Louisiana Board of Contractors: Complete LSLBC Lookup, Application & Consumer Guide
The agency most people mean by “Louisiana Board of Contractors” is the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC). Louisiana does not use one universal license for every construction project: project value, residential versus commercial work, roofing, mold, specialty work and classification all matter.
This page is designed to help you actually complete the task: verify a contractor, identify the right credential, prepare the application packet, use the correct PDF, schedule an exam, find a local permit office, check Louisiana-specific grants and protections, renew a license or file a documented complaint.
Louisiana Contractor License Rules: The 60-Second Answer
Before deciding whether a Louisiana contractor credential is required, calculate the entire project value. Louisiana law treats project value broadly: labor, materials, rentals and direct and indirect expenses count even when another party pays for an item or provides it.
Louisiana Contractor License Lookup: Exactly What to Do After Opening LSLBC
The LSLBC search is useful only when you know how to interpret it. LSLBC specifically warns that only currently licensed or registered contractors appear in ordinary search results and that recently changed information may not yet be reflected.
- Choose Contractor License Number if you have the number from the estimate, contract or advertisement.
- If you do not have the number, use Contractor Name and type the legal business name rather than a nickname.
- If too many results appear, use City/Town, Parish, Type of Contractor or Qualifying Party.
- Open the exact matching contractor record.
- Compare the legal name with the proposal, contract, invoice, permit application and entity requesting payment.
- Check the credential type: Commercial, Residential, Home Improvement, Mold Remediation or another applicable category.
- Review the classification or subclassification and ask whether it actually covers your work.
- Record any qualifying-party information shown.
- Save a dated screenshot or PDF for your own project records.
- Open the separate Contractor Violations page before a large project.
- Recheck the live record shortly before a major payment or project start if time has passed.
How to Verify a Louisiana Contractor Without Missing the Important Records
Collect the identity before searching
Ask for the complete legal contracting name, LSLBC license/registration number, business address, the person who will sign the contract and the name that will receive payment.
Search LSLBC by number first
Use the official search and confirm you have the exact business. Do not stop because a similar company name appears.
Match the credential to the project value
Use the project-value table below. A $9,000 home-improvement project, a $70,000 addition and an $8,500 reroof can require different credential routes.
Match the classification to the work
Open LSLBC’s Exams & Classifications page. A contractor being “licensed” does not mean every classification is present.
Check the business identity
For an LLC, corporation or other registered entity, compare the LSLBC name with Louisiana Secretary of State records. LSLBC does not recognize DBA, trade or fictitious names as the licensing name.
Review violations separately
Open LSLBC Contractor Violations and search the same legal identity. A licensing record and enforcement history are separate checks.
Verify insurance when the credential requires it
For Residential Construction, Home Improvement and Mold Remediation, compare the insured legal name and current dates. The August 2026 minimum liability rule is $500,000 for covered routes.
Verify permits with the local jurisdiction
A state license does not prove that a building, electrical, mechanical or plumbing permit exists. Use the local permit desk later in this guide.
Louisiana Project License Route Resolver
Enter the entire project value, not merely the contractor’s labor charge. This tool is an independent planning aid; the current law, LSLBC and local authorities control the final requirement.
Which Louisiana Contractor License or Registration Applies?
| Project | Current trigger | Credential to check | What users commonly get wrong |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial construction | $50,000 or more total project value. | Commercial contractor license + correct classification. | Looking only at the contractor’s labor charge instead of total project value. |
| New residential structure | $50,000 or more. | Residential Construction. | Assuming a Commercial Building classification automatically authorizes construction of a single residential home. |
| Existing-home nonstructural improvement | At least $7,500 but less than $50,000. | Home Improvement registration or another credential that legally covers the work. | Treating Home Improvement as authority for structural work or roofing systems. |
| Existing-home project at $50,000+ | $50,000 or more. | Residential Construction route. | Trying to keep the project under a Home Improvement registration by splitting invoices. |
| Residential roofing | $7,500 or more. | Residential Roofing or Residential Construction. | Using Home Improvement or an old commercial-roofing assumption after the Jan. 1, 2026 change. |
| Mold remediation | $7,500 or more. | Mold Remediation. | Assuming an ordinary remodeling credential automatically covers regulated mold remediation. |
| Electrical, mechanical or plumbing contracting | $10,000 or more under the current contractor-law definitions. | Applicable LSLBC commercial classification plus other trade/local requirements where applicable. | Ignoring individual trade credentials, permits or local competency registration. |
| Covered hazardous-material classification | $1 or more. | Applicable Hazardous Materials classification. | Using the ordinary $50,000 commercial threshold for hazardous-material work. |
- Do not immediately click Apply.
