• 2 Form FD 258 fingerprint cards

Instructions

1. Sign up for one of the repossession agent courses that the state of Louisiana accepts. Michael Howk teaches a 2-day in-person workshop; call 800-997-7224 to find out information and register.

   The two other workshops Louisiana accepts are correspondence courses: the
   Matrix Education System's Certified Asset Recovery Specialist Certificate (866-996-7472) and the Society of Certified Recovery Specialists' Certified Collateral Recovery Specialist (800-331-5518).

2. Complete your chosen repossession course. Receive a certificate of completion from the company.

3. Call Louisiana repossession companies and ask if they can take you on as an agent. Use the directories at Quick Repo and Repoman.com to find local agencies (see Resources).

4. Work for two years as an apprentice agent. During this time you will perform peaceful vehicle repossession, trace titles and skip trace missing vehicle owners. The Louisiana state government requires agents to work in a paid capacity for at least 1,000 hours per year.

5. Obtain a Repo Agent/Apprentice application from the Office of Financial Institutions (see Resources). Fill out the form, which asks for past employers and residence information. Compile necessary paperwork, which includes a W-2 from your employer and Form FD 258 fingerprint cards, which you can pick up at your local police office. Include your certificate of completion from the training program.

6. Photocopy your application materials and keep a copy for yourself. Send all application materials and the application fee of $400 plus a $45.25 fingerprint processing fee to the Office of Financial Institutions. Once the office reviews your application materials and checks your criminal background, they will issue you a license to practice as a repo agent within Louisiana.

   Office of Financial Instututions
   Post Office Box 94095
   Baton Rouge, LA 70804

References

• Quick Repo.com: Louisiana Laws
• State of Louisiana: Repo Agent/Apprentice Application

Resources

• Quick Repo: Directory
• Repoman.com: Directory
• State of Louisiana: Office of Financial Institutions