How to Get a Contractor License in Louisiana

Louisiana requires a state license for every trade we track. The main contractor license is the Residential Building Contractor license and needs two exams, Business and Law plus Residential Construction trade. Of the 3 trades we could rate, landscape irrigation is the easiest to get licensed for and general contracting the hardest.

The Louisiana contractor license

How to apply

1. Complete the Business and Law course and pass the PSI trade exam.
2. Prepare a financial statement showing $50,000 net worth.
3. Show $100,000 general liability and workers compensation.
4. Apply to LSLBC for the Residential Building Contractor license.
5. Pull the parish or city building permit.

Commercial work of $50,000 or more needs a commercial license; electrical, mechanical and plumbing projects over $10,000 need the matching LSLBC classification.

Official license page

State license requirements for each trade in Louisiana

Tap a column to sort. Difficulty covers the state license only. Checked October 18, 2026.

Trades ranked from easiest to hardest in Louisiana

1. Irrigation, moderate (29)
2. Foundation repair, moderate or harder (33+)
3. General contracting, moderate or harder (33+)

Roofing, plumbing, electrical work, HVAC work, concrete flatwork, drainage and detention work, and demolition are not rated because their rules are not fully published.

Details for each trade

Foundation repair

Required for residential construction or home improvement over $50,000; the LSLBC brochure also says any project requiring structural work must be bid and performed by a licensed Residential Building Contractor. Home improvement work from $7,500 up to $50,000 needs Home Improvement Registration instead (no trade exam). Fees are not confirmed here.

Ask the parish or city permit office whether the repair needs a permit and an engineer letter or sealed design.

1. Complete the Business and Law course and pass the PSI trade exam.
2. Prepare a financial statement showing $50,000 net worth.
3. Show $100,000 general liability and workers compensation.
4. Apply to LSLBC for the Residential Building Contractor license.
5. Pull the parish or city building permit.

Difficulty 33+, moderate or harder (exams 15, business and law exam 5, insurance 5, background check 4, continuing education 4).

Checked October 18, 2026 against LSLBC types of licenses ($50,000 residential, $7,500 home improvement, $10,000 EMP); LSLBC exams and classifications; LSLBC licensing requirements brochure (structural work, net worth, insurance).

General contracting (residential remodels, additions and home improvement)

Ask the parish or city permit office about building permits for remodels and additions.

1. Complete the Business and Law course and pass the PSI trade exam.
2. Prepare a financial statement showing $50,000 net worth.
3. Show $100,000 general liability and workers compensation.
4. Apply to LSLBC for the Residential Building Contractor license.
5. Pull the parish or city building permit.

Difficulty 33+, moderate or harder (exams 15, business and law exam 5, insurance 5, background check 4, continuing education 4).

Checked October 18, 2026 against LSLBC types of licenses ($50,000 residential, $7,500 home improvement, $10,000 EMP); LSLBC exams and classifications; LSLBC licensing requirements brochure (structural work, net worth, insurance).

Roofing

Residential Roofing is a subclassification of Residential Construction with a trade exam; jobs from $7,500 to $50,000 can be done under Home Improvement Registration.

Ask the parish or city permit office whether a reroof needs a permit.

1. Complete the Business and Law course and pass the PSI trade exam.
2. Prepare a financial statement showing $50,000 net worth.
3. Show $100,000 general liability and workers compensation.
4. Apply to LSLBC for the Residential Building Contractor license.
5. Pull the parish or city building permit.

Checked October 18, 2026 against LSLBC types of licenses ($50,000 residential, $7,500 home improvement, $10,000 EMP); LSLBC exams and classifications; LSLBC licensing requirements brochure (structural work, net worth, insurance).

Plumbing

Everyone doing plumbing must be registered as an apprentice if unlicensed. Master requirements and fees are not confirmed here.

Ask the parish or city permit office who may pull plumbing permits.

1. Register as an apprentice and progress to journeyman.
2. Apply for the master plumber exam with the State Plumbing Board.

Checked October 18, 2026 against State Plumbing Board of Louisiana license types; LSLBC types of licenses.

Electrical

LSLBC requires a license for electrical projects over $10,000. Local electrician licensing may also apply; ask the parish or city.

Ask the parish or city permit office who may pull electrical permits.

