Louisiana Contractor License Requirements
Louisiana licenses contractors through the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC). Commercial licensing covers nine major trade classifications with dozens of specific subclassifications, while Residential, Home Improvement, and Mold Remediation each run on their own separate track.
Contractor Licensing Inc. handles your LSLBC application, exam scheduling, and bonding — start to finish.
Quick Answer
- Commercial projects $50,000+ need a Commercial license ($10,000+ for electrical, mechanical, or plumbing subs).
- New residential construction needs a Residential license — LSLBC's own site states both $75,000 (Types of Licenses page) and $50,000 (Classifications page); confirm the current figure directly with the Board.
- Residential remodeling between $7,500 and $75,000 needs a Home Improvement Registration.
- All roofing work now needs a separate license, regardless of price, since August 2025.
- Commercial licensing covers 9 major classifications and 60+ specific trade subclassifications.
- Louisiana accepts NASCLA scores for the trade exam, but not for the Business and Law exam.
When You Need Each License
Commercial License
Required for commercial projects of $50,000 or more. Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing subcontractors trigger this requirement at just $10,000. Hazardous materials work (asbestos, lead, mold, underground storage tanks) requires licensing at any value over $1.
Residential License
LSLBC's own "Types of Licenses" page states this applies above $75,000 for new construction of a residential structure (up to four dwelling units). Note: LSLBC's separate Classifications page lists $50,000 for the same Residential Construction major classification — confirm the current figure with the Board before relying on either number.
Home Improvement Registration
Covers remodeling, repair, and renovation of existing homes valued over $7,500 but not exceeding $75,000. This is a registration, not a full license — no trade exam required.
Mold Remediation License
Its own major classification, required for remediation projects of $7,500 or more. The qualifying party needs 24 hours of board-approved mold remediation and assessment training.
Louisiana's 9 Commercial License Classifications
LSLBC organizes commercial licensing around major classifications (broad trade categories you can be examined and licensed in) and subclassifications (specific scopes of work within that trade). Expand each one below to see its subclassifications, straight from LSLBC's own classification list.
Class 1Building Construction
Trade Exam
The building, maintenance, repair, raising, leveling, development, or demolition of structures, plus related landscaping and earthwork.
- Driveways, Parking Areas, Asphalt & Concrete
Construction, maintenance, or repair of asphalt/concrete pavements, sidewalks, and driveways.
- Drywall
Installation, maintenance, or repair of gypsum board and finishes (not stud framing).
- Flooring and Decking
Stone, marble, tile, resilient flooring, carpeting, and decking installation.
- Foundations for Buildings, Equipment, or Machinery
Deep and shallow foundations and slabs; includes raising and leveling buildings.
- Insulation for Cold Storage and Buildings
Insulation installation including firestopping, fireproofing, and foam systems.
- Lathing, Plastering, and Stuccoing
Interior and exterior plaster/stucco, including swimming pools.
- Masonry, Brick, Stone
Brick, firebrick, stone, concrete block, and structural tile construction.
- Pile Driving
Driving structural and sheet piles for buildings, bridges, docks, and seawalls.
- Pneumatic Tubes and Conveyors
Installation and repair of pneumatic tube and conveyor systems.
- Rigging, House Moving, Wrecking, and Dismantling
Demolition, rigging, hoisting; allows raising, leveling, and moving buildings.
- Roofing and Sheet Metal, Siding
Roof systems, decks, flashing, general sheet metal, and siding.
- Steel Erection and Installation
Structural/reinforcing steel, metal buildings, and related welding and coating.
- Swimming Pools
In-ground pools, whirlpools, water features, and fountains.
- Water Cooling Towers and Accessories
Construction and repair of water-cooling towers and accessories.
Class 2Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction
Trade Exam
Construction, maintenance, or repair of highways, streets, bridges, and related earthwork and paving.
- Culverts and Drainage Structures
Culverts, wingwalls, catch basins, and other drainage structures.
- Earthwork, Drainage, and Levees
Clearing, grading, excavation, and levee/ditch/canal construction.
- Permanent or Paved Highways and Streets (Asphalt)
Asphalt road, street, and highway construction.
- Permanent or Paved Highways and Streets (Concrete)
Concrete pavement construction for roads and highways.
Class 3Heavy Construction
Trade Exam
Industrial facilities, waterway/flood diversion projects, railroads, and oilfields.
- Dredging
Waterway dredging for navigation, erosion control, and coastal restoration.
- Electrical Transmission Lines
Transmission/distribution lines, poles, towers, and substations (over $10,000).
