Louisiana General Contractor License Requirements (2026)

The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) licenses general contractors statewide under La. R.S. 37:2150 et seq. A license is required for any commercial project valued at $50,000 or more, any residential project valued at $75,000 or more, and any project involving hazardous materials regardless of value (the threshold is $1). LSLBC issues classifications including Building Construction, Heavy Construction, Highway/Street/Bridge, Municipal/Public Works, and numerous Specialty designations. Each classification requires a separate trade examination, plus the Louisiana Business and Law examination. NASCLA Accredited Examination scores are accepted in lieu of the Louisiana trade exam for the Building Construction classification only.

Regulatory Body Profile

Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) is the statutory authority responsible for issuing and enforcing this license under La. R.S. 37:2150 et seq.; LAC Title 46:XXIX (LSLBC rules). LSLBC licenses commercial, residential, and specialty contractors statewide, administers classification examinations through PSI/ICC, and conducts disciplinary proceedings under La. R.S. 37:2150 et seq.

Official portal: https://www.lslbc.louisiana.gov/
Address: 2525 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Phone: (225) 765-2301

The Eligibility Audit

Eligibility begins with two baseline checks: the applicant must be 18 or older and must provide a valid Social Security Number. No Louisiana residency requirement; out-of-state firms must register with the Louisiana Secretary of State and appoint a registered agent.

Good moral character

LSLBC reviews each qualifying party for fitness. Felony convictions and prior license revocations are reviewed individually by the Board.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the application; LSLBC may request additional documentation or court records.

Experience and Education Standards

The sources cited here stop short of naming a year requirement; the operative standard is no fixed years requirement for the general Building Construction classification; the qualifying party must demonstrate practical knowledge sufficient to pass the trade exam, and a sworn financial statement is the central qualification document.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement showing minimum $10,000 net worth
Resume of the qualifying party detailing project history
References from prior project owners or general contractors

Education substitution

No formal education substitution; relevant construction degrees support the qualifying party narrative but do not waive the examination.

The Exam Syllabus

Testing is handled by PSI Services LLC and ICC (under contract to LSLBC). The applicant has to pass each part listed here before the credential is granted:

Louisiana Business and Law Examination — 50 questions, 120 minutes, passing score 70%
Louisiana Building Construction Trade Examination (or NASCLA Accredited Examination) — 115 questions, 330 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $120 per exam part paid to PSI on the day of testing.

Retake policy: Failed parts may be re-taken individually after a 30-day wait by paying a new $120 fee. Each application remains valid for one year from filing.

Bonding, Insurance & Financial Security

No statewide contractor license surety bond is required for this credential in the cited sources. Project-specific, permit, or public-works bonds may still apply, so confirm bonding before bidding a given job.

General liability

LSLBC does not impose a state-level general liability minimum. Most public works and commercial owners contractually require $1,000,000/$2,000,000.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory in Louisiana under La. R.S. 23:1031 et seq. for any business with one or more employees, with no small-employer exemption.

Additional financial requirements

Minimum $10,000 net worth verified by a sworn CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement filed with the application. Statements older than twelve months are rejected.

Schedule of Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$100
Examination	$240
Initial license	$100
Renewal (every year)	$100

Renewal and Continuing Obligations

The Louisiana Commercial / Residential Contractor (LSLBC) runs on a year renewal cycle. The current renewal fee is $100. Louisiana contractor licenses renew annually on the anniversary date.

Continuing education: No state-mandated continuing education for the general contractor license.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Louisiana General Contractor License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Out-of-State Reciprocity

For this classification, Louisiana recognizes the NASCLA Accredited Examination.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Alabama	Trade exam waived	Bilateral LSLBC–Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors reciprocity for active commercial contractors in good standing.
Mississippi	Trade exam waived	Bilateral LSLBC–Mississippi State Board of Contractors reciprocity for active commercial contractors.
Texas	Trade exam waived	Bilateral reciprocity for residential builders registered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation where applicable.
Arkansas	Trade exam waived	Bilateral LSLBC–Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board reciprocity for active commercial contractors.

