General Contractor License Requirements in Louisiana
| Licensing Authority | Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) |
| License Type | Commercial / Residential / Home Improvement Registration |
| Experience Required | Louisiana does not require a specific number of years of experience for contractor licensing. The qualifying party must pass both the Business & Law exam and the trade exam. The qualifying party must be an original incorporator/LLC member or a full-time employee with at least 4 months of employment. |
| Education Substitute | No formal experience requirement, so no education substitute applies. Exam passage serves as the competency gate. |
| Exam Required | Yes — Louisiana Business & Law + Trade Exam (classification-specific) |
| Bond Required | No |
| Insurance | General liability: required. Workers comp: required with employees |
| Continuing Education | 6 hours annually (residential contractors only). Commercial, mold, and home improvement contractors are exempt. |
| Processing Time | 4-8 weeks typical. Exam scheduling available through PSI after application approval. |
Fee Breakdown
| Application Fee | $100 |
| Exam Fee | $240 |
| Fingerprinting | $40 |
| Est. Initial Total | $380 |
Related & additional fees
Separate or ongoing costs — not included in the estimate above.
| Application (2 classifications) | $195 |
| Business & Law exam | $120 |
| Trade exam (per classification) | $120 |
Renewal: $100 every 1, 2, or 3 years (licensee's choice)
Exam Requirements
Louisiana Business & Law
Trade Exam (classification-specific)
Exam provider: PSI Services LLC (effective August 2025)
Recommended exam prep
Formal prep pays for itself against a $100+ retake. Many states examine contractors on two separate papers — the trade exam and a business and law exam — so we list the course covering both first, with trade-specific depth after.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Mometrix · SponsoredContractor License Online Study CourseFull online prep course covering the trade and business-and-law exams — video lessons, practice questions, and a study plan built for a first-try pass.See the course →
Mometrix · SponsoredContractor's Exam FlashcardsPortable flashcards for the high-frequency exam topics — a cheaper add-on for drilling terms and code references on the go.See the flashcards →Set up the business before you apply in Louisiana
Most states license the company as well as the person, so the application usually asks for an LLC or corporation and a registered agent in Louisiana. Northwest forms the entity and acts as your registered agent — a flat fee, no upsell funnel.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Form an LLC with Northwest→License Tiers
Commercial Contractor
Projects over $50,000. Requires $50,000 net worth (or irrevocable letter of credit). Building Construction, Highway/Street/Bridge, Heavy Construction, Municipal/Public Works classifications available.
Exam: Required
Residential Contractor
Projects over $75,000. Requires $50,000 net worth (or irrevocable letter of credit). Includes subclassifications for Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Roofing.
Exam: Required
Home Improvement Registration
Existing residential structures, non-structural work, $7,500-$75,000. Requires $25,000 net worth.
Exam: Required
License Reciprocity
This state has reciprocity agreements with 5 states. View full reciprocity details — You may be able to skip the trade exam if you hold a valid license from one of these states.
Notes
- No formal experience requirement — exam passage is the competency gate
- Act 422 (effective August 2025) increased net worth from $10,000 to $50,000 for commercial/residential licenses
- Act 422 eliminated surety bonds as net worth alternative; only irrevocable letters of credit accepted
- Home improvement registration requires $25,000 net worth
- Qualifying party must be original incorporator/LLC member or full-time employee (min 4 months)
- Business registration with Louisiana Secretary of State required
- Retake wait period: 30 days if exam is failed
Local requirements on top of your Louisiana license
The LSLBC general contractor license is the credential that lets you work anywhere in Louisiana. On top of it, most Louisiana cities and counties require a local business license (a tax registration) to operate, and a few add their own contractor registration or permit. These are in addition to your state license, not a replacement — always confirm the rules with the city or county where the job is.
You're licensed in Louisiana as a general contractor — the next 30 days
Most of the steps below are required before your first paid job; the order is the order the state and its counties will ask for them.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Form the business and get an EIN.
The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors issues the Commercial / Residential / Home Improvement Registration; the business that invoices Louisiana customers is a separate decision. A sole proprietorship is the default, an LLC keeps business liability off your personal assets, and either needs an EIN before the first payroll. Settle it before the license number goes on an estimate.
Bond: none required by the state.
Louisiana does not require a surety bond for this license — No statewide bond requirement. Net worth of $50,000 required for commercial/residential licenses (increased from $10,000 by Act 422, effective August 2025). An irrevocable letter of credit may substitute for net worth. Surety bonds no longer accepted as an alternative to net worth. Local jurisdictions may require bonds ($5,000-$15,000 typical).
Carry the insurance the license requires.
Louisiana requires general liability insurance for this license. General liability minimum $100,000 required for residential and home improvement licenses. Workers' compensation required if you have employees. Commercial licenses require insurance certificates. Financial statement prepared by independent accountant required. Contractor insurance requirements→
Register locally.
Most Louisiana cities and counties require a local business license (a tax registration) on top of the state credential, and a few add their own contractor registration or permit — confirm with the city or county where the job is.
Set up quoting, scheduling and invoicing before the first call.
Your first customers will ask for a written estimate and expect to pay by card on site. Most one-truck general contractor businesses run that on field-service software; Housecall Pro is the one we link because it is built for this size of company and this link carries 20% off your first 12 months. Start a free trial of Housecall Pro→
Keep the license.
Renewal is every 1, 2, or 3 years (licensee's choice) at $100. Continuing education: 6 hours annually (residential contractors only). Commercial, mold, and home improvement contractors are exempt.
Other licenses in Louisiana
- Electrician license in Louisiana
Statewide license required · $380 in initial government fees · LSLBC
- Plumber license in Louisiana
Statewide license required · $185 in initial government fees · SPBLA
- HVAC Technician license in Louisiana
Statewide license required · $380 in initial government fees · LSLBC
- Roofing Contractor license in Louisiana
Statewide license required · $380 in initial government fees · LSLBC
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a general contractor license in Louisiana?
Yes, Louisiana requires a statewide general contractor license through the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors.
How much does a general contractor license cost in Louisiana?
The estimated initial cost is $380, including application, exam, and license fees.
What experience do I need for a general contractor license in Louisiana?
Louisiana does not require a specific number of years of experience for contractor licensing. The qualifying party must pass both the Business & Law exam and the trade exam. The qualifying party must be an original incorporator/LLC member or a full-time employee with at least 4 months of employment. Education substitute: No formal experience requirement, so no education substitute applies. Exam passage serves as the competency gate.
What exams are required for a general contractor license in Louisiana?
You must pass the Louisiana Business & Law and Trade Exam (classification-specific) exams. A passing score of 70% is required. Exams are administered by PSI Services LLC (effective August 2025).
Does Louisiana have general contractor license reciprocity?
Yes, Louisiana has reciprocity agreements with 5 states that may apply to general contractors. Licensed contractors from these states may be eligible to skip certain exams or have an expedited application process.
How long does it take to get a general contractor license in Louisiana?
Processing time is typically 4-8 weeks typical. Exam scheduling available through PSI after application approval. after submitting a complete application.
Is continuing education required for general contractors in Louisiana?
Yes, 6 hours per annually (residential contractors only). Commercial, mold, and home improvement contractors are exempt. is required for license renewal.
Next steps
You know the requirements for general contractors in Louisiana— here's how to actually pass and apply.
Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: LSLBC