Licensing Guides
State Contractor License: How to Become a General Contractor in Louisiana
Contractor, LA
Table of Contents
Why Do You Need a Contractor License in Louisiana?
How Can You Get a Contractor License in Louisiana?
Types of Contractor Licenses in Louisiana
What Are the Requirements of a Louisiana Contractor License?
How Long Does It Take to Get a Contractor License in Louisiana?
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Contractor License in Louisiana?
Louisiana Contractor License Training Programs and Schools
Does Louisiana Reciprocate Contractor Licenses?
Do I Need to Renew my Contractor License in Louisiana?
Are There Any Penalties for Contracting Without a License in Louisiana?
We all need a place to live and work, and those buildings require upkeep and repair. They’re often the biggest investments we make in our lives, and keeping them in good condition is essential. We count on professionals to know how to fix damage to or wear and tear on our homes and businesses.General contractors are typically the experts we rely on to help us with these repairs, and we need these men and women to know what they’re doing.
Many states require contractors to be licensed. Others simply require solid insurance to back up the essential work they perform. There are 520,900 construction managers and 1,599,800 construction laborers and helpers nationwide, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Louisiana employs 4,180 managers and 24,760 laborers and helpers. The national number for managers is projected to grow 9% from 2023 to 2033 and 8% for laborers and helpers. In Louisiana, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, the projected growth rate for laborers is higher than the national number at 13%; and for managers, it’s even higher at 16%. If you’re thinking about becoming a contractor or you want a job in the field, you need to know the licensing requirements in your state or local jurisdiction. This guide will help you determine what you need before you get started.
Why Do You Need a Contractor License in Louisiana?
A state contractor license is necessary to perform most work legally in Louisiana, whether that be initial construction, service, or replacement to properties. Specifically, you need a Commercial license to do commercial projects valuing $50,000 or more, a Residential license to perform residential work costing $75,000 or more, or a Home Improvement license to perform residential home improvement projects valued higher than $7,500 but less than $75,000. Louisiana also requires a Mold Remediation license for any contractor who performs water remediation work of any value.
Values applied to all licensing include labor and materials, and the law requires that you be a licensed contractor or be working under a licensed contractor to do any projects of that value or more. The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC), located in Baton Rouge, issues the licenses.
The bottom line is that any contractor performing residential work over $7,500 including labor and materials needs to be licensed, while any contractor performing commercial work exceeding $50,000 including labor and materials needs to be licensed.
How Can You Get a Contractor License in Louisiana?
There is a process for getting your license. It is all spelled out on the state website. The process for each classification is roughly the same, with some variations.
You must be at least 18 years of age. You must have either a Social Security number or an individual taxpayer identification number. If applying for a license as a business entity, the business owner must provide the full legal name of the business and the Federal Tax ID.
Aside from the Mold Remediation license, there are no experience requirements for becoming a licensed contractor in Louisiana. Mold remediators must demonstrate at least 24 hours of mold remediation-related training and four hours of training in unfair trade practices and consumer protection law.
Additionally, depending on the type of contractor license, you’ll need to submit a financial statement, proof of insurance, designate a qualifying party, and pass a trade exam and/or the Business and Law exam. Contractors who perform plumbing or electrical work need to demonstrate additional training along with passing the trade exam.
Types of Contractor Licenses in Louisiana
There are three main classifications for General Contractors in Louisiana and a Mold Remediation license.
The Commercial Contractor license allows the holder to legally perform commercial contracting work valuing $50,000 or more.
The Residential Contractor license allows the holder to legally perform residential contracting work valuing $75,000 or more.
The Home Improvement Contractor license allows the holder to legally perform residential home improvement projects valued higher than $7,500 but less than $75,000.
The Mold Remediation Contractor license allows the holder to legally perform water remediation work of any value.
Getting a general contractor license
There are two classifications that would suffice for a general contractor in Louisiana. They are the Commercial Contractor license and Residential Contractor license. To recap, the Commercial license is needed to legally perform commercial work valuing $50,000 or more, and the Residential license is needed for residential construction projects valuing $75,000 or more.
Louisiana also offers a Home Improvement Contractor registration, which is required for residential contracting work valuing between $7,500 and $75,000, excluding work on swimming pools.
APPLY FOR LICENSE: The first step involves applying for licensure. The LSLBC includes an online portal where you begin the application process for all license types.
Note: You’re allowed to close out and return to the application at any time before submitting. The LSLBC encourages applicants to “keep moving” through the application if they don’t have all available documentation ready.
PAY APPLICATION PROCESSING FEE: The initial processing fee for the Commercial or Residential license is $160, and $95 for each additional classification. You can submit these payments online when you submit the license application.
TAKE LICENSING EXAM: The qualifying party must take the exam for each license.
After submitting a license application, the qualifying party will receive an exam approval notification and details for registering for the required exams. Contractors exams can then be scheduled at one of 11 approved testing centers via the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors licensing portal.
Commercial and Residential licenses require passing the Business and Law exam and any applicable trade exams, such as plumbing or electrical. The Business and Law exam is open book. There is no examination for the Home Improvement registration.
Applicants will receive exam scores via email through the licensing portal.
COMPLETE CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK: Instead of a traditional background check, the LSLBC charges a $60 fee to perform a “Background Financial Investigation” for all applicants. You must pay the fee with the application processing fee.
