Louisiana Contractor License Application

What You Need Before Opening the Portal

For an entity application, the LSLBC Contractor Portal won't let you submit a complete application unless you've already gathered several documents from other agencies. Here's the full list, in the order you should obtain them:

A sole proprietor may instead apply under a personal Social Security number rather than form a business entity and obtain an EIN.

From the Secretary of State (GeauxBIZ portal):

• Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws (corporation)
• Charter Number — a mandatory field on the LSLBC application

From the IRS:

• Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)

From your CPA:

• Notarized financial statement showing minimum net worth of $50,000 (commercial/residential) or $25,000 (Home Improvement/Mold Remediation)
• Must be a compilation or formal review by an independent CPA for major classifications
• Dated within 12 months of submission

From your qualifying party:

• Social Security number, date of birth, and background disclosure information (entered separately in the portal after initial submission)

Gathering these before you start the application prevents the most common delay: submitting an incomplete application and waiting weeks for the board to request missing items.

Submitting Through the LSLBC Portal

The application is submitted online through the LSLBC Contractor Portal. During submission you'll:

1. Select your license type (Commercial, Residential Construction, Mold Remediation, or Home Improvement)
2. Specify your desired classifications and subclassifications
3. For an entity application, upload your Articles of Organization/Incorporation and CPA financial statement
4. Pay the statutory application fees

Application Fees

Fees are capped by Louisiana statute:

• $100 licensing fee
• $50 examination fee
• $50 home improvement fee (if applying for HIC registration)

These are paid at the time of submission. The trade exam itself carries a separate fee ($120–$175) paid directly to PSI Services when you schedule.

After You Submit

Once the LSLBC processes your initial application, the portal generates login credentials for each designated qualifying party, sent from [email protected]. Each qualifier must log in and complete the Qualifying Party Verification, which includes the background disclosure.

The board reviews criminal background records — a conviction doesn't mean automatic denial, but offenses related to contracting, financial fraud, or false records are closely evaluated. Outstanding child support delinquencies will bar someone from serving as a qualifying party until resolved.

After the qualifier clears background review, the LSLBC issues an Examination Approval Notice (Authorization to Test) via email. Only then can the qualifier register with PSI Services and schedule the trade exam.

Processing Timeline

The LSLBC doesn't publish a guaranteed processing timeline. Applications with complete documentation move faster than those requiring follow-up. Based on the typical workflow:

• Initial application review: variable (depends on board workload and completeness)
• Qualifying party verification: processed after initial review
• Examination approval: issued after qualifier clears
• Post-exam license issuance: after all exams passed, background cleared, and insurance filed

The biggest controllable factor in processing time is submitting a complete application the first time. Missing documents, incorrect financial statements, or an entity structure that doesn't match the qualifying party designation all trigger delays.

Common Rejection Reasons

• Net worth below threshold: Using the outdated $10,000 figure instead of the current $50,000 (commercial/residential) or $25,000 (HIC/mold)
• Unnotarized financial statement: The CPA statement must be notarized
• Missing Charter Number: For entity applicants, the Secretary of State registration must be completed before applying
• Qualifier not eligible: The qualifying party must fit one of the categories under La. R.S. § 37:2156.1D(1) — sole proprietor, active partner, LLC member/manager, corporate officer, or full-time W-2 employee
• Insurance not filed: Residential, HIC, and Mold Remediation applicants must have $500,000 GL (since Act 757) and workers' comp certificates sent to the LSLBC by the insurance broker

Our Louisiana General Contractor License Guide includes a document assembly worksheet that maps every required document to its source agency, so you can gather everything before opening the portal.

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