HVAC Technician License Requirements in Louisiana
| Licensing Authority | Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) |
| License Type | Mechanical Contractor — Heating, AC, Ventilation, Duct Work & Refrigeration |
| Experience Required | No formal experience requirement at the state level. The qualifying party must pass both the Business & Law exam and the Mechanical (HVAC) trade exam. Formal apprenticeship, AAS degree, or trade school completion is recommended but not mandated. Must be at least 18 years old with valid SSN or tax ID. |
| Education Substitute | No formal experience requirement, so education serves as preparation rather than substitution. AAS degree in HVAC or formal apprenticeship completion recommended for exam preparation. |
| Exam Required | Yes — Louisiana Business & Law + Mechanical (HVAC) Trade Exam |
| Bond Required | No |
| Insurance | General liability: required. Workers comp: required with employees |
| Continuing Education | Not required |
| Processing Time | 4-8 weeks |
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.
| Business & Law exam | $120 |
| Mechanical trade exam | $120 |
Renewal: $100 every 1, 2, or 3 years
Exam Requirements
Louisiana Business & Law
Mechanical (HVAC) Trade Exam
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 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
- License required for mechanical projects over $50,000 (commercial) or $75,000 (residential)
- No statewide journeyman HVAC license — state license is a contractor license
- EPA Section 608 certification required for refrigerant handling (federal requirement, separate from state license)
- No continuing education requirement for mechanical contractors
- Closed-book trade exam (100 questions, 4 hours)
- No formal experience requirement — exam is the competency gate
- No 2026 changes to HVAC/mechanical licensing requirements
You're licensed in Louisiana as an HVAC technician — 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 Mechanical Contractor — Heating, AC, Ventilation, Duct Work & Refrigeration; 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. $50,000 net worth required for commercial/residential mechanical licenses (or irrevocable letter of credit). Local jurisdictions may require bonds of $5,000-$10,000.
Carry the insurance the license requires.
Louisiana requires general liability insurance for this license. General liability minimum $100,000 required. Workers' compensation required for employers with employees. Financial statement showing $50,000 net worth required. Contractor insurance requirements→
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 HVAC technician 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 at $100.
Other licenses in Louisiana
- General Contractor license in Louisiana
Statewide license required · $380 in initial government fees · LSLBC
- 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
- Roofing Contractor license in Louisiana
Statewide license required · $380 in initial government fees · LSLBC
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an hvac technician license in Louisiana?
Yes, Louisiana requires a statewide hvac technician license through the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors.
How much does an hvac technician license cost in Louisiana?
The estimated initial cost is $380, including application, exam, and license fees.
What experience do I need for an hvac technician license in Louisiana?
No formal experience requirement at the state level. The qualifying party must pass both the Business & Law exam and the Mechanical (HVAC) trade exam. Formal apprenticeship, AAS degree, or trade school completion is recommended but not mandated. Must be at least 18 years old with valid SSN or tax ID. Education substitute: No formal experience requirement, so education serves as preparation rather than substitution. AAS degree in HVAC or formal apprenticeship completion recommended for exam preparation.
What exams are required for an hvac technician license in Louisiana?
You must pass the Louisiana Business & Law and Mechanical (HVAC) Trade Exam exams. A passing score of 70% is required. Exams are administered by PSI Services LLC (effective August 2025).
Does Louisiana have hvac technician license reciprocity?
Yes, Louisiana has reciprocity agreements with 5 states that may apply to hvac technicians. 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 an hvac technician license in Louisiana?
Processing time is typically 4-8 weeks after submitting a complete application.
Is continuing education required for hvac technicians in Louisiana?
No, Louisiana does not currently require continuing education for hvac technician license renewal.
Next steps
You know the requirements for hvac technicians in Louisiana— here's how to actually pass and apply.
Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: LSLBC