- Foundations and Pile Driving
Deep and shallow foundations for buildings, bridges, and marine structures.
- Industrial Pipe Work and Insulation
Process piping for industrial, chemical, food, and refinery facilities.
- Oil Field Construction
Drilling rigs, well construction, and associated oilfield equipment/piping.
- Railroads
Railroad tracks, switches, accessories, and depots.
- Wharves, Docks, Harbor Improvements, and Terminals
Shipyards, piers, seawalls, and marine construction.
Class 4Municipal and Public Works Construction
Trade Exam
Water, sewer, gas, and stormwater infrastructure for municipalities, plus power plants and underground electrical conduit.
- Pipe Work (Water Lines)
Distribution mains and pump stations for water utility systems.
Class 5Electrical
Trade Exam
Installation, alteration, or repair of electrical wiring, fixtures, and equipment when the project exceeds $10,000. Also covers low-voltage/fiber work that penetrates walls, ceilings, or floors.
- Electrical Controls, Instrumentation, and Calibration
HVAC controls, smart-house controls, security and fire alarm panels.
- Telecommunications, Low Voltage
All low-voltage electrical applications — no trade exam required, but license still required over $10,000.
Class 6Mechanical
Trade Exam
Hydraulic and pneumatic systems: HVAC, refrigeration, hydronic/steam systems, pressure vessels, plumbing, and gas/process piping, over $10,000.
- Heat, Air Conditioning, Ventilation, Duct Work, and Refrigeration
Installation and repair of A/C, ventilation, refrigeration, and ice rinks.
- Industrial Pipe Work and Insulation
Process piping for industrial and chemical facilities (shared with Heavy Construction).
A Mechanical contractor performing plumbing work over $10,000 must also hold a master plumber license with the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana.
Class 7Plumbing
Credential
Construction, installation, or repair of potable and non-potable water and sewer systems within a building, over $10,000. Plumbing is also a subclassification of Mechanical.
Class 8Hazardous Materials
Trade Exam + Credential
Handling, treatment, abatement, or removal of hazardous/toxic materials regulated by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, required above just $1 in value.
- Asbestos Removal and Abatement
Requires LDEQ asbestos certification.
- Hazardous Waste Treatment or Removal
Cleanup, removal, or storage of LDEQ-defined hazardous materials.
- Lead Based Paint Abatement and Removal
Requires LDEQ approval letter for commercial/industrial or residential lead removal.
- Underground Storage Tanks
Construction, maintenance, and repair of USTs and related components.
Class SSpecialties
Varies
Trade scopes that don't fall under a major classification. "Limited Specialty Services" (any undefined scope over $50,000) requires no exam; the specific specialties below have their own trade exam or credential.
- Auger and Dry Conventional Boring
Pipeline installation via pipe jacking, auger boring, and micro tunneling.
- Carpentry
Rough and finish carpentry and/or millwork.
- Coastal Restoration and Habitat Enhancement
Wetland/coast restoration, terraces, reefs, and revetments.
- Concrete Construction (Excluding Highways, Streets, Bridges)
Parking lots, foundations, walls, slabs, and precast structures.
- Concrete Reinforcement and Post Tensioning
Rebar, wire mesh, and pre/post-tensioning systems.
- Curb, Gutter, Driveways, Sidewalks, Retaining Walls, Patios, Foundations
Concrete curbs, gutters, patios, and retaining walls.
- Glass, Glazing, Store Fronts, Metal Partitions, Panels and Siding
Storefront systems, glazing, and prefabricated siding.
- Horizontal Directional Drilling
Trenchless pipeline installation via directional drilling.
- Industrial Cleaning and Material/Waste Handling
Tank/pipeline cleaning, hydro blasting, and nonhazardous waste removal.
- Insulation
Insulation for industrial, commercial, and residential structures/piping.
- Painting, Coating, and Blasting
Painting of immovable property, coatings, and linings.
- Solar Energy Equipment
Solar PV/thermal system installation, over $10,000; requires a related base classification.
- Tower Construction
Fire, water, and telecommunications tower construction.
- Water Well Drilling / Environmental Wells
Requires Louisiana Department of Natural Resources licensure.
Labor Only & Landscaping
Universal Subclasses
- Labor Only
Available under most major classifications for companies supplying labor only (no materials, no supervision). No trade exam or credential required. Applies once the scope exceeds $50,000 ($10,000 for electrical/mechanical/plumbing, $1 for hazardous materials).
