Plumber License Requirements in Louisiana
| Licensing Authority | State Plumbing Board of Louisiana (SPBLA) |
| License Type | Apprentice / Residential Plumber / Journeyman Plumber / Master Plumber (SPBLA) + Plumbing Contractor (LSLBC for projects over $50,000) |
| Experience Required | Residential: 3,000 hours (indentured apprentice) or 4,000 hours (unindentured). Journeyman: 7,000 hours (indentured) or 8,000 hours (unindentured), approximately 4-5 years full-time. Master: must hold journeyman license or restricted master license, plus minimum 5 years total plumbing experience. Louisiana PE with 5 years plumbing experience may also qualify for master. |
| Education Substitute | Indentured apprenticeship through Louisiana Workforce Commission-approved program reduces required hours (7,000 vs 8,000 for journeyman; 3,000 vs 4,000 for residential). A Louisiana Professional Engineer license with 5 years plumbing experience qualifies for master plumber exam. |
| Exam Required | Yes — Residential Plumber Exam + Journeyman Plumber Exam + Master Plumber Exam (3 parts) |
| Bond Required | No |
| Insurance | General liability: required. Workers comp: required with employees |
| Continuing Education | 5 hours annually for master plumbers (5 hours CPE). Journeyman plumbers require 3.5 hours annually. Must be completed before December 31 renewal deadline. |
| Processing Time | 2-4 weeks for SPBLA license after passing exam. Exam scores valid for 90 days — application and payment must be submitted within 90 days or scores are forfeited. |
Fee Breakdown
| Application Fee | $50 |
| Exam Fee | $135 |
| Est. Initial Total | $185 |
Related & additional fees
Separate or ongoing costs — not included in the estimate above.
| Residential exam fee | $135 |
| Residential application fee | $40 |
| Journeyman exam fee | $135 |
| Journeyman application fee | $50 |
| Master exam fee | $110 |
| Master application fee | $190 |
| LSLBC plumbing contractor license (projects over $50K) | $100 |
Renewal: $50 every 1 year (expires December 31 annually)
Exam Requirements
Residential Plumber Exam
Journeyman Plumber Exam
Master Plumber Exam (3 parts)
Exam provider: State Plumbing Board of Louisiana (in-house) with NITC certification services
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.
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Mometrix · SponsoredPlumber's Exam FlashcardsPortable flashcards for the high-frequency plumber-exam topics — a cheaper add-on for drilling code references and terms 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
Registered Apprentice
Must register with SPBLA. Works under direct supervision of journeyman or master plumber.
Exam: Not required
Residential Plumber
Repairs on existing residential plumbing in 1-2 family dwellings. Requires 3,000 hours (indentured) or 4,000 hours (unindentured) of supervised experience.
Exam: Required
Journeyman Plumber
Installation, repairs, and maintenance under master plumber supervision. Requires 7,000 hours (indentured) or 8,000 hours (unindentured) of supervised experience.
Exam: Required
Master Plumber
Full scope of plumbing work, can employ apprentices and journeymen. Must hold journeyman license + additional experience. Minimum 5 years total trade experience.
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
- Plumbing is licensed separately from general contracting in Louisiana
- SPBLA handles individual plumber licenses (apprentice, residential, journeyman, master)
- LSLBC handles plumbing contractor licenses for projects over $50,000
- Exam scores valid for 90 days only — must submit application within that window
- All licenses expire December 31 annually
- 2026 legislative proposal to fast-track plumber licensing was under debate (March 2026)
You're licensed in Louisiana as a plumber — 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.
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Form the business and get an EIN.
The State Plumbing Board of Louisiana issues the Apprentice / Residential Plumber / Journeyman Plumber / Master Plumber (SPBLA) + Plumbing Contractor (LSLBC for projects over $50,000); 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 bond required for individual plumber licenses from SPBLA. If also obtaining LSLBC plumbing contractor license for projects over $50,000, the $50,000 net worth requirement applies. Local jurisdictions may require bonds.
Carry the insurance the license requires.
Louisiana requires general liability insurance for this license. Active master plumbers must maintain general liability, workers' compensation (or exemption affidavit), and service vehicle liability insurance on file with SPBLA. Certificates must be current with the board's office. Workers' comp exemption affidavit available if no employees. Contractor insurance requirements→
Register locally.
Local plumbing permits required in most jurisdictions. Some parishes have additional registration 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 plumber 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 year (expires December 31 annually) at $50. Continuing education: 5 hours annually for master plumbers (5 hours CPE). Journeyman plumbers require 3.5 hours annually. Must be completed before December 31 renewal deadline.
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
- 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 plumber license in Louisiana?
Yes, Louisiana requires a statewide plumber license through the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana.
How much does a plumber license cost in Louisiana?
The estimated initial cost is $185, including application, exam, and license fees.
What experience do I need for a plumber license in Louisiana?
Residential: 3,000 hours (indentured apprentice) or 4,000 hours (unindentured). Journeyman: 7,000 hours (indentured) or 8,000 hours (unindentured), approximately 4-5 years full-time. Master: must hold journeyman license or restricted master license, plus minimum 5 years total plumbing experience. Louisiana PE with 5 years plumbing experience may also qualify for master. Education substitute: Indentured apprenticeship through Louisiana Workforce Commission-approved program reduces required hours (7,000 vs 8,000 for journeyman; 3,000 vs 4,000 for residential). A Louisiana Professional Engineer license with 5 years plumbing experience qualifies for master plumber exam.
What exams are required for a plumber license in Louisiana?
You must pass the Residential Plumber Exam and Journeyman Plumber Exam and Master Plumber Exam (3 parts) exams. A passing score of 70% (each section/category) is required. Exams are administered by State Plumbing Board of Louisiana (in-house) with NITC certification services.
Does Louisiana have plumber license reciprocity?
Yes, Louisiana has reciprocity agreements with 5 states that may apply to plumbers. 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 plumber license in Louisiana?
Processing time is typically 2-4 weeks for SPBLA license after passing exam. Exam scores valid for 90 days — application and payment must be submitted within 90 days or scores are forfeited. after submitting a complete application.
Is continuing education required for plumbers in Louisiana?
Yes, 5 hours per annually for master plumbers (5 hours CPE). Journeyman plumbers require 3.5 hours annually. Must be completed before December 31 renewal deadline. is required for license renewal.
Next steps
You know the requirements for plumbers in Louisiana— here's how to actually pass and apply.
Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: SPBLA