- Read the description for Commercial, Residential, Home Improvement or Mold Remediation.
- Write down your total project value and exact work scope.
- Then open Exams & Classifications to identify the classification.
- Only after those two decisions should you start an application.
Owner-Builders, Material Suppliers, Joint Ventures and Other Common Louisiana Questions
Owner building a primary residence
Current LSLBC FAQ guidance allows an owner to build their own primary residence without a contractor license when the owner will live in it. The exemption is not a general authorization to build homes for rent or sale.
- Open the LSLBC FAQ and locate the owner-builder question.
- Then contact the local permit office for the project address.
- Ask for the applicable homeowner/owner-builder exemption form.
- Confirm who may pull electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits.
- Do not assume owner-builder status eliminates inspections or building-code requirements.
Material supplier
A person merely furnishing materials or equipment is different from a person contracting to furnish and install them. Once installation is included in the bid or contract, contractor licensing can be triggered even if installation will be subcontracted.
Joint venture
Joint ventures performing work that requires contractor licensing must follow Louisiana contractor-law requirements. Do not assume the licenses of individual participants automatically create authority for a separate joint venture.
Local licenses
Louisiana law limits duplicate contractor licensing but expressly preserves local occupational taxes, permit fees and parish/municipal competency licensing for mechanical, plumbing and electrical contractors. That is why a state LSLBC credential is not always the last step.
Louisiana Contractor Application: Prepare These Items Before You Start
LSLBC’s official application instructions specifically tell applicants to gather the identity, entity, qualifying-party and document information first. Doing this before opening the application is one of the easiest ways to avoid a preventable delay.
Identity packet
- Exact applicant legal name.
- SSNs and dates of birth where requested.
- FEIN where applicable.
- Physical and mailing addresses.
- Current phone numbers.
- Current email addresses.
Business packet
- Louisiana Secretary of State status.
- Charter number for applicable entities.
- Articles of Incorporation/Organization.
- Operating Agreement or partnership records where applicable.
- Exact legal business name.
Licensing packet
- LSLBC Financial Statement.
- Each qualifying party’s information.
- Outside credentials where classification requires one.
- Reciprocity verification when requested.
- NASCLA transcript request where applicable.
- Insurance arranged through the agent when required.
Exact online application workflow
Open the application instructions before the application
Read the three-page LSLBC Online Application Instructions PDF first. It identifies the personal, entity and supporting documents that can delay an incomplete application.
Choose the credential type and classifications
The online application asks you to select Commercial, Residential, Mold Remediation or Home Improvement and then the applicable classification, subclassification and/or specialty trades.
Decide individual versus business entity correctly
This is not cosmetic. LSLBC warns that after the application passes the relevant point you cannot simply convert an individual application to a business application or vice versa—you may have to restart.
Enter the exact licensing name
For a business, use the same legal name registered with the Louisiana Secretary of State. LSLBC says it does not recognize DBA, trade or fictitious names for licensing and contracting activity must be conducted in the licensed name.
Add the qualifying party correctly
Identify each qualifier and the relationship to the applicant. Depending on the relationship, the application can require Articles, Operating Agreement, partnership records or an employer certification.
Answer reciprocity, NASCLA and legal-history questions
Bankruptcy, liens/judgments, criminal history, debarment and child-support delinquency questions can trigger additional uploads. Gather release, discharge or payment-plan documents before submission when a “Yes” answer applies.
Upload the financial statement and entity documents
LSLBC’s current instructions say the Financial Statement is required for all license applicants. Upload other documents based on entity type, classification and reciprocity route.
Do not upload insurance certificates yourself
For Residential, Home Improvement and Mold Remediation, LSLBC’s application instructions direct the insurance agent to send required certificates to insurance@lslbc.gov. LSLBC says certificates cannot be accepted from the contractor.
Submit and monitor email
LSLBC sends issuance, renewal and examination notices to the email address supplied. Use an address you actually monitor and keep it current.
