Frequently Asked Questions

Click  HERE to access the Contractor Search, then choose “Search by Type of Contractor” and select either: Commercial, Residential, Mold Remediation or Home Improvement from the drop down of options.

Yes, the LSLBC has enacted a rule as follows:

§129.     Licensure for Individuals with Military Training and Experience, and Military Spouses

    A.    The board shall issue a license or registration to a military-trained applicant to allow the applicant to lawfully act as a contractor, residential building contractor, home improvement contractor, mechanical contractor, electrical contractor in this state if, upon application to the board, the applicant satisfies all of the following conditions:

               1.  has completed a military program of training, been awarded a military occupational specialty, and performed in that specialty, and performed in that specialty at a level that is substantially equivalent to or exceeds the requirements for licensure or registration as a contractor, residential building contractor, home improvement contractor, mechanical contractor, or electrical contractor in this state;

               2.  has engaged in the active practice of contracting in the classification or subclassification for which a license or registration is sought;

               3.  has not been disciplined in any jurisdiction for an act that would have constituted grounds for refusal, suspension, or revocation of a contractor’s license or registration in this state at the time the act was committed.

    B.    The board shall issue a license or registration to a military trained applicant, if, upon application to the board, the applicant holds a current license, certification, or registration from another jurisdiction and that jurisdiction’s requirements for licensure, certification, or registration are substantially equivalent to or exceed the requirements for licensure or registration in this state.

    C.    The board shall issue a license or registration to a military spouse to allow the military spouse to act as a contractor in this state if, upon application to the board, the military spouse satisfies all of the following conditions:

               1. holds a current license, certification, or registration from another jurisdiction, and that jurisdiction’s requirements for licensure, certification or registration are substantially equivalent to or exceed the requirements for licensure or registration in this state;

               2.  can demonstrate competency to act as a contractor through methods determined by the board such as, but not limited to, having completed continuing education units or having had recent experience in the classification or subclassification for which a license or registration is being sought;

               3. has not been disciplined in any jurisdiction for an act that would have constituted grounds for refusal, suspension, or revocation of a license or registration to act as a contactor in this state at the time the act was committed;

               4.  is in good standing and has not been disciplined by the agency that issued the license, certification, or permit.

    D.    The board shall issue a temporary practice permit to a military-trained applicant or military spouse licensed, certified, or registered in another jurisdiction while the military-trained applicant or military spouse is satisfying the requirements for licensure or registration, if that jurisdiction has licensure, certification, or registration standards substantially equivalent to the standards for licensure or registration in this state. The military-trained applicant or military spouse may practice under the temporary permit until a license or registration is granted, or until a notice to deny a license or registration is issued in accordance with §717.

    E.     The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any applicant receiving a dishonorable discharge or a military spouse whose spouse received a dishonorable discharge.

There are no continuing education requirements for commercial, mold, or home improvement contractors/registrants.

There are continuing education requirements for residential building contractors. A residential building contractor is required to complete a minimum of six (6) hours of continuing education annually by a board-approved provider (click HERE to view providers).  The contractor will maintain their education certificate for a five-year  period and provide copies to this office, if requested.  If the residential building contractor also holds a valid, current commercial license in one or more of the major classifications of 1) Building Construction; 2) Highway, Street and Bridge Construction; 3) Heavy Construction; 4) or Municipal and Public Works Construction, the six-hour requirement is considered to have been met.

When determining if a contractor’s license is needed, the law requires that the cost of labor and materials be combined to assess the total project amount (no matter who supplies the materials). If the total project amount exceeds $50,000 for commercial projects, $10,000 for plumbing, electrical & HVAC, and $7,500 for residential projects, a contractor’s license is required.

LSLBC does have Subcontract Labor Only specialty classifications for commercial and residential subcontractors who perform labor only and do not bid on or manage projects. There are no trade exams for subcontract labor only specialty classifications.

