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 and examination requirements, 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) classifications 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for new residential construction of $50,000 or more — this figure is $50,000, and older material citing $75,000 is out of date.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 on an existing home is handled through registration for work of at least $7,500 but less than $50,000, with no structural work. Mold remediation requires a license 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 electrical, mechanical, and plumbing (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.
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State-specific details
State exam facts
- State regulator
- Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC)
- Passing score
- 70 or above
- Scored questions
- 50
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; the electrical, mechanical, and plumbing classifications 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 on an existing home is a registration for work of at least $7,500 but less than $50,000 with no structural work, and mold remediation is licensed at $7,500 or more.
Is the Business and Law exam mandatory in Louisiana?
Yes. The board requires the qualifying party of a commercial, residential, or mold remediation applicant to complete the Business and Law examination. It is a 50-question test taken online in the LSLBC Contractor Licensing Portal after board approval, and a score of 70 or above passes. The board publishes no time limit.
Sources: https://lslbc.gov
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