Finish every requirement within one year
The official instructions give an applicant one year from application receipt to satisfy all requirements. An unfinished application becomes invalid and requires a new application, documents and fees.
Wait for actual license issuance
Application submission, financial approval, exam approval or a passing score alone is not authority to contract. Confirm issuance through LSLBC and the official public record.
Louisiana Application Readiness Checker
Mark an item only when it is prepared. This does not submit anything to LSLBC.
Official LSLBC PDFs: What Each Document Actually Contains and What to Do With It
A PDF link is not useful unless the user knows why it matters. These documents were reviewed for the fields and instructions below.
Online Application Instructions
Revision: November 21, 2025 · 3 pages.
Lists the exact identity, entity and supporting documents applicants should gather. It confirms that insurance certificates for Residential, Home Improvement and Mold Remediation are submitted by the insurance agent rather than uploaded by the contractor.
- Read page 1 and create your identity/entity checklist.
- Use page 2 as your upload checklist.
- Note that insurance is handled separately.
- Read page 3 for the one-year completion rule.
LSLBC Financial Statement
Revision: September 10, 2025 · 1 page.
The form states that all contractor-license applicants must provide it. Section A must be completed by a CPA, accountant or bookkeeper. The applicant and preparer both have signature responsibilities.
- Determine whether the applicant is the individual or business entity.
- Give the form to a CPA, accountant or bookkeeper for Section A.
- Check Assets − Liabilities = Net Worth.
- Confirm the current $50,000 or $25,000 requirement.
- Obtain both required signatures before upload.
Act 757 Insurance Memorandum
Effective: August 1, 2026 · 1 page.
This is the critical freshness document for current insurance. It states the $500,000 liability minimum, policy-information requirements, six-month minimum duration, no exclusions for licensed scopes and Board certificate-holder requirement.
- Send the PDF to your insurance agent.
- Ask the agent to compare every required field with the certificate.
- Check the insured legal name against the LSLBC application.
- Check policy dates and covered scopes.
- Have the agent send updated policy information to LSLBC as instructed.
Residential Roofing Examination / Study Reference
Classification revision: August 18, 2025.
Defines Residential Roofing at the $7,500 project-value level. The study-reference page describes a closed-book 50-question multiple-choice exam with two hours to complete it.
- Confirm Residential Roofing is the classification you actually need.
- Do not buy every reference automatically—the PDF says the list is illustrative rather than mandatory in full.
- Apply to LSLBC first.
- Wait for testing eligibility.
- Use the current PSI Candidate Information Bulletin before scheduling.
Residential Continuing Education Credit Form
Dated: March 2, 2026.
The form records course topic, provider, date, location, number of credit hours, company/license number, qualifying party and provider signature. It reiterates the six-hour annual residential CE requirement and five-year retention period.
- Verify the course/provider is Board-approved before paying.
- Make sure the licensed company and license number are correct.
- Obtain the required course/provider documentation.
- Retain the completion certificate for five years.
Weathering the Storm Consumer Guide
This Board publication contains practical storm-repair hiring advice: verify licensure, get multiple bids, insist on a written contract and avoid large premature payments.
Louisiana Contractor Financial Statement and Current Net-Worth Requirements
| Applicant route | Current minimum net worth | What the official form requires |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | $50,000 | Current financial statement prepared in applicant’s name with required preparer and applicant signatures. |
| Commercial, except labor-only | $50,000 | Same current LSLBC Financial Statement requirement. |
| Home Improvement | $25,000 | Use current form; do not reuse an older $10,000 figure. |
| Mold Remediation | $25,000 | Current form + other mold licensing requirements. |
| Commercial labor-only | $25,000 | Current form and applicable classification requirements. |
Financial Statement micro-guide
- Use the individual’s legal name as the applicant.
- Have the CPA/accountant/bookkeeper complete personal financial information in Section A.
- The individual signs the applicant certification.
- The preparer prints and signs their name and identifies their professional title.
- Use the exact business name as the applicant.
- Have the preparer use the business’s financial information—not the owner’s personal statement unless the instructions specifically call for it.
- An owner, officer or authorized business representative signs for the applicant.
- The CPA/accountant/bookkeeper signs as preparer.
Who Can Be the Louisiana Qualifying Party and What Documents Prove the Relationship?
