Louisiana General Contractor License
What "General Contractor License" Actually Means in Louisiana
Louisiana doesn't issue a credential literally called a "general contractor license." The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) issues commercial and residential construction licenses, each carrying its own set of major classifications and subclassifications. When people search for a general contractor license, they're usually looking for the credential that lets them bid on and manage full construction projects — and in Louisiana, that means either a commercial or residential license depending on the type of structure.
The dividing line is the building itself: residential covers single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes up to three stories. Everything else — commercial buildings, industrial facilities, multi-family with five or more units, and public works — falls under the commercial path.
The commercial path begins at $50,000 or more; residential construction requires a state license for projects above $50,000 (labor and materials combined).
Commercial vs. Residential: Choosing the Right Path
The path you need depends on where your revenue comes from.
Residential Construction License holders can build new ground-up homes and perform home improvement projects exceeding $50,000. The LSLBC requires residential licensees to file $500,000 in general liability insurance (raised from $100,000 by Act 757 in 2026) and workers' compensation certificates directly with the board.
Commercial License holders cover everything from tenant build-outs and warehouses to highway construction and municipal infrastructure. A significant advantage: commercial licensees are exempt from filing insurance certificates with the LSLBC. You still need coverage — local parishes and project owners demand it — but the board isn't the gatekeeper.
Both paths require a qualifying party who passes the Business and Law course (administered online through the LSLBC portal) plus a trade-specific exam through PSI Services.
Financial Requirements
Every initial applicant must submit a CPA-prepared financial statement demonstrating a minimum net worth of $50,000 for commercial or residential licenses, or $25,000 for Home Improvement and Mold Remediation.
This is net worth, not cash on hand. Business assets, equipment, and receivables count toward the total. If you fall short, Louisiana statute R.S. 37:2156.1 allows you to bridge the gap with an Irrevocable Letter of Credit from a bank — the LSLBC does not require a state-level surety bond, despite what several national bonding sites claim.
Application fees are capped by statute: $100 licensing fee, $50 examination fee, and $50 for home improvement.
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Classifications Worth Knowing
The LSLBC organizes commercial work under major classifications like Building Construction, Highway/Street/Bridge Construction, Heavy Construction, and Municipal/Public Works. Each has subclassifications — drywall, concrete, roofing, steel erection, and dozens more.
The commercial Building Construction classification accepts the NASCLA (National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies) accredited exam, which also satisfies trade testing requirements in reciprocal states. If you plan to work across state lines, this is worth knowing.
For residential, the major classification covers full ground-up builds. Subclassifications include Residential Swimming Pools and, since January 1, 2026 under Act 422, Residential Roofing — any roof work valued at $7,500 or more now requires either the full Residential Construction license or the specific Residential Roofing classification.
The Part Most People Miss: Parish Permits
An LSLBC license authorizes you to act as a contractor in Louisiana. It does not authorize you to start construction on any specific site. Every parish and municipality retains independent authority over building permits, zoning approvals, and occupational license taxes.
In New Orleans, you register through the One Stop App and pay a parish occupational license fee. In East Baton Rouge, you'll need a separate local contractor bond ($10,000 for general contractors) and an occupational license tax. West Baton Rouge enforces the 2021 International Building and Residential Codes and charges double fees if construction starts before a permit is issued.
The state license is the prerequisite. Parish permits are the second layer. Operating with one but not the other puts you on the wrong side of both regulators.
Getting the Full Licensing Sequence Right
The order in which you complete these steps matters. Filing your LLC before securing your CPA financial statement wastes time if the entity structure doesn't support the net worth calculation. Scheduling your trade exam before the LSLBC issues your Authorization to Test wastes the exam fee.
Our Louisiana General Contractor License Guide maps the entire sequence from business formation through GeauxBIZ, CPA financial preparation, LSLBC portal submission, qualifying party verification, trade testing, insurance procurement, and parish permit coordination — in the order that prevents backtracking.
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Download the Louisiana — General Contractor License Requirements Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.