To obtain these classifications, the subcontractor must submit the following:

• A completed, initial, signed and notarized Commercial or Residential application
• A completed Subcontract Labor Only form – this form to be completed by the subcontractor/applicant and a licensed general contractor.
• Submit the necessary documents and fees that are also listed in the application packet

Please click on the following links to obtain the Subcontract Labor Only form which will also include the application.

• Subcontract Labor Only-Commercial
• Subcontract Labor Only-Residential

If you are performing plumbing work valued at $10,000 or more including labor and materials, the law requires that you also hold a commercial plumbing license with the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors.

A Commercial license does not allow you to build a single residential home. A Residential license with the Residential Building Contractor classification is required for new home construction.

All bids, contracts, and advertisements must be in your properly licensed name. If you use a DBA, you must contract in your properly licensed name but you may add the name of your DBA behind the licensed name.

Example 1: If John Doe Smith holds a license in his individual name, he can bid, contract and perform work using a DBA as follows: John Doe Smith DBA Smith Contractors.

Example 2: If John Doe Smith holds a license in his individual name, the license in his individual name is not valid for his company John Smith LLC. John Smith LLC will need a license in its own name.

Example 3: If John Smith LLC holds a license in the company’s name but wants to operate using a DBA. The company can bid, contract and perform work using a DBA as follows: John Smith LLC DBA Smith Contractors.

Registration with the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office does not qualify you to perform construction work in Louisiana. Being registered with the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office only gives your company the authority to operate a business in Louisiana and also generally for state sales tax purposes.

A Louisiana state contractor’s license/registration is required if you contract, bid, or perform work where to total project value including labor and materials exceeds the  minimum threshold to hold a commercial license, residential license, mold remediation license, or an home improvement registration in the state of Louisiana. Information about each license or registration, the minimum threshold amounts, and the requirements for licensure please see our License Types and Information page at: http://www.lslbc.louisiana.gov/license-types-and-information/.

An occupational license is NOT a contractor’s license. An occupational license only gives you or your company the authority to operate a business in that city/parish and it’s generally for local sales tax purposes.

A Louisiana state contractor’s license/registration is required if you contract, bid, or perform work where to total project value including labor and materials exceeds the  minimum threshold to hold a commercial license, residential license, mold remediation license, or an home improvement registration in the state of Louisiana. Information about each license or registration, the minimum threshold amounts, and the requirements for licensure please see our License Types and Information page at: http://www.lslbc.louisiana.gov/license-types-and-information/.

Louisiana State Contractors’ licensing law allows an owner to build their primary residence without a license. You must live in this home. You cannot build a home to rent or sell without a license. Louisiana State Contractors’ licensing law also allows an owner to build structures adjacent to their primary residence without a license, such as a shed. Visit your local permit office to obtain permits and a homeowner exemption form.

If you wish to build a home/dwelling on property you own that will not be used as your primary residence a licensed general contractor and any subcontractors on the project must be licensed.

Any licensed contractor with any of the following major classifications shall be able to bid and perform any such project specified for construction and/or program management within the scope of the classification(s) they hold: Building Construction or Heavy Construction or Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction or Municipal and Public Works Construction. (Section 309 of the Rules and Regulations of the Board)

If you are just furnishing material or equipment, you are considered a manufacturer or supplier, and no license is required.  Under normal circumstances, a supplier can ship the product to a jobsite with no further involvement on the project.  However, if you bid to furnish and install, even if you plan to hire a licensed contractor to do the installation for you, your firm is required to hold a license.

A subcontractor who wishes to bid or perform commercial work where the total cost of the project including labor and materials for the following must be licensed with this Board:

• $50,000 or more for major and specialty classifications
• $10,000 or more for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing
• $1 or more for hazardous 

A subcontractor who wishes to bid or perform residential work (new construction) where the total cost of the project including labor and materials in the amount of $7,500 or more must be properly licensed with this Board.