The qualifying party is not merely a name placed on the application. The applicant must maintain a qualifier for Louisiana Business and Law and each classification on the license.
| Relationship | Typical proof LSLBC application asks for | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Sole proprietor | Individual applicant / identity records. | The license will be in the individual’s legal name. |
| Spouse of sole proprietor | Relationship information requested by the application. | Use the current application prompts rather than assuming spouse status alone establishes qualification. |
| Employee | Employer certification and employment evidence if requested. | LSLBC uses the IRS full-time-employee definition referenced in its application guidance: average 30 hours/week or 130 hours/month, with W-2 employment. |
| Corporation officer / incorporator / stockholder | Articles, bylaws or meeting minutes showing the role. | Upload the document that actually proves the person’s relationship. |
| LLC member / manager | Articles of Organization, Initial Report, Operating Agreement or amendment showing the person. | A document that does not name the qualifier will not prove the relationship. |
| Partner | Partnership agreement. | Use the legal partnership record showing the qualifier. |
Legal and financial-history questions to prepare for
- Reciprocity request.
- NASCLA examination credit.
- Public-entity debarment or disqualification.
- Bankruptcy history.
- Outstanding liens, judgments or attachments.
- Felony or non-traffic misdemeanor convictions.
- Unresolved child-support delinquency.
If a “Yes” answer applies, read the current application question because supporting documentation can be very specific—for example, bankruptcy schedules/discharge documents or lien-release/payment-plan evidence.
How to Use the LSLBC Classification Page Correctly
LSLBC distinguishes major classifications, subclassifications, specialties and credential classifications. A credential classification can require an outside professional certification or license instead of—or in addition to—the ordinary trade-exam process.
- Select the Commercial or Residential classification list relevant to your application.
- Find the exact work you intend to bid or perform.
- Determine whether the entry is a major classification, subclassification, specialty or credential classification.
- Look for a Trade Exam requirement.
- If it says Credential, identify the outside credential required.
- Collect that outside credential before completing the application upload packet.
- If a trade exam is required, submit the LSLBC application first and wait for testing eligibility.
Louisiana Contractor Exams: Apply First, Then Schedule With PSI
All LSLBC trade examinations transitioned to PSI Services LLC effective August 5, 2025. PSI schedules and administers the examination, but LSLBC controls candidate eligibility.
Submit the LSLBC application or classification change
Do not start by paying PSI. LSLBC first needs an application or qualifying-party/classification request.
Wait for LSLBC testing approval
LSLBC approves the candidate for the required trade examination.
Watch for the PSI eligibility email
After approval, PSI sends eligibility and scheduling information.
Open the PSI Louisiana Contractor page
Select your exact exam and open the current Candidate Information Bulletin before choosing a location.
Check the bulletin before paying
Verify exam name, scheduling instructions, identification rules, allowed materials and current fee. Do not rely on an old study school or forum post.
Schedule within the eligibility period
The current March 2026 PSI bulletin states that eligibility is valid for one year. If the required exam is not passed during that period, the candidate must return to the Board process.
Louisiana PSI testing locations listed by LSLBC
| Area | Testing location | Address | Before traveling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | PSI location | 10099 N. Reiger Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70809 | Confirm your exact exam appears at this site during PSI scheduling. |
| Baton Rouge | Kocch Testing Centers of America | 6160 Perkins Rd, Suite 133, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 | Use the live PSI scheduler; availability changes. |
| Lafayette | Acadian Aviation Testing Center | 123 Grissom Road, Lafayette, LA 70508 | Do not assume every contractor exam is available every day. |
| Sulphur / Lake Charles | Safety Council of Southwest Louisiana | 3621 E. Napoleon St, Sulphur, LA 70663 | Choose only after PSI confirms exam availability. |
| Metairie | PSI location | 2750 Lake Villa Drive, NY II Building, Suite 202, Metairie, LA 70002 | Check the current appointment confirmation. |
| Monroe | University of Louisiana / Stubbs Hall | 401 Bayou Road, Stubbs Hall Room 206, Monroe, LA 71209 | Use the address provided in your current PSI confirmation. |
| Pineville / Alexandria | Flightline Air Service | 200 Lake Buhlow Rd, Pineville, LA 71360 | Verify appointment and identification requirements. |
| Shreveport | PSI location | 910 Pierremont Rd, Suite 216, Shreveport, LA 71106 | Confirm the site through PSI immediately before travel. |
Louisiana Contractor Insurance: Current 2026 Requirements
What the current LSLBC memorandum says the proof must show
- Name of the licensee.
