Louisiana Contractor License Requirements
verifiedState-Level License RequiredLouisiana has separate thresholds for commercial ($50,000+) and residential ($75,000+) licensing. Specialty trades have separate boards.
gavelHow Contractor Licensing Works in Louisiana
Louisiana is the only state in its region running two separate value thresholds: the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors requires a Major license for commercial and heavy construction over $50,000 and a Minor license for residential construction over $75,000. Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC each answer to their own state boards for all work. The split-threshold design means a residential remodeler has more headroom than a commercial builder before licensing kicks in, the reverse of what many contractors assume. Against its neighbors, Louisiana aligns with Mississippi and Arkansas at the $50,000 commercial mark while giving residential work extra room; Texas, with no state general contractor license, remains the regional outlier next door.
The Louisiana application runs through an exam, a financial statement, proof of insurance at the $100,000 general liability minimum, workers compensation, and a surety bond, with licenses renewing annually by December 31. The board's financial review is substantive, and applicants whose statements do not support their intended bid sizes face delays or limitations, so prepare financials with the same care as the exam. Watch the threshold math on mixed projects: a job with commercial character is judged against $50,000, not $75,000, and contractors who classify borderline projects optimistically invite enforcement. Louisiana signs no reciprocity agreements, so Texas, Mississippi, and Arkansas license holders start fresh, exam included, before bidding above-threshold work in the state.
account_balanceLicensing Board
Board Name
Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors
Phone
(225) 765-2301
descriptionLicense Types
| Type | Threshold | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Major (Commercial/Heavy) | $50,000+ | Commercial and heavy construction over $50,000 |
| Minor (Residential) | $75,000+ | Residential construction over $75,000 |
| Electrical | All work | Licensed through LA State Board of Electrical Examiners |
| Plumbing | All work | Licensed through LA State Plumbing Board |
| Mechanical/HVAC | All work | Licensed through LA State Board of HVACR |
checklistRequirements
- check_circlePass trade exam
- check_circleFinancial statement
- check_circleProof of insurance
- check_circleWorkers compensation
- check_circleSurety bond
paymentsFee Schedule
Application
$200
Annual Renewal
$200
Exam Fee
$100
event_repeatRenewal Period
Annual — December 31
shieldInsurance Minimums
General Liability
$100,000
Workers Compensation
Required
swap_horizReciprocity
- arrow_forwardNo reciprocity agreements
helpFrequently Asked Questions
Do I need a contractor license in Louisiana?
Yes, above the thresholds: commercial and heavy construction over $50,000 requires a Major license and residential construction over $75,000 requires a Minor license, both from the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors. Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work require licenses from their own state boards for all jobs at any dollar value.
Why does Louisiana have two different license thresholds?
The state separates commercial from residential licensing. Commercial and heavy construction triggers licensing at $50,000, while residential work gets more room, triggering at $75,000. The classification of the project controls which number applies, so a contractor doing both types of work must track each contract against the correct threshold and hold the matching license class.
What are the penalties for unlicensed contracting in Louisiana?
The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors enforces actively, with fines and stop-work exposure for contractors operating above the thresholds unlicensed, and unlicensed contractors face serious obstacles enforcing contracts and collecting payment. Bidding above-threshold work without the license is itself a violation, so the exposure starts at the proposal stage, not at mobilization.
How long does the Louisiana contractor license take?
Most complete applications resolve in one to two months, paced by exam scheduling and the board's review of your financial statement, insurance at the $100,000 general liability minimum, bond, and workers compensation. Weak or informal financials are the usual bottleneck since the board matches your capacity to your bidding. Renewals fall annually on December 31.
infoData sourced from state licensing board websites. Requirements change frequently — verify with your state board before applying. Last updated April 2026.