Louisiana contractor license requirements

Licenses and registrations

Home Improvement Registration

Contractors doing home improvement work on existing residential structures, such as remodeling, kitchens, baths, painting, flooring and siding.

• When it applies: Project value of $7,500 or more and less than $50,000, including labor and materials. The statute defines a home improvement contractor by projects “at least seven thousand five hundred dollars but less than fifty thousand dollars” (La. R.S. 37:2150.1, as amended by Act 178 of 2024). Some LSLBC pages word the boundaries differently; the statute governs.
• Good to know: Does not cover swimming pools. Since Act 178, home improvement excludes structural work such as footings, foundations, exterior walls, load-bearing columns and walls, and floor slabs.

Residential Building Contractor License

Contractors building or remodeling homes with up to four dwelling units and up to three floors, including home improvement and structural work.

• When it applies: Residential projects of fifty thousand dollars or more (R.S. 37:2150.1 and 37:2161 as amended by Act 178 of 2024). The LSLBC’s own pages say “exceeding $50,000”; under the statute, a job of exactly $50,000 needs the residential license.
• Good to know: Residential swimming pool work requires a separate Residential Swimming Pools classification.

Commercial Contractor License

General contractors and specialty contractors on commercial projects.

• When it applies: Commercial projects valued at $50,000 or more, including labor and materials. Electrical, mechanical and plumbing work over $10,000 needs a commercial license with that classification. Asbestos, hazardous waste, lead-based paint abatement and underground storage tank work needs a license at $1.00 or more.
• Good to know: Some classifications require certifications from other agencies first.

Mold Remediation Contractor License

Contractors doing mold remediation.

• When it applies: Mold remediation projects of $7,500 or more (R.S. 37:2150.1).
• Good to know: Remediators need at least 24 hours of mold remediation training and 4 hours on unfair trade practices and consumer protection law from a board-approved provider.

What you need to qualify

• Exams: Residential and commercial licenses: the qualifying party must complete the Business and Law course/exam and pass a trade exam if applicable. No exam was listed for home improvement registration.
• Insurance: Residential license, home improvement registration and mold remediation license: general liability insurance and proof of workers' compensation coverage, with certificates emailed by the insurance agent directly to the board. Coverage must be continuous. The board says Act 757 of 2026 changed these insurance requirements, including policy type, duration and exclusions, effective August 1, 2026; confirm the current amounts with the board.
• Financial: Residential license: financial statement affidavit showing a minimum net worth of $10,000, current within 12 months. Commercial license: financial statement showing a minimum net worth of $10,000, current within 12 months.
• Also required: A qualifying party must be maintained for every classification on a residential or commercial license. Board approval is required before any license or registration is issued.

Fees, renewal and continuing education

• Renewal: The initial license or registration is valid for one year; renewals are available for one, two or three years. Proof of insurance is required at renewal.
• Continuing education: Residential building contractors must complete 6 hours of board-approved continuing education each year and keep certificates for five years. No CE requirement was listed for home improvement registration.

Contracts and homeowner protections

Every agreement for work that needs a license or registration, which includes home improvement work of $7,500 or more, must be a written contract with the contractor’s name, address and license number, a description of the work, the total price, everyone’s signatures and current insurance certificates; each party gets a signed copy, and no work may start before everyone signs (R.S. 37:2159). Subcontractors working for a residential or building construction license holder are exempt from licensing, except for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, mold remediation, asbestos and hazardous materials work.

Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work

Electrical, mechanical (HVAC) and plumbing contractors need an LSLBC commercial license with the matching classification for projects over $10,000. Individual plumber licensing by the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana and any local electrician licensing were not confirmed on an official page.

What to confirm with the state

We couldn't confirm these on an official page when we checked. Ask the licensing office before you rely on them:

• Penalties for unlicensed contracting (R.S. 37:2160 and related sections).
• Application, license and renewal fee amounts (not shown on the LSLBC pages we checked).
• Current insurance amounts for residential, home improvement and mold remediation licensees after Act 757 of 2026.
• Residential specialty classifications (for example residential roofing, framing, masonry) were not confirmed.
• Who licenses individual plumbers (State Plumbing Board of Louisiana) and electricians was not confirmed on an official page.
• Local parish or city licensing requirements.
• Whether a bond is required for any license class.

Sources

1. Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (home page)
2. Types of Licenses (commercial, residential, home improvement, mold remediation) - LSLBC
3. Residential Construction classification - LSLBC
4. Licensing Requirements for Contractors in Louisiana (PDF) - LSLBC
5. Mold Remediation classification - LSLBC
6. Mold Remediation Training Providers - LSLBC
7. Insurance Changes Pursuant to Act 757 of the 2026 Legislative Session - LSLBC
8. About Us - LSLBC
9. La. R.S. 37:2150.1, Definitions - Louisiana Legislature
10. La. R.S. 37:2159, Written contract required - Louisiana Legislature
11. SB392 (2024 RS) bill information - Louisiana Legislature
12. Act 178 of 2024 (text) - Louisiana Legislature
13. Act 178 of 2024 Resume Digest - Louisiana Legislature