- Name of the insurance company.
- Name and address of the insurance broker.
- Policy number.
- Beginning and ending coverage dates.
- No exclusions for the licensee’s licensed scopes of work.
- Coverage for a minimum of six months.
- All scopes of work the applicant is licensed to perform.
- LSLBC listed as certificate holder.
Who sends the insurance certificate?
The current LSLBC application instructions state that the certificate must be sent by the applicant’s insurance agent. LSLBC does not accept the certificate directly from the contractor for this application workflow.
- Open the Act 757 memorandum.
- Send it to the insurance agent.
- Give the agent the exact legal applicant/licensee name.
- Ask the agent to confirm all licensed scopes are covered without excluded licensed scopes.
- Confirm the policy dates provide at least the required duration.
- Confirm LSLBC is certificate holder.
- Have the agent email the certificate/policy information to insurance@lslbc.gov as directed.
- Do not assume an uploaded copy from the contractor substitutes for the agent submission.
Louisiana Contractor Application, Exam, Renewal and Late Fees
The statute establishes fee ceilings and renewal assessments. The exact amount shown by the LSLBC application/portal can depend on the application and classifications, so use the portal calculation for the amount actually due.
| Fee | Current statutory amount / ceiling | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Examination fee | Not more than $50 under R.S. 37:2156. | PSI testing arrangements and current exam charges should be checked during scheduling. |
| Basic license fee | Not more than $100. | Additional classification fees can apply. |
| Renewal fee | Not more than $100. | Renewal term and credential/insurance restrictions affect the workflow. |
| Delinquent fee | Not more than $50. | Statute provides a 15-day post-expiration filing period without the penalty. |
| Home Improvement fee | Not more than $50. | Check the current online application total. |
| Non-Louisiana contractor surcharge | Up to $400. | Board may assess it to cover additional investigation costs for a non-Louisiana-domiciled contractor. |
| Construction education program renewal assessment | $100 per year. | The renewal form must provide an optional election allowing the contractor to decline participation in this additional assessment. |
Louisiana Reciprocity and NASCLA: What They Do—and What They Do Not Do
Reciprocity
Reciprocity can allow examination credit when Louisiana has an applicable agreement and the source-state license/classification satisfies the current conditions. It does not automatically issue a Louisiana contractor license.
- Find your source state in the current agreement list.
- Confirm your Louisiana classification has reciprocal treatment.
- Download the current Verification of License form from the landing page.
- Complete only the applicant portion designated for you.
- Send it to the reciprocal licensing board for completion.
- Follow the LSLBC instructions for returning/uploading the completed verification.
- Continue satisfying Louisiana financial, qualifier, entity, insurance and Business and Law requirements.
NASCLA examination credit
LSLBC’s current application questions identify NASCLA examination-credit routes for Building Construction, Residential Construction and Electrical.
- Answer the NASCLA question accurately in the LSLBC application.
- Use the NASCLA Examination Database.
- Request that NASCLA send the transcript directly to LSLBC.
- Make sure it reflects a passing grade in the classification for which Louisiana accepts the credit.
- Continue the Louisiana application; the transcript does not create a license by itself.
Louisiana Contractor License Renewal: Deadlines, CE and Expired Licenses
About 60 days out
LSLBC sends a renewal notice approximately 60 days before expiration. Online renewal does not open earlier than that window.
About 15 days out
LSLBC sends another reminder around 15 days before expiration. Keep the licensing email current so these notices reach the right person.
15-day grace period
Current statute gives 15 days after expiration to file the renewal without a delinquent penalty. The license itself nevertheless becomes invalid at expiration unless renewed.
Expired one year
A license not renewed within one year after expiration is no longer eligible for renewal; a new application is required.
Can I renew for multiple years?
After the initial term, current law allows eligible contractors to elect one-, two- or three-year renewal terms. Licenses dependent on insurance requirements or certifications are not eligible for multi-year renewal.
Residential continuing education
- Residential Building Contractors generally need at least six hours annually.
- Use a Board-approved provider.
