Louisiana Contractor License Classifications
Louisiana's state credential surface has three families: the LSLBC commercial major classifications (examination-based, qualifying party required), the residential family (Residential Construction and its subclassifications, with insurance and continuing education) and the Home Improvement registration (no exam, $7,500–$75,000). There is no registration-only shortcut for new home construction — a commercial license "does not allow you to build a single residential home."
01 Classification by value, exam by default
- All classifications require an exam, credential, or both — "unless otherwise noted" (rule §301.E); Home Improvement is the noted exception. (Rule LA-REQUIREMENTS.) S-LA-BLUE-BOOK
- The thresholds are classification-specific — $50,000 default; $10,000 EM&P; $1 hazardous; $75,000 residential; $7,500 home improvement, pools, mold and roofing. (Rule LA-THRESHOLDS.) S-LA-BLUE-BOOK
- The residential family carries insurance + CE — $100,000 GL + workers' compensation at every renewal; 6 hours of annual CE. (Rules LA-INSURANCE, LA-CE.) S-LA-BLUE-BOOKS-LA-FAQ
02 Commercial contractor licenses — LSLBC major classifications (La. R.S. § 2156.1A)
Statute verbatim: performing or assuming charge of construction 'for the wiring, fixtures, or appliances for the supply of electricity to any residential, commercial, or other project, for which the project value is ten thousand dollars or more.' Rule §301.14: 'A license is required when the value exceeds $10,000.' Low-voltage/telecom work penetratrs the building envelope is included; 'Electrical is not required for the purchase or installation of non-attached equipment, which merely involves plugging equipment into an existing wall outlet.'
Rule §301.3 verbatim: 'the building, maintenance, repair, raising, leveling, development, or demolition of any and all structures as well as the landscaping, earthwork, parking areas, driveways, sidewalks, etc.' Rule §301.F: 'A license is required when the project cost exceeds $50,000 except where otherwise noted.' A licensee holding a major classification may estimate, bid, quote, and perform any scope of work in any of its subclassifications.
Rule §301.47 verbatim: 'the construction, installation, maintenance, or repair of potable and non-potable tap water and/or sewer water systems within a building structure or house. A license is required when the value exceeds $10,000.' The Mechanical definition adds: 'A mechanical contractor who performs plumbing work with a value over $10,000 must possess a master plumber license with the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana.'
03 Residential contractor licenses — LSLBC residential family
Rule §301.50 verbatim: 'the construction of a residential structure as defined in 37:2150.1(16), when the cost of the undertaking exceeds $75,000. Residential Construction also refers to home improvement contracting as provided for in 37:2150.1(8) when the cost of the undertaking exceeds $75,000 dollars.' § 2150.1(22): a residential structure is 'used primarily for occupancy by a person as a residence … single family dwellings, and duplexes which are not more than three floors in height'; a structure more than three floors requires both building construction AND residential construction licenses.
§ 2156.4(A) verbatim: 'On and after January 1, 2026, any person who advertises, solicits, undertakes, attempts, offers, or submits a price, bid, quote or estimate to construct, supervise, direct, oversee, or perform any construction, modification, repair, or maintenance of any portion of a roofing system on a residential structure for which the project value is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more shall hold the classification of Residential Roofing or Residential Construction.' § 2156.4(B): the residential roofing trade examination must be passed. § 2156.4(C): 'Residential roofing is a subclassification of residential construction.' § 2150.1(20) defines residential roofing at a project value of $7,500 or more.
04 Home Improvement registration — LSLBC (no exam)
Rule §301.26 verbatim: 'the reconstruction, alteration, renovation, repair, modernization, conversion, improvement, removal, demolition, or the construction of an addition to any pre-existing building which is used or designed to be used as a residence or dwelling unit or to any structure which is adjacent to such residence or building. No examination or credential is required. A license is required when the value exceeds $7,500. Home improvement is limited to a value of $75,000.'