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 |
| 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 |
| Est. Initial Total | $945 |
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
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. 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)
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.
Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: SPBLA