- Retain the completion certificate for five years.
- Provide it to the Board if requested.
- A Residential Building Contractor also holding a current Commercial major classification in Building Construction; Highway, Street and Bridge Construction; Heavy Construction; or Municipal and Public Works Construction is exempt from this residential CE requirement.
- LSLBC states there is no comparable general CE requirement for Commercial, Mold Remediation or Home Improvement credentials.
- Open the official Renew Your License page.
- Log into the Contractor Portal only with the credentials supplied for the licensee/application.
- Check the exact expiration date and classifications.
- Resolve insurance/credential expiration issues first.
- Complete residential CE when required and keep the certificate.
- Review the optional construction-education assessment election on the renewal form.
- Pay the portal amount shown.
- After processing, recheck the public contractor search.
What Louisiana Contractors Must Update After the License Is Issued
| Change | What to do | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Mailing / physical / email address | Update LSLBC within 30 days under the current application acknowledgement. | Renewal, examination and compliance notices use these contacts. |
| Qualifying party leaves | Notify LSLBC within 30 days; obtain replacement qualification within 60 days. | Each classification needs a valid qualifying-party relationship. |
| Outside credential expires | Renew the credential and update LSLBC as required. | A classification dependent on a credential can expire with that credential. |
| Insurance approaching expiration | Have the agent send current insurance information before required coverage lapses. | Act 757 warns that failure to meet current standards can result in suspension. |
| Add classification | Apply through LSLBC, qualify and complete required exam/credential steps. | A contractor may not bid or perform work outside the classifications carried. |
| Business name / entity change | Do not simply start contracting under the new name. Contact LSLBC for the correct change/application route. | Current law requires contracting in the name shown in LSLBC records. |
Louisiana Local Permit Offices: What to Do After the State License Check
Louisiana contractor licensing is statewide, but permits and certain local trade-competency requirements are local. These are practical starting points for five major Louisiana jurisdictions.
New Orleans / Orleans Parish
Department of Safety & Permits
1340 Poydras Street, Suite 800
New Orleans, LA 70112
General: 504-658-7200
Building permit help: 504-658-7130
- Open Search Permits.
- For an address search, use only the house number and street—do not include city, state or ZIP.
- Open the permit record and compare the contractor/applicant, work description and permit status.
- If applying, create/register a One Stop App account.
- Select the applicable building permit type.
- Choose the exact project location from the address results.
- Upload requested plans, contract/estimate and contractor license information.
- Watch for messages from noreply@nola.gov.
- Do not attempt payment before approval; once approved use Your Account → Your Items → Pay Fees.
- After payment, download the permit from the Downloads area and post it as required.
Jefferson Parish
East Bank Building Permits
1221 Elmwood Park Boulevard, Suite 101
Jefferson, LA 70123
504-736-6957
West Bank Building Permits
1855 Ames Boulevard, Suite A
Marrero, LA 70072
504-364-3512
- Open the Residential Re-Roofing Permit page.
- Use the MGO Connect link to apply.
- Pay the current $50 permit fee online.
- No construction plans or survey are required for this reroof permit route.
- Wait for the emailed permit before proceeding.
- During installation, take geo-tagged / location-verified photos.
- Document exposed roof deck, water-intrusion-resistant underlayment and nailing, drip edge, and final shingles/metal panels with required product/wind information.
- Email the photos using the permit number/address as instructed by the Parish.
- The Parish reviews the photographic evidence and issues the Certificate of Completion electronically.
Why this matters: Jefferson Parish explicitly says the permit record helps document code-compliant roofs and can provide useful housing-stock data to insurers. This makes permit completion valuable beyond merely avoiding a code violation.
Baton Rouge / East Baton Rouge Parish
Permit & Inspection Division
300 N. Tenth Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Main: 225-389-3205
225-389-3226
225-389-3209
225-389-3213
225-389-3217
225-389-3230
- Use the FAQ to determine which permit application applies.
- Create the MyGovernmentOnline account when online submission is needed.
- Upload the permit application and construction documents.
- For residential plan review, prepare property-owner/contractor details, site plan, floor/foundation/elevation information and applicable electrical/mechanical/plumbing layouts.
- Use the relevant inspection number after the permit is issued rather than assuming final approval occurs automatically.