PROVIDE PROOF OF INSURANCE: Both the Residential and Home Improvement licenses require proof of general liability insurance with a minimum amount of $100,000 and proof of workers’ compensation insurance. There are no insurance requirements for the Commercial license.
Additionally, the Commercial and Residential licenses require a financial statement showing a minimum of $10,000 net worth (must be current within 12 months of application).
Getting a residential or specialty license
Louisiana also offers multiple specialty license classifications, including Building Construction, Heavy Construction, Electrical, and Roofing. A specialty license is required in order to bid on jobs that involve specialty classifications. To get one of these specialty licenses, you typically (not always) need to pass a trade-specific exam along with the Business and Law Exam.
The LSLBC includes a full list of specialty classifications and their required examinations on its website.
You can also consult our guides to getting your HVAC license, plumbing license, or electrical license in Louisiana.
What Are the Requirements of a Louisiana Contractor License?
The requirements for licensure as a contractor in Louisiana are all intended to demonstrate that an individual who will be serving the public is properly prepared to do the job right. To that end, there are age, financial, and other prerequisites.
You must be at least 18 years of age.
You must have either a Social Security number or an individual taxpayer identification number.
Apply for a Residential or Commercial Contractor license, or register as a Home Improvement Contractor.
Designate a Qualifying Party.
Take and pass all parts of the Business and Law and applicable trade-specific licensing examinations.
Pay all fees.
Pass the financial background check.
Submit evidence of general liability insurance with a minimum amount of $100,000 and proof of workers’ compensation for the Residential and Home Improvement license. Submit a financial statement showing a minimum of $10,000 net worth for the Commercial and Residential licenses.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Contractor License in Louisiana?
Because there are no education requirements for a Louisiana contractor license, you’ll receive your license after meeting the requirements. The LSLBC states all licenses are issued as soon as candidates submit the application and all required documentation, pay required fees, and pass applicable exams.
Note: It will take much longer if you also want a separate classification for certain trades. For instance, a plumber or electrician license in Louisiana requires 4-5 years of experience before you can apply for licensure. As a result, contractors often hire employees who already hold a specialty license or leverage subcontractors.
What Business Owners Need to Know
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How Much Does It Cost to Get a Contractor License in Louisiana?
The application fee for the Commercial or Residential license is $160, and $95 for each additional classification.
The cost to register as a Home Improvement contractor is $75.
The Business and Law exam is $120. Each trade exam is also $120.
The Background Financial Investigation fee is $60.
Total costs can range from $420 to $1,015 (with 5 classifications).
Louisiana Contractor License Training Programs and Schools
There are no specific educational or course requirements to get a Louisiana contractor license. However, there are training programs throughout the state that can help you prepare for a career in construction.
Some license classifications require candidates to demonstrate a minimum amount of on-the-job training or formal education. For example, the Mechanical Contractor license, which is needed to legally perform HVAC work valued over $10,000, requires candidates to complete a formal apprenticeship from a union or Louisiana trade school or earn a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree. Visit Apprenticeship Louisiana to view a list of available apprenticeships.
If you choose to start your career path at a college or university, you can pursue a degree in construction management or construction engineering. There are many higher education options throughout the Pelican State that offer these types of programs. Each of the following schools offers a Construction Management Associate of Applied Science or Bachelor of Science degree.
Additionally, the Louisiana Contractors Accreditation Institute offers “small and emerging construction businesses seminars and courses that assist in building a solid foundation of knowledge within the construction industry.” Courses include a Business and Law Seminar, Residential Contractor Seminar, and more.
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Does Louisiana Reciprocate Contractor Licenses?
Yes! Louisiana has reciprocity agreements with multiple states, including Florida, California, Texas, Ohio, and Arkansas.
According to the LSLBC, the contractor must:
Not have been sanctioned by the Board of the reciprocal state for the past three years for violations of their contractor licensing laws.
Meet all other requirements for licensure by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors.
View the full reciprocity agreement details here.
Do I Need to Renew my Contractor License in Louisiana?
A Louisiana contractor license requires renewal after one year. At that time, you can choose to renew the license for a one-, two-, or three-year period. The renewal fee is $100 for all license types.
Renewal notices are sent by email from licensing@lslbc.gov to the email address on file for the licensee at 60 days, and again at 15 days, prior to the license expiration date. If one year lapses after expiration, you’ll need to start the process over and reapply for licensure.
Are There Any Penalties for Contracting Without a License in Louisiana?
Yes! There are fines, misdemeanor charges, and even possible jail time for contracting without a license. According to the LSLBC, “Anyone found to be in violation of this Section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined a sum not to exceed five hundred dollars per day of violation, or three months in prison, or both.”
National Certifications
Other certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers and clients. There are many professional organizations that offer certification. These certifications are not required but can add to your marketability and therefore increase your opportunity to make more money.
Some of the top construction certifications are:
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Safety Certificate
Construction Management Association of America Certified Construction Manager (CCM)
National Association of Safety Professionals (NASP) Certified Safety Manager (CSM) certification
National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER)
Continuing Education
Continuing education allows you to stay informed about emerging technology in the industry. Residential Contractors are required to complete a minimum of six hours of continuing education annually by a board-approved provider. Use this form to log your continuing education hours.
There are no continuing education requirements for Commercial or Home Improvement Contractors.
Resources
You can stay up to date on contracting industry news several ways:
Check top blogs, including ServiceTitan’s blog.
Read about the latest industry trends, and discover ideas on how to grow your business.
Listen to top podcasts like ServiceTitan’s “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast.
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