The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors was created in 1956 by Act 233 of the legislature.  Title 37:2150-2192 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, Chapter 24, reads as follows:

 “The purpose of the legislature in enacting this Chapter is the protection of the health, safety, and general welfare of all those persons dealing with persons engaged in the contracting vocation, and the affording of such persons of an effective and practical protection against the incompetent, inexperienced, unlawful, and fraudulent acts of contractors with whom they contract.  Further, the legislative intent is that the State Licensing Board for Contractors shall monitor construction projects to ensure compliance with the licensure requirements of this Chapter.” 

Acts 1976, No. 82, Sec. 2; Act No. 559 of 1989.

The board regulates both commercial and residential contractors who bid or perform construction projects whose value exceeds $50,000 or more, and hazardous material contractors on projects valued at $1.00 or more.

A fifteen member board, appointed by the Governor, directs administrative policy for the agency’s operations.  This board includes four (4) members with experience in highway, street, and bridge construction, four (4) members with experience in building or industrial construction, one (1) member with experience in mechanical construction, one (1) member with experience in electrical construction, one (1) member with experience in oilfield construction, two (2) members with experience as a subcontractor in a field other than electrical or mechanical construction, two (2) members shall be public at large and shall not have their livelihood in a construction-related industry.  A five member residential committee conducts business regarding residential matters in a manner similar to the commercial board.

Agency staff receive and process applications for new contractor licenses, additional classifications, changes of license records, and annual license renewals.  The agency also administers business and law and trade examinations for contractor applicants and qualifying parties.  Administrative and disciplinary hearings are conducted monthly for alleged violations by both commercial and residential contractors.  Agency investigators conduct construction project investigations to determine compliance and enforcement of the contractor licensing law.   The agency maintains public records on these matters.  All board meetings and administrative hearings are conducted at the board’s Baton Rouge headquarters.

Fines and penalties levied against violators of the contractor licensing law are sent directly to the Contractors Educational Trust Fund (CETF), whose mission is to promote programs used for contractor educational purposes.

As of 7/23/2008, there are 15809 licensed commercial contractors, 3753 licensed residential contractors, 719 registered home improvement contractors and 231 certified mold remediation certificate holders in Louisiana.