- Landscaping, Grading, and Beautification
Requires Louisiana Department of Agriculture licensure; covers landscaping, irrigation, and finish grading. Available under Building Construction, Highway/Street/Bridge, Heavy Construction, and Municipal/Public Works.
Residential Construction, Roofing & Mold Remediation
Residential Construction Class 9
Construction of a residential structure (up to four dwelling units, not more than three floors) and home improvement contracting on existing residences, above the applicable threshold. Requires a trade exam.
Residential Swimming Pools 9.1
Construction, installation, or repair of pools, whirlpools, hot tubs, and accessories for residential structures — required above $7,500.
Residential Roofing 9.2
Construction, installation, or repair of roofs on residential structures — now required for all roofing work regardless of value, per Act 422 (effective Aug. 1, 2025).
Mold Remediation Class 10
Removal, cleaning, sanitizing, or treatment of mold-contaminated materials, required above $7,500. Requires 24 hours of board-approved training.
Louisiana Accepts the NASCLA Exam
Louisiana accepts NASCLA General Contractor and Electrical Contractor exam scores in place of its own trade exam. This can save you a second exam if you already hold a passing NASCLA score from another state's licensing process.
The NASCLA score only replaces the trade exam. You still need to pass Louisiana's separate Business and Law exam — no state waives that one.
What a Louisiana License Costs
- Application: $100 for one classification, $195 for two
- Each exam (Business and Law, or trade): $120
Louisiana Contractor License Reciprocity
LSLBC has maintained reciprocity agreements with contractor boards in Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina (electrical only), Tennessee, and Utah. Firms must generally be domiciled in the partner state and hold a license there for at least three years with a clean disciplinary record. Approved reciprocity can waive the Louisiana trade exam and the standard 60-day waiting period — but never the Business and Law exam.
Reciprocity partners change over time — one source indicates Mississippi and Louisiana no longer maintain a formal agreement, contradicting older lists. Always confirm the current reciprocity list directly with LSLBC before relying on any specific state.
Louisiana Contractor License FAQ
Do I need a contractor license in Louisiana?
Yes, above certain dollar thresholds: $50,000 for commercial work ($10,000 for electrical/mechanical/plumbing subs), and either $50,000 or $75,000 for new residential construction depending on which LSLBC page you check (see note above).
What are Louisiana's license classifications?
Nine major commercial classifications — Building Construction, Highway/Street/Bridge, Heavy Construction, Municipal/Public Works, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Hazardous Materials, and Specialties — each with multiple subclassifications, plus separate Residential and Mold Remediation classifications.
Did Louisiana's roofing rules change?
Yes — since August 1, 2025, all roofing contractors need a separate LSLBC license regardless of job size.
Does Louisiana accept the NASCLA exam?
Yes, for the trade exam only. The Business and Law exam is still required separately.
Does Louisiana have reciprocity with other states?
With some states, yes — historically Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina (electrical), Tennessee, and Utah. Always confirm the current list with LSLBC since agreements change.
What is the Labor Only classification?
A no-exam subclassification for companies supplying labor only, no materials or supervision, once the job exceeds $50,000 ($10,000 for electrical/mechanical/plumbing, $1 for hazardous materials).
How much does a Louisiana license cost?
$100 for one classification or $195 for two, plus $120 per exam.
Board Contact
Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors
600 North Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
(225) 765-2301
Louisiana Contractor License Bonds
| Bond | Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Contractor License | Varies | Apply Now |
Many Louisiana cities and parishes also require their own local contractor bond.
View all 22 Louisiana local & parish bonds
| Jurisdiction | Trade | Amount | |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Baton Rouge | Electrical Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Baton Rouge | Fence Contractor | $1,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Baton Rouge, Parish of East Baton Rouge | Mechanical Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Central | Contractor's License | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Denham Springs | Contractor License | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Eunice | Electrical Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Gonzales | Contractor License | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Hammond | Electrical Contractor | $1,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Jennings | Contractor License | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Jennings | Electrical Contractor | $10,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Lake Charles | Contractors License | $7,500 | Apply Now |
| City of Pineville | Contractor License | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Sulphur | Contractor License | $15,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Thibodaux | Electrical Contractor | $2,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Thibodaux | Mechanical Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Thibodaux | Plumbing Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Walker | Contractor License | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| City of Westlake | Contractor License | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| Eunice | Plumbing Contractor | Varies | Apply Now |
| Lake Charles | Telecommuications Contractor | Varies | Apply Now |
| Parish of Ascension | Contractor's License | $5,000 | Apply Now |
| Terrebonne Parish | Electrical Contractor | $5,000 | Apply Now |
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