LSLBC accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination in lieu of the Louisiana trade exam for the Building Construction classification only. The Louisiana Business and Law examination is required even when the trade exam is waived through NASCLA or bilateral reciprocity.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares General Contractor license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

The Application Roadmap

Choose the classification. Building Construction, Heavy Construction, Highway/Street/Bridge, Municipal/Public Works, or Specialty. Building Construction is the most common general designation.
Form the legal entity and register. Out-of-state entities must register with the Louisiana Secretary of State and appoint a registered agent before applying.
Designate a qualifying party. The qualifying party must be an owner, officer, or full-time employee of the licensed entity and must sit for the trade exam.
Prepare the financial statement. CPA-reviewed or audited statement showing minimum $10,000 net worth, dated within the past twelve months.
Submit the LSLBC application. File with the application fee, financial statement, qualifying party designation, workers compensation certificate, and registered agent information.
Pass both exams at 70%. Louisiana Business and Law plus the trade exam (or NASCLA exam for Building Construction).
Receive the LSLBC license. LSLBC issues the license at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting after all requirements are met. The license must be renewed annually.

Recommended Study Materials

These materials are drawn from the regulator's own citations and the references applicants commonly use to prepare. CLR receives no compensation for listing them.

NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management — Louisiana edition — NASCLA. Standard reference for the Louisiana Business and Law portion.
International Building Code (current Louisiana-adopted edition) — International Code Council. Primary technical reference for the Building Construction trade exam. Open-book at the PSI test center.
La. R.S. 37:2150 et seq. and LAC Title 46:XXIX — State of Louisiana. Licensing law and Board rules.

Pre-Application Checklist

Have each of the following squared away before the packet goes to LSLBC:

☐ LSLBC application with $100 fee and qualifying party designation
☐ CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement showing $10,000 net worth
☐ Louisiana Business and Law exam pass certificate at 70%+
☐ Trade exam pass certificate or NASCLA exam transcript (Building Construction only)
☐ Workers compensation coverage certificate
☐ Louisiana Secretary of State registration and registered agent (out-of-state entities)
☐ Resume and references for the qualifying party

Where Applications Stall

The following pitfalls summarize the issues most likely to delay, return, or derail a Louisiana General Contractor application based on the published board instructions and source materials cited on this page.

Misjudging the project thresholds

Commercial $50,000, residential $75,000, hazardous materials $1. Bidding a $60,000 commercial job without a license is a criminal violation under La. R.S. 37:2160.

Stale financial statement

LSLBC rejects any financial statement older than twelve months. Order the CPA review early — it is the longest-lead item in the application.

Wrong classification

Each classification requires its own trade exam. A Building Construction license does not authorize Heavy Construction or Highway work.

Forgetting Secretary of State registration

Out-of-state entities must register with the Louisiana Secretary of State and appoint a registered agent before LSLBC will process the application.

Workers compensation gap

Louisiana requires workers compensation for any business with one or more employees, with no small-employer exemption. Lapses suspend the license.

Other Louisiana Trade Licenses

For a different Louisiana credential, see these companion guides published by CLR:

Common Questions

When do I need a Louisiana contractor license?

Any commercial project valued at $50,000 or more, any residential project valued at $75,000 or more, and any project involving hazardous materials regardless of dollar value (the threshold is $1) requires an LSLBC license under La. R.S. 37:2150 et seq.

What are the main Louisiana contractor classifications?

Building Construction, Heavy Construction, Highway/Street/Bridge, Municipal/Public Works, and Specialty (electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and others). Each classification requires its own trade examination.

Does Louisiana accept the NASCLA exam?

Yes for the Building Construction classification only. NASCLA Accredited Examination scores are accepted in lieu of the Louisiana trade exam, but the Louisiana Business and Law examination is still required.

What is the financial statement requirement?

A sworn CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement showing minimum $10,000 net worth, dated within the past twelve months, must accompany the application.

How often does the Louisiana contractor license renew?

Every year. Renewal requires payment of the $100 fee and current workers compensation coverage.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-05-01 · Next scheduled review 2026-07-30