Board for Contractors (LSLBC)

The Louisiana State Licensing Board (LSLBC) is the entity in charge of issuing contractor licenses in the state. It also ensures legal standards and qualified work performance from contractors working in the construction industry.

To obtain a contractor license, each candidate must apply through the LSLBC Online License Application, meet the requirements, and present a trade examination if required. The LSLBC has reciprocal agreements with other states. Each board offers different license arrangements depending on the classification trade.

The Lead Based Paint Abatement and Removal (7-417) license is considered a contractor license that can be found listed within the LSLBC. However, the application form, exam, and licensing process are administered by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ).

Louisiana Classification List

The Louisiana State Licensing Board has an official classification list where the applicant can review all the trades for which the state of Louisiana offers contractor licenses and the different classifications used to categorize the trades.

The Major Classification refers to the main category that allows the contractor to bid and perform work in, for example, Building Construction, Electrical, Heavy Construction, or Residential Construction Building and any subclassifications listed under the Major Classification. (some exceptions may apply)
Subclassifications are trades listed under a Major Classification. These classifications are for contractors looking to be licensed in a specific trade. Examples of subclassifications are Drywall (7-10) or Painting and Flooring (7-49). Those two trades are under the Major Classification Building Construction (1)
The Specialty Classification category does not fall under any Major Classification within the Louisiana Contractor Licensing Board. Coverings and Linings, Water Well Drilling, or Leaks Repairs are examples of Specialty Classifications
Credential is a classification required for applicants that must be certified or licensed by an outside agency or organization and/or other documents

LSLBC Contractor Licenses

There are four types of contractor licenses for the state of Louisiana: Commercial, Residential, Home Improvement, and Mold Remediation.

