Louisiana Contractor Licensing & Classifications
Louisiana licenses contractors through a single state board and sets several dollar thresholds by type of work. This chapter covers the board, the commercial and residential triggers, the E/M/P and registration thresholds, the major classifications, and the trade exam.
The LSLBC and La. R.S. 37:2150 et seq.
Contractors in Louisiana are licensed by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC), whose authority comes from the Louisiana Revised Statutes, Title 37, Chapter 24 (R.S. 37:2150 and following), with key definitions at R.S. 37:2150.1. The LSLBC sets qualification standards, administers the examinations, issues commercial and residential credentials, and enforces the licensing law statewide.
The dollar thresholds that trigger a credential
A commercial contractor license is required for commercial work of $50,000 or more. The electrical, mechanical, and plumbing (E/M/P) subclassifications carry a lower $10,000 threshold. On the residential side, a residential license is required for new residential construction of $50,000 or more — this figure is $50,000, and older material citing $75,000 is out of date. Home improvement and mold remediation are handled through registration at $7,500 or more. Matching the credential to both the type of work and its dollar value is the core of Louisiana licensing.
Major classifications and the trade exam
The LSLBC organizes commercial licenses into major classifications such as Building Construction; Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction; Heavy Construction; Municipal and Public Works Construction; and the specialty E/M/P classifications. For the Building Construction classification, the trade/technical requirement is satisfied by the NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building Contractor examination, while the Louisiana Business and Law examination remains required. Passing NASCLA alone does not license a contractor in Louisiana.
State-specific details
State exam facts
- State regulator
- Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC)
Does Louisiana require a state contractor license?
Yes. The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) licenses contractors under La. R.S. 37:2150 et seq. A commercial contractor license is required for commercial work of $50,000 or more; electrical, mechanical, and plumbing subclassifications are licensed at $10,000 or more.
When is a Louisiana residential license required?
A residential license is required for new residential construction of $50,000 or more (this is $50,000, not the outdated $75,000 figure). Home improvement and mold remediation are registered at $7,500 or more.
Is the Business and Law exam mandatory in Louisiana?
Yes, the Business and Law examination is mandatory for the licensed classifications; Labor-Only work is the principal exception. The exam's question count, time limit, and passing score are not asserted here pending LSLBC confirmation.
Sources: https://www.lslbc.louisiana.gov