All parties in a joint venture are required to be licensed at the time the bid is submitted.  Each party to the joint venture may only perform within the applicable classifications of the work of which he is properly classified to perform. (Section 307 of the Rules and Regulations of the Board)

There are no provisions in the Louisiana Contractor’s License Law to allow for a “temporary” license

A contractor’s license or registration is required before you can bid, contract, or perform work. Click HERE for additional information about each type of license/registration.

On average, it takes 4 weeks for an in-state license to be issued and 8 weeks for an out-of-state license to be issued.  There is a sixty-day waiting period for out-of-state contractors, which begins on the date the application is received.  The amount of time required to process a license depends on several factors, including whether or not all required paperwork and fees are submitted and the required exam(s) are passed.

The license belongs to the licensee, as: a corporate license belongs to the corporation; a partnership license belongs to the partnership; a limited liability company license belongs to the limited liability company, etc.; and an individual license belongs to the individual, regardless of the status of the qualifying party of the entity.

All applications for Mold Remediation, Commercial, Home Improvement and Residential are available at www.lslbc.louisiana.gov/contractors/forms/

The board requires home improvement, residential, and mold remediation applicants to submit proof of insurance coverage before a license or registration can be issued. You must maintain continuous insurance coverage while holding an active license or registration. You must provide current insurance certificates to the board upon renewal of the license. Failure to submit these documents can cause  a delay in the application or renewal process.

The board requires home improvement, residential, and mold remediation applicants to submit proof of insurance coverage before a license or registration can be issued. You must maintain continuous insurance coverage while holding an active license or registration. You must provide current insurance certificates to the board upon renewal of the license. Failure to submit these documents can cause a delay in the application or renewal process.

The board requires residential, home improvement, and mold remediation applicants to submit proof of insurance coverage before a license or registration can be issued. You must maintain continuous insurance coverage while holding an active license or registration. You must provide current insurance certificates to the board upon renewal of the registration. Failure to submit these documents can cause  a delay in the application or renewal process.

“Qualifying party” means a natural person designated by the contractor to represent the contractor for the purpose of complying with the provisions in the Contractors Licensing Law and Rules and Regulations including without limitation meeting the requirements for the initial license and/or any continuation thereof.  A qualifying party is the person who holds the exam scores, and is not the owner of the license unless he/she is a sole proprietor.

 A qualifying party must meet one of the eligibility requirements and documentation must be provided to verify the eligibility of the qualifying party.  

The following are the eligibility requirements to be a Qualifying Party:

No limit is set on the number of qualifying parties a company may have.

An owner of a company may be allowed to be the qualifying party for any company that he/she owns.

An employee may be allowed to be the qualifying party for the licensed company and related entities.

LSLBC now has an interactive Contractor Portal for all qualifying parties. Qualifying Parties will now use this portal to register for the exam. The Qualifying Party will be emailed an Exam Approval Notice after the qualifying party has been approved for the exams. The approval notice will contain the link to their portal, User ID and Password.

An exam/administrative fee is required for each classification and for Business and Law.

This fee is required whether or not you have previously tested.

If you are applying as an LLC, Corporation or Limited Partnership, you must register your company with the Louisiana Secretary of State.

Yes, as long as the labor and materials do not exceed $75,000.

Water extraction, carpet removal, damaged drywall removal do NOT require a license from LSLBC.

Mold remediation and rebuilding a structure DO require licensure with this agency.

Please view our brochure for more information.

LSLBC now has an interactive Contractor Portal for all qualifying parties. Qualifying Parties will now use this portal to make changes to their address, phone number, fax number, email address or website address. The following link is to the LSLBC Contractor Portal:

https://arlspublic.lslbc.louisiana.gov

LSLBC now has an interactive Contractor Portal for all licensed/registered contractors. Contractors will now use this portal to make changes to their address, phone number, fax number, email address or website address. The following link is to the LSLBC Contractor Portal:

https://arlspublic.lslbc.louisiana.gov

Click HERE for information on how to verify your license.