Lafayette Parish / City of Lafayette
Lafayette Consolidated Government — Development & Planning
705 W. University Avenue
Lafayette, LA 70506
General: 337-291-8200 or 311
Commercial permit questions: 337-291-8491
Chief Building Inspector: 337-291-8485
- Choose Residential, Commercial, Mobile Home, Swimming Pool, Sign, Floodplain Development or Land Disturbance as applicable.
- Open the related permit application.
- Use MGO Connect to submit applications/plans and manage the project online.
- Check whether the project also triggers Louisiana DEQ stormwater requirements.
- Use the current permit contact numbers when scope or plan-review requirements are unclear.
Shreveport / Caddo Parish
Permits & Inspections
505 Travis Street, Government Plaza, Suite 130
Shreveport, LA 71101
Main: 318-673-6100
318-673-6106
318-673-6115
318-673-6152
318-673-6116
- Open Permits & Inspections and identify the project permit.
- Use MyGovernmentOnline where directed to apply, upload plans and pay.
- If electrical/HVAC/plumbing work is involved, verify local contractor registration separately.
- Schedule required inspections; the permit holder is responsible for requesting them.
- Do not cover work before the required inspection stage.
- After final inspections, follow the City’s Certificate of Occupancy process where applicable.
Louisiana Contractor and Homeowner Benefits, Fee Waivers and Roof Grants
Licensing content should not stop at rules. Louisiana currently has useful programs that can reduce application or home-resilience costs for eligible people.
1. One-time LSLBC initial licensing-fee waiver
LSLBC’s current application questions state that an individual applicant may be eligible for a one-time waiver of initial licensing fees based on income and/or participation in specified public-assistance programs.
Listed qualifying assistance includes:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
- Medicaid.
- Disability Insurance.
- Public Housing.
- Or income below 200% of the applicable federal poverty guideline, subject to the documentation rules described by LSLBC.
- Open the official Licensing Application Questions page and review the current waiver wording.
- When applying as an individual, answer the one-time fee-waiver question truthfully.
- If relying on public assistance, prepare current documentation showing the assistance is in your name.
- If relying on income, follow the current tax-return/enrollment documentation instruction.
- Upload the supporting document at the end of the online application when prompted.
- Remember: this waiver is for eligible initial licensing fees—not renewals or later license changes.
2. Military, military-spouse and dependent licensing assistance
LSLBC maintains a military licensing route for qualifying military members, certain Department of Defense civilian employees assigned to Louisiana, spouses and dependents. Depending on the applicant’s circumstances, prior out-of-state licensure, experience or certifications can affect the licensing/exam path.
- Open the official LSLBC Military page.
- Download the current military rule/document linked there.
- Determine which applicant category applies: service member, qualifying DOD civilian, spouse or dependent.
- Gather military orders/residency evidence and current out-of-state credential records where relevant.
- Compare the outside license scope with the Louisiana classification requested.
- Submit a complete application packet; the military rule includes expedited decision provisions once the required complete documents are received.
- Do not assume military status eliminates the Louisiana Business and Law or other remaining requirements unless the current rule expressly does so.
3. Louisiana Fortify Homes Program — up to $10,000 for eligible roofs
The Louisiana Department of Insurance’s Louisiana Fortify Homes Program (LFHP) provides grants of up to $10,000 toward construction costs for eligible homeowners upgrading roofs to the IBHS FORTIFIED Roof standard.
Do not start the roof before grant approval. The program states that a homeowner who hires a contractor and begins work before acceptance into the grant program is not eligible for that grant.
Current major eligibility checkpoints
- Primary residence.
- Homestead exemption.
- Active homeowners insurance with wind coverage.
- Flood insurance when the property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area.
- Home must be in good repair as determined through the FORTIFIED evaluation process.
- New construction, condominiums and mobile homes are not eligible under the current program rules.
- Partial roof patching is not grant-eligible when a roof-covering replacement is required; the contiguous roof covering must be addressed under program rules.
Current eligible parishes listed by LFHP: Acadia, Ascension, Assumption, Calcasieu, Cameron, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Vermilion and Washington.
- Open the Fortify Homes page.
- Create an LFHP profile now; profiles can be created outside an open lottery round.
- Sign up for future program announcements.
- Confirm your parish is still eligible when the next round opens.
- Prepare homestead-exemption and insurance documentation.
