Louisiana Exam, Registration & Business-Law Requirements
Beyond the trade exam, most Louisiana classifications require the Business and Law exam, and residential improvement work uses a registration path. This chapter reviews the Business and Law requirement, the dual exam path, the registration categories, and the open-book format.
The Business and Law exam is mandatory for most classifications
The Louisiana Business and Law examination is mandatory for the licensed classifications, with Labor-Only work being the principal exception. A qualifying party for the company sits the exam. Because the requirement is broad, candidates in Building Construction, the heavy and public-works classifications, and the specialty trades all generally must pass the Business and Law exam in addition to any trade requirement.
The dual exam path for Building Construction
For the Building Construction classification, licensure involves two examinations: the Louisiana Business and Law examination and, for the trade portion, the NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building Contractor exam. NASCLA covers the technical scope, while the Business and Law exam covers Louisiana licensing law and business management. A candidate must pass both to be licensed for that scope.
Registration categories and the open-book format
Home improvement and mold remediation are handled as registrations at the $7,500 threshold rather than as full commercial licenses, a lighter-touch path for smaller residential improvement work. The Business and Law examination is an open-book, multiple-choice test administered by PSI (the provider since August 5, 2025), covering Louisiana licensing law, estimating, contracts, finance, labor, tax, project management, risk, and safety. Because it is open book, candidates should practice locating rules quickly.