1. Submit the completed form called “Adding a Qualifying Party to an Existing License” and the completed, initialed, signed and notarized form called “Application for Qualifying Party”. Click HERE to download the forms.
2. Submit required fees (as listed on the Adding a Qualifying Party form)

After we process the required documents and fees, we will send the testing information by email to the new qualifying party if an exam is required.

The following must be submitted to add a classification to the license:

1. Submit the completed form called “Adding a Classification to an Existing License”. Click HERE to download the form.
2. Submit required fees (as listed on the Adding a Classification form)

*If the qualifying party representing the additional classification(s), isn’t currently listed on the license as a qualifying party the following must also be submitted:

3. Submit a completed, initial, signed and notarized “Application for Qualifying Party”. Click HERE to download the form.

After we process the required documents and fees, we will send the testing information by email to the qualifying party if an exam is required for the classification being added. The request to add a classification to your license will then be submitted to the Board for approval at the next available board meeting.

Note: Residential classifications can only be added to the residential license. The mold remediation classification can only be listed on the mold remediation license.

In accordance with Section 113 of the Rules and Regulations of the Board, when the qualifying party terminates employment with the licensee, the licensee must notify the board, in writing, within 30 days of the disassociation and another party must qualify within 60 days of the disassociation.

If your firm has undergone a qualifying party change, the following must be submitted prior to updating the license:

1. Submit the completed form called “Disassociation of a Qualifying Party” notifying the board of the disassociation of the qualifying party and the replacement qualifying party to be added. Click HERE to download the form.
2. Submit the completed, initialed, signed and notarized form called “Application for Qualifying Party”. Click HERE to download the form.
3. Submit required fees (as listed on the Disassociation of a Qualifying Party form)

After we process the required documents and fees, we will send the testing information by email to the new qualifying party if an exam is required.

Commercial, Residential and Mold Remediation ownership change fee is $100.
Home Improvement Registration ownership change fee is $40.

The purchaser must have purchased/assumed ALL assets and liabilities; otherwise, a new application is required.

The following must be submitted prior to updating the license/registration:

1. Copy of the signed, executed change of ownership document (sale, divorce decree, donation, will, transfer of ownership, etc.);
2. Written verification of the status of the qualifying party(ies);
3. Payment for the appropriate ownership change fee (see above); Cash cannot be accepted.
4. Cover letter with license/registration number(s), contact person, and contact telephone number, including extension.
5. If a new owner is added to the company, please provide the new owner’s full social security number (or FEIN if owner is a business entity) and date of birth. This can be included on the cover letter.

To submit the documents and credit card info for payment by email, please email to mhurst@lslbc.louisiana.gov.

Commercial, Residential and Mold Remediation merger fee is $100.
Home Improvement Registration merger fee is $40.

If the surviving entity is currently licensed, the following must be submitted prior to updating the license/registration:

1. Copy of the signed, executed plan of merger;
2. Must notify the Louisiana Secretary of State of the merger and the merger must be reflected on their website. (This is required even for out-of-state companies.);
3. Payment for the appropriate merger fee (see above); Cash cannot be accepted;
4. Cover letter with license/registration number(s), contact person, and contact telephone number, including extension.

Note: If the surviving entity is not a licensed business entity with the state of Louisiana, the surviving entity must submit a new application and the non-surviving entity’s license will be terminated. (We cannot accept applications by email or fax.)

To submit the documents and credit card info for payment by email, please email to mhurst@lslbc.louisiana.gov.

Commercial, Residential and Mold Remediation conversion fee is $100.
Home Improvement Registration conversion fee is $40.

The following must be submitted prior to updating the license/registration:

1. Copy of the signed, executed plan of conversion;
2. Must notify the Louisiana Secretary of State of the conversion and the conversion must be reflected on their website. (This is required even for out-of-state companies.);
3. Copy of the Articles of Incorporation (if the converted entity is a corporation), the Articles of Organization (if the converted entity is an LLC), or a copy of the partnership agreement (if the converted entity is a partnership);
4. Payment for the appropriate conversion fee (see above); Cash cannot be accepted;
5. Provide proof by certificate of current General Liability and Workers’ Compensation insurance in the new name;
   1. Required for Residential, Home Improvement and Mold Remediation licenses ONLY
   2. This is NOT required for Commercial licenses
   3. Your insurance agent must directly email these certificates to insurance@lslbc.louisiana.gov.  
6. Cover letter with license/registration number(s), contact person, and contact telephone number, including extension.