- Do not start grant-funded roof work before being selected and approved.
- If selected, follow the program sequence for evaluator and contractor selection.
- Be prepared to submit at least three contractor bids for LFHP review.
- Budget for evaluator fees, permits, inspections and construction costs over the grant amount.
LFHP contact: 225-342-0111.
4. Jefferson Parish RELIF gap funding
Jefferson Parish’s Roof Enhancement Lottery Incentive Fund (RELIF) has provided up to $5,000 in additional “gap funds” to Jefferson Parish recipients of Louisiana Fortify Homes Program grants when roof costs exceed the state grant amount.
An August 20, 2026 Louisiana Department of Insurance release reported that RELIF had helped fund roofs for more than 100 Jefferson Parish homes.
- First verify eligibility for the current/future Louisiana Fortify Homes round.
- Do not begin roof work before state-program approval.
- If selected for LFHP and roof cost exceeds the state grant, ask Jefferson Parish whether RELIF gap funding applies to that round.
- Do not submit an invented or unofficial “RELIF application” unless the Parish currently directs you to one.
For current RELIF availability, Jefferson Parish residents can verify the current program with the Parish rather than relying on an older grant announcement.
Louisiana Homeowner Contractor Checklist: Contract, Insurance, Lien and Storm Rules
Louisiana law now makes the written agreement itself part of contractor compliance. A project requiring contractor licensure or registration must use a contract containing specified information before work begins.
Current R.S. 37:2159 contract checklist
- The complete agreement and a clear description of incorporated documents.
- Full names and addresses of the parties.
- Contractor’s license number.
- Description of the work to be performed.
- Total amount to be paid.
- For cost-plus or time-and-materials work, an approximation of the owner’s expected cost.
- Signatures of all parties.
- Current certificates of insurance when insurance is a requirement for that licensee.
- Each party receives a copy of the signed agreement.
- No work begins before all parties sign.
Louisiana Notice of Lien Rights
For residential home improvements covered by Louisiana’s Residential Truth in Construction Act, the contractor must provide the owner or authorized agent the statutory Notice of Lien Rights before or when entering into the contract.
- Read the statutory Notice of Lien Rights before signing the project contract.
- Make sure the contractor actually provides the notice for signature when the law applies.
- For a substantial project, ask who the major subcontractors and suppliers will be.
- Before final payment, consider obtaining appropriate payment evidence/lien waivers.
- For lien deadlines or recordation questions, use a Louisiana attorney/title professional rather than relying on a licensing article.
Storm and property-insurance repairs
Contractor is not your public adjuster
Louisiana R.S. 37:2159.1 prohibits contractors from interpreting an insured’s property-policy coverage/duties or acting or advertising as a public adjuster for the insured.
Require itemized repair pricing
For property-damage claim work, current law prohibits an agreement authorizing repair/construction without a good-faith estimate of itemized and detailed service and material costs.
Louisiana New Home Warranty Act: 1-Year, 2-Year and 5-Year Protection Periods
For a newly built Louisiana home covered by the New Home Warranty Act, contractor licensing is only one part of the owner’s protection. The statute establishes minimum warranty periods and a specific written-notice procedure.
| Period | High-level statutory warranty |
|---|---|
| 1 year | Defects from noncompliance with building standards and other material/workmanship defects not regulated by building standards, subject to statutory exclusions. |
| 2 years | Plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling and ventilation systems, excluding appliances, fixtures and equipment, subject to statutory terms/exclusions. |
| 5 years | Major structural defects caused by building-standard noncompliance or other covered material/workmanship defects, subject to statutory terms and exclusions. |
- Document the defect with dated photos/video and inspection records.
- Determine when you first knew of the defect.
- Read R.S. 9:3144 to identify the warranty category and exclusions.
- Read R.S. 9:3145 before repairing or filing suit.
- Send the required written notice by registered or certified mail within the statutory period.
- Give the builder a reasonable opportunity to inspect/comply.
- Preserve the mailing proof, contract, closing records and all responses.
How to File a Louisiana Contractor Complaint With a Useful Evidence Packet
The online LSLBC complaint form asks for complainant information, contractor information, a description of the complaint and supporting documents. A short emotional paragraph is less useful than a clear dated record.
Build this packet first
Identity
- Contractor