Commercial Contractor Licenses

Building Construction (1)
- Subclassifications of the Major Classification Building Construction (1)
  - Acoustical Treatments (7-2)
  - Driveways, Parking Areas, Asphalt, and Concrete, Exclusive of Highway and Street Work (7-5)
  - Drywall (7-10)
  - Fencing (7-16)
  - Fire Sprinkler Work
  - Furnishing Labor Only (7-244)
  - Foundations for Buildings, Equipment, or Machinery (7-15)
  - Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction (2) (BC)
  - Incinerator Construction (7-22)
  - Installation of Equipment, Machinery, and Engines (7-27)
  - Installation of Pneumatic Tubes and Conveyors (7-28)
  - Insulation for Cold Storage and Buildings (7-29)
  - Insulation for Pipes and Boilers (7-30)
  - Landscaping, Grading, and Beautification (7-32) (BC)
  - Lathing, Plastering, and Stuccoing (7-31)
  - Masonry, Brick, Stone (7-33)
  - Painting and Flooring (7-49)
  - Pile Driving (7-41)
  - Rigging, House Moving, Wrecking, and Dismantling (7-51)
  - Roof Decks (7-53)
  - Roofing and Sheet Metal, Siding (7-52)
  - Sheet Metal Duct Work (7-56)
  - Steam and Hot Water Heating In Buildings or Plants (7-58)
  - Steel Erection and Installation (7-36)
  - Stone, Granite, Slate, Resilient Floor Installations, Carpeting (7-59)
  - Swimming Pools (7-60)
  - Tile, Terrazzo, and Marble (7-61)
  - Water Cooling Towers and Accessories (7-66)
Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction (2)
- Subclassifications of the Major Classification Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction (2)
  - Bridges, Over and Underpasses (7-740)
  - Clearing, Grubbing, and Snagging (7-3)
  - Culverts and Drainage Structures (7-6)
  - Driveways, Parking Areas, Asphalt and Concrete (7-7)
  - Earthwork, Drainage, and Levees (7-11)
  - Fencing (7-16)
  - Furnishing Labor Only (7-244)
  - Furnishing and Installation of Movable Structures or Machinery, Excluding Electrical and Mechanical Work (7-610)
  - Highway and Street Subsurface Drainage and Sewer Work (7-21)
  - Landscaping, Grading, and Beautification (7-32)
  - Permanent or Paved Highways and Streets (Asphalt Hot and Cold Plant Mix) (7-40)
  - Permanent or Paved Highways and Streets (Asphalt Surface Treatment) (7-39)
  - Permanent or Paved Highways and Streets (Concrete) (7-37)
  - Permanent or Paved Highways and Streets (Soil Cement) (7-38)
  - Secondary Roads (7-54)
  - Undersealing or Leveling of Roads (7-65)
Heavy Construction (3)
- Subclassifications of the Major Classification Heavy Construction (3)
  - Clearing, Grubbing, and Snagging (7-3)
  - Dams, Reservoirs, and Flood Control Work Other Than Levees (7-8)
  - Dredging (7-9)
  - Electrical Transmission Lines (7-13)
  - Fencing (7-16)
  - Foundations and Pile Driving (7-19)
  - Furnishing Labor Only (7-244)
  - Industrial Piping (7-24)
  - Industrial Plants (7-25)
  - Industrial Ventilation (7-26)
  - Landscaping, Grading, and Beautification (7-32)
  - Oil Field Construction (7-34)
  - Railroads (7-50)
  - Transmission Pipeline Construction (7-62)
  - Tunnels (7-63)
  - Wharves, Docks, Harbor Improvements, and Terminals (7-67)
Municipal and Public Works Construction (4)
- Subclassifications of the Major Classification Municipal and Public Works Construction (4)
  - Fencing (7-16)
  - Filter Plants and Water Purification (7-17)
  - Furnishing Labor Only (7-244)
  - Landscaping, Grading, and Beautification (7-32)
  - Pipe Work (Gas Lines) (7-42)
  - Pipe Work (Sewer Lines) (7-43)
  - Pipe Work (Storm Drains) (7-44)
  - Pipe Work (Water Lines) (7-45)
  - Power Plants (7-47)
  - Sewer Plant or Sewer Disposal (7-55)
  - Underground Electrical Conduit Installation (7-64)
Electrical (9)
- Subclassifications of the Major Classification Electrical (9)
  - Electrical Controls and Instrumentation and Calibration (7-479)
  - Electrical Transmission Lines (7-13)
  - Underground Electrical Conduit Installation (7-64)
Mechanical (10)
- Subclassifications of the Major Classification Mechanical (10)
  - Controls for Mechanical Work (7-459 )
  - Heat, Air Conditioning, Ventilation, Duct Work, and Refrigeration (7-20)
  - Industrial Pipe Work and Insulation (7-23)
  - Plumbing (11)
Plumbing (11)
- Subclassifications of the Major Classification Plumbing (11)
  - Potable and Nonpotable Water Systems; Construction, Removal, Repair, and Maintenance for Buildings and Premises (7-611)
  - Sanitary and Nonsanitary Waste and Sewerage Construction; Removal, Repair, and Maintenance for Buildings and Premises (7-612)
Hazardous Materials (8)
- Subclassifications of the Major Classification Hazardous Materials (8)
  - Asbestos Removal and Abatement (7-212)
  - Hazardous Waste Treatment or Removal (7-220)