To submit the documents and credit card info for payment by email, please email to mhurst@lslbc.louisiana.gov.

Commercial, Residential and Mold Remediation name change fee is $100.
Home Improvement Registration name change fee is $40.

In the state of Louisiana, contractors must bid, contract, and perform in the exact name as shown on the current records (Section 133 of the Rules and Regulations of the Board).  Any changes made to a company’s name must be submitted to the Board, if unrelated to a merger or conversion.  

Note: You CANNOT change from a sole proprietorship to a business entity with the current license. A new license/registration application is required if changing from a sole proprietor to a business entity.

The following must be submitted prior to updating the license/registration:

1. If LLC, Inc. or LP, must notify the Louisiana Secretary of State of the name change and the new name must be reflected on their website. (This is required even for out-of-state companies.);
2. If General Partnership, provide a copy of legal documentation signed by all partners consenting to the name change;
3. If Sole Proprietor (licensed in individual name), provide a copy of legal documentation reflecting the name change such as a copy of a marriage license or court order changing the name of the sole proprietor;
4. Payment for the appropriate name change fee (see above); Cash cannot be accepted;
5. Provide proof by certificate of current General Liability and Workers’ Compensation insurance in the new name;
   1. Required for Residential, Home Improvement and Mold Remediation licenses ONLY
   2. This is NOT required for Commercial licenses
   3. Your insurance agent must directly email these certificates to insurance@lslbc.louisiana.gov.  
6. Cover letter with license/registration number(s), contact person, and contact telephone number, including extension.

To submit the documents and credit card info for payment by email, please email to mhurst@lslbc.louisiana.gov.

The following must be submitted prior to updating the officers for the Corporation:  

1. A letter on company letterhead with license/registration number(s), contact person, and contact telephone number, including extension and a list of the current officers for the company.

1. 1. If possible, please limit the officers to President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary.
   2. You must include the full social security number and date of birth for each officer

1.  
2. The letter may be scanned and emailed to mhurst@lslbc.louisiana.gov.

Note: There are no required fees for a change in officers. However, if the change in officers resulted from a change in ownership, merger or conversion then please see the FAQ on how to report a change in ownership, merger or conversion for a list of additional documents and fees.

You cannot transfer a license from an individual to a company or from one company to another.

LSLBC now has an interactive Contractor Portal for all licensed/registered contractors. Contractors will now use this portal to print a copy(ies) of their license and/or registration. The following link is to the LSLBC Contractor Portal:

https://arlspublic.lslbc.louisiana.gov

Once the license/registration is issued the initial license certificate will be valid for one year, then you may renew your license for a one, two, or three year period; however, Home Improvement registrations can only be renewed for a one-year period.

• A Renewal notice will be emailed or mailed to the address on record approximately 60 days prior to the expiration, 15 days prior to expiration and upon expiration of the license.
• For Residential, Mold Remediation and Home Improvement: you must provide proof of general liability and workers’ compensation insurance coverage upon renewal of the license.
  • Insurance certificate(s) should be emailed directly from the insurance agent to insurance@lslbc.louisiana.gov.
  • Note: Failure to submit these documents can delay the renewal of the license.

• For Residential, Mold Remediation and Home Improvement:  you must maintain continuous insurance coverage while holding an active license with this board.
• You must maintain a current address with this Board.
• You must maintain a Qualifying Party for all classifications listed on your license.
• If you are a residential building contractor, you are required to complete a minimum of six hours of continuing education annually by a board approved provider.
  • The contractor will maintain their education certificates for a five-year period and provide copies to this office if requested.
  • Click HERE for exceptions to the continuing education requirement.