Louisiana hosts over 80,000 construction jobs. If you’re in the field or thinking of joining, you may be wondering how to become a contractor in the state.
Louisiana offers Commercial Licenses, Residential Licenses, Mold Remediation Licenses, and Home Improvement Registration for contractors. This article will dissect the requirements and application process for each license and registration so that you can get into the Louisiana contracting field ASAP.
Do You Need a Contractor’s License in Louisiana?
Louisiana requires all contractors working on projects worth more than $7,500 to have a Home Improvement Registration or a contractor’s license. The type of license you receive is determined by the work you’re completing and the total value of the project.
Types of Contractor Licenses in Louisiana
- Home Improvement Registration is for contractors who work on home improvement projects valued at between $7,501 and $75,000, including labor and materials. This registration does not cover any work with swimming pools.
- Mold Remediation Contractor Licenses are for contractors working with mold on projects of any value over $1. For more information on this license, see here.
- Residential Contractor Licenses are for the construction of any structure that can be used as a residence. Limited classifications are available. Projects are valued at over $75,000, including all labor and materials.
- Commercial Contractor Licenses are for commercial projects valued at over $50,000, projects over $1 containing hazardous materials, or projects over $10,000 for plumbing, electrical, or mechanical work. Many classifications are available.
Home Improvement Registration for Contractors
Contractors who have a commercial or residential contractor’s license in LA are exempt from Home Improvement Registration. If you plan to work on projects valued at more than $75,000, you will need your Residential Building License instead.
Requirements
Contractors who want to complete the Home Improvement Registration will need:
- General liability insurance of at least $100,000
- Worker’s Comp coverage, if applicable
Application Process
Applications are completed online. They should include:
- All identifying information of your contracting business’s owner(s), partners, officers, members, qualifying parties, etc., if applicable
- Business registration with the Louisiana Secretary of State, if applicable
- A financial statement affidavit
- Article of Incorporation, if applying as a business
- Copies of any credentials (licenses, certificates, etc.)
- Verification of any out-of-state licenses
- Certificates of insurance must be emailed from the insurance agent to insurance@lslbc.louisiana.gov.
Once your application is processed, you’ll receive an emailed notice. This email will give you access to the LSLBC Contractor Portal. If you receive a Deficiency Notice via email, you’ll need to submit additional documents through the portal.
The portal will be used to check the status of your application, pay any additional fees, submit additional documents, and check on your license once issued.
Residential Contractors in Louisiana
Residential contractors in LA work on residences of 1-4 units that are 3 or fewer floors high. Residential Contractor Licenses also offer a building classification and residential swimming pools subclassification.
Requirements
Residential contractors will need to:
- Have a net worth of $10,000+
- Pass at least one official exam
- Hold $100,000 in general liability insurance
- Have Worker’s Comp insurance, if applicable
- Have their business registered with the Louisiana Secretary of State, if applicable
Application Process
Applicants for the residential license will apply online. They should follow the same application process and documentation as the Home Improvement Registration application process above.
Fees will depend on how many and which classifications you apply for. Use the fee calculator to estimate your total application costs.
Reciprocity information can be found here.
The Residential Contractor’s Exam
You will complete the application before taking your contractor’s exam(s). Businesses may also designate a qualifying party to apply on their behalf. A qualifying party is a full-time employee or management of the business who is qualified to oversee the contracting work. They will take the contractor and trade exams required for the license.
Once the application is approved, you or the qualifying party will receive information on how to schedule, pay for, and take the required exam(s).
All residential contractors will need to take the Business and Law course and exam. If you’re applying for a classification as well, you may also need to take and pass a trade exam. Information for each classification’s exam requirements can be found here.
Renewals
Residential contractors must complete 6 hours of continuing education annually. If you also hold a certain commercial license, you may be exempt from these six hours.
Commercial Contractors in Louisiana
Commercial contractors can do all sorts of work, as their project value is often high and includes specialty contracting such as electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work.
As with residential licenses, Commercial Contractor Licenses include a long list of classifications, ranging from heavy construction to leak repairs and more.
Requirements
To apply for your Commercial Contractor License, you’ll need:
- Your business/applicant’s name to correctly match the business name you registered with the LA Secretary of State’s office
- A $10,000 minimum net worth
- To pass the Business & Law course, plus a trade exam if your classification requires it
Application Process
Commercial licenses, as with all contractor licenses in Louisiana, are processed online.
You will need to include:
- A Financial Statement Affidavit
- Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, Operating Agreements, and/or Partnership Agreements, if such documents exist for your business
- Copies of any credentials (licenses, certificates, etc.)
- Verification of any out-of-state licenses
- There is no certificate of insurance requirement for commercial contractors
Fees will depend on how many and which classifications you apply for. Use the fee calculator to estimate your total application costs.
If you have a commercial contracting license from out of state, reciprocity forms may also be available.
The Commercial Contractor’s Exam
After your application is approved, you’ll receive information on how to schedule your Business & Law course and exam. You may also designate a qualifying party to take the exam, described under the “Residential Contractor License” section above.
The classifications page will note whether your classification requires a trade exam in addition to the mandatory Business and Law course. Click on “Bulletin” next to your classification for more detailed exam information.
Once you pass your exams all submit all required documents, you will receive your license.
Renewals
Commercial contractors will receive an initial license that is only valid for one year. After this, you can renew your license for 1, 2, or 3 years. You will receive renewal reminders in the mail and will be able to renew online.