Commercial Specialty Classifications (CS)
- Airport Baggage Handling & Ground Support Systems, Landing/Lighting Systems, & Passenger Boarding Bridges (7-265)
- Analytical Sampling, Auditing, Inspection and Testing (7-397)
- Anchoring Systems (7-541)
- Artwork, Stained Glass, Stages, Exhibits, Screens, Domes, Artificial Scenery (7-544)
- Auger/Dry and Conventional Boring (7-273)
- Bank Auxiliary Systems (7-571)
- Bank Locking Systems (7-572)
- Bridge Repair and Restoration (7-303)
- Carpentry (7-156)
- Cathodic & Corrosion Protection, Thermal Spraying (7-110)
- Chemical Spraying (7-308)
- Chimneys and Fireplaces (7-169)
- Closed Circuit TV (7-573)
- Coastal Restoration & Habitat Enhancement (7-484)
- Communication and Electrical Utility Poles (7-209)
- Concrete Construction (Excluding Highways, Streets, and Bridges) (7-88)
- Concrete, Masonry, and Asphalt Rehabilitation & Enhancement (7-493)
- Coverings and Linings (7-369)
- Cranes, Crane Rail Systems, Roof Cars & Trolleys (7-99)
- Curb and Gutter, Driveways, Sidewalks, Retaining Walls, Patios, Foundations (7-149)
- Detention Locks (7-574)
- Diamond Core Drilling, Grouting & Foundations (7-261)
- Distillation Trays and Fractioning Towers (7-332)
- Doors, Door Frames, and Operable Walls (Excluding Door Hardware) (7-592)
- Doors, Door Frames, Door Hardware, and Operable Walls (7-272)
- Electrical Power Substations (7-175)
- Electrostatic Precipitators Erection and Installation (7-154)
- Elevators, Dumbwaiters and Escalators (7-72)
- Engineered Fire Suppression Systems (7-576)
- Engineered Material Arresting Systems (7-521)
- Epoxies, Polymers and Plastics Excluding Insulation (7-475)
- Fiberglass and Plastic Fabrication and Installation (7-164)
- Fire Alarm (Non-Required) (7-595)
- Fire Alarms (7-577)
- Fire Suppression (7-578)
- Flooring and Decking (7-414)
- Furnaces, Incinerators, Refractory, Heat Exchangers (7-96)
- Furnishing and Spreading Materials (7-86)
- Furnishing Labor Only (7-244)
- Furniture, Fixtures, and Institutional & Kitchen Equipment (7-432)
- Gates (7-579)
- Glass, Glazing, Store Fronts, Metal Partitions, Panels and Siding (7-75)
- Groundwater Monitoring Well, Remediation and Monitoring Systems, and Recovering Wells (7-406)
- Heat Treatment of Metals (7-163)
- Horizontal Directional Drilling (7-136)
- Household Fire Alarms (7-580)
- Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems (7-306)
- Incidental Highway Work Excluding Drainage, Earthwork, Landscaping and Paving (7-158)
- Industrial Cleaning and Material/Waste Handling (7-89)
- Install Repair or Close Underground Storage Tanks (7-298)
- Insulation (Commercial and Industrial) (7-69)
- Irrigation & Wastewater Systems & Pumps (7-83)
- Joint Installation, Sealing and Re-Sealing (7-379)
- Kitchen Fire Suppression (7-582)
- Landfill Gas and Leachate Control Systems (7-470)
- Lead Based Paint Abatement and Removal (7-417)
- Lead Burning and Construction (7-104)
- Leak Repairs (7-118)
- Life Safety (7-583)
- Locksmith (7-584)
- Metal Buildings, Cold-Formed Metal Framing, Siding, Sheet Metal, Metal Products (7-511)
- Mining & Mineshaft and Slope Repairs & Construction (7-153)
- Ornamental Metal, Cupolas, Dormers, Steeples, and Clock Towers (7-547)
- Painting, Coating and Blasting (Industrial and Commercial) (7-48)
- Personnel Fall Protection & Debris Containment Systems, Scaffolding, Shoring (7-98)
- Plumbing (Restricted) (7-46)
- Pollution and Environmental Control Systems (7-221)
- Portable Buildings, Modular Manufactured and/or Mobile Housing (7-107)
- Pre-engineered Fire Suppression Systems (7-586)
- Pumping Services (7-207)
- Recreation & Sporting Facilities & Golf Courses (7-77)
- Reinforcing Rods and Wire Mesh, Dowels & Post-tensioning (7-92)
- Security (7-588)
- Seeding, Sodding, Load & Soil Stabilization, Erosion Control, Sheet Piling (7-93)
- Sheet Metal and/or Textile Structures (7-185)
- Signs, Scoreboards, Displays, Billboards (Electrical & Non-Electrical) (7-85)
- Slipform Concrete Construction (7-260)
- Soft Abrasive Cleaning, Janitorial Services, and Household Waste Removal (7-429)
- Solar Energy Equipment (7-202)
- Sound and Vibration Control Systems and Enclosures (7-315)
- Special Locking Systems (7-589)
- Specialized Interlocking Pavement Systems (7-390)
- Telecommunications (7-174)
- Telecommunications (Excluding Property Protection and Life Safety Systems) (7-590)
- Tower Construction (7-111)
- Trenchless Rehabilitation (7-274)
- Vertical Wick Drains (7-430)
- Water Well Drilling (7-95)
- Waterproofing, Coating, Sealing, Concrete/Masonry Repair (7-74)
- Well Servicing, Workover, Completion and Plug & Abandon Wells (7-112)
- Windows, Skylights And Accessories (7-197)

Residential Contractor Licenses

Residential Construction (12)
- Subclassifications of the Major Classification Residential Construction (12)
  - Residential Swimming Pools (7-802)

Mold Remediation Contractor License

Mold Remediation (14)

Home Improvement

Home Improvement

How to Get a Contractor License in Louisiana?

Gather the following information:
- Candidate legal name
  - Full name if applying as an individual
  - If applying as a Business, provide the company's full name corresponding to the registered Secretary of State Office of Louisiana
- Contact information
  - Physical/mailing address
  - Email
  - Phone number
- Official Documentation (may apply for more than one person depending on the application)
  - Social Security Number
  - Federal Tax ID
  - Date of Birth
- Secretary of State Office Registration Information
  - For all businesses
    - Charter Number
      
      If a Joint Venture is registered, then provide the Charter Number
    - Registration Status
      
      General Partnerships and Joint Ventures are not required to be registered
Apply through the LSLBC online application site
Fill out the corresponding documents:
- Financial Statement (except for Home Improvement license)
- Articles of Organization, Articles of Incorporation, and/or Partnership Agreement
  - Not required for Home Improvement or individual applicants
  - Mandatory for businesses applying for the Commercial, Residential, and Mold Remediation categories
    - Limited Liability Company (LLC)
      
      Copy of Articles of Organization
      
      Operating Agreement (if exists and there are amendments to the business name)
    - Corporation or Inc.
      
      Articles of Incorporation (if by law one exists and there are amendments in the business name)
    - Limited Partnership (LP ) or General Partnership (GP )
      
      Copy of Partnership Agreement
- Certificates of Insurance
  - Required for Home Improvement, Mold Remediation, and Residential (not required for Commercial)
  - General Liability and Worker Compensation from the Louisiana Workforce Commission (no exceptions or exemptions)
  - The documents must be submitted by the candidate’s insurance agent and sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Qualifying Party (only if applying as a QP)
  - Meet the requirements and complete the related documents and application form
Fulfill the license type requirements for the chosen category/trade
- Commercial
  - Plumbing, Mechanical or Electrical projects surpassing $10,000 (including materials and labor)
  - Subcontractors or Specialty Trades for commercial projects valued at $50,000 or more
  - Commercial projects, including labor and material valued at $50,000 or more (when the property is going to be used in commercial activities)
    - Commercial purposes in any construction except for residential structures with no more than 4 attached or incorporated dwelling units
  - Project with a value of $1 or more for Lead Based Paint Abatement/Removal, Underground Storage Tanks, Asbestos or Hazardous Waste projects
- Residential
  - Home improvement projects for residences valued at more than $75,000
  - May provide pricing, contract, or be part of a contract to build a residential swimming pool but cannot engage in the construction until having a Residential Swimming Pools (7-802) license
  - Residential or building constructions exceeding $75,000 (labor and material included)
    - Residential construction in any structure where a person resides, not limited just to one family dwelling, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes with no more than 3 floors in height
    - Part of the structure or adjacent to the building used as a residence
- Mold Remediation
  - Have 24 hours of training by an approved provider in basic and mold remediation assessments
  - Remediation projects valued at $7,500 or more
- Home Improvement
  - Projects on existing residential structures valued between $7,500 and $75,000
  - Registration is required (does not cover swimming pools)
Submit the documentation in the LSLBC Application Flow, and if necessary, send the fees (non-refundable) and other documents to:
600 North Street,
Baton Rouge, LA70802
(225) 765-2301
Fax: 888-510-0130
After the board’s confirmation, the applicant will receive the Examination Approval Notice email with the testing credentials (for Home Improvement candidates, the email will be about the status of the license, skip to step 9)
- Username
- Password
- Link to exam and/or Business and Law Course
Schedule the exam through the Interactive Web Portal (there is no need to schedule the Business and Law course) and check the scheduling policies for the examination
Pay the fee and pass the trade test to obtain the license chosen
Expect a response from the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors:
- An email from the board with the link to the license
- The physical certificate to the registered address

To obtain a reciprocal license, check the reciprocity agreements with other state boards and fill out the corresponding documents

Reciprocity Request for Licensure in Louisiana (fill out Section A, and the reciprocal board will complete Section B)
Endorsement Agreement and Verification Form (license verifying additional information)

Depending on the case, take the Business and Law course. See the reciprocal instructions for more details on the Individual and the Qualifying Party application process.

Louisiana Useful Links & Contact Information for Contractors

Useful Links for Contractors

Details: Written by: Carol Santiago; Published: June 7, 2023; Last Updated: January 29, 2024

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