1. Pass the LSLBC electrical trade exam and Business and Law.
2. Apply for the classification.

Checked October 18, 2026 against LSLBC types of licenses ($50,000 residential, $7,500 home improvement, $10,000 EMP); LSLBC exams and classifications.

HVAC

LSLBC requires a license for mechanical projects over $10,000.

Ask the parish or city permit office who may pull mechanical permits.

1. Pass the LSLBC mechanical trade exam and Business and Law.
2. Apply for the classification.

Checked October 18, 2026 against LSLBC types of licenses ($50,000 residential, $7,500 home improvement, $10,000 EMP); LSLBC exams and classifications.

Irrigation

Needed to install, connect, repair or alter any part of a landscape irrigation system including its wiring. Before connecting to a water supply you need a Water Supply Protection Specialist endorsement from the State Plumbing Board. Licenses expire January 31 each year; a recertification seminar is required every 3 years.

Ask the parish or city about permits; the water tie-in needs the WSPS endorsement.

1. Apply to the Horticulture Commission.
2. Pay $150 and pass the exam with 70 percent.
3. Pay the $125 license fee.
4. Get the WSPS endorsement from the State Plumbing Board before connecting to a water supply.

Difficulty 29, moderate (exams 15, fees 6, continuing education 4, processing time 4).

Checked October 18, 2026 against LDAF nurseries and landscaping licenses.

Concrete flatwork (driveways, sidewalks and work in the public right-of-way)

Commercial driveways, parking areas and concrete work over $50,000 use the Driveways, Parking Areas, Asphalt and Concrete subclassification. Home improvement covers repair, alteration, removal or demolition and additions to existing homes valued at $7,500 or more. No trade exam for the registration.

Ask the parish or city permit office about driveway, sidewalk and right-of-way permits.

1. Register with LSLBC for Home Improvement Registration with insurance certificates.
2. Move up to the Residential Building Contractor license for jobs over $50,000 or with structural work.

Checked October 18, 2026 against LSLBC types of licenses ($50,000 residential, $7,500 home improvement, $10,000 EMP); LSLBC exams and classifications; LSLBC licensing requirements brochure (structural work, net worth, insurance).

Drainage and detention (grading, drainage, stormwater and detention ponds)

Commercial earthwork, drainage, ditches and ponds over $50,000 use the Earthwork, Drainage, and Levees subclassification. Home improvement covers repair, alteration, removal or demolition and additions to existing homes valued at $7,500 or more. No trade exam for the registration.

Ask the parish or city permit office about grading, drainage and stormwater approvals.

1. Register with LSLBC for Home Improvement Registration with insurance certificates.
2. Move up to the Residential Building Contractor license for jobs over $50,000 or with structural work.

Checked October 18, 2026 against LSLBC types of licenses ($50,000 residential, $7,500 home improvement, $10,000 EMP); LSLBC exams and classifications; LSLBC licensing requirements brochure (structural work, net worth, insurance).

Demolition

Home improvement includes removal or demolition. Commercial demolition over $50,000 uses Rigging, House Moving, Wrecking, and Dismantling. Home improvement covers repair, alteration, removal or demolition and additions to existing homes valued at $7,500 or more. No trade exam for the registration.

Ask the parish or city permit office about demolition permits.

1. Register with LSLBC for Home Improvement Registration with insurance certificates.
2. Move up to the Residential Building Contractor license for jobs over $50,000 or with structural work.

Checked October 18, 2026 against LSLBC types of licenses ($50,000 residential, $7,500 home improvement, $10,000 EMP); LSLBC exams and classifications; LSLBC licensing requirements brochure (structural work, net worth, insurance).

Exams for a Louisiana license

Tap a column to sort. Each exam name opens the provider's bulletin or exam page. A blank cell is a fact not confirmed from the provider, and the linked bulletin has the full rules.

Checked October 18, 2026 against LSLBC, what happens after I apply; PSI Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors Candidate Information Bulletin; LSLBC exams and classifications; PSI Louisiana contractor exam registration (fee, retake fee and time); PSI Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors Candidate Information Bulletin.

Official sources

• Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors
• State Plumbing Board of Louisiana
• LDAF Horticulture Commission

Licensing pages for nearby states cover Arkansas and Texas.

Rules and fees change, and this is not legal advice. Confirm with the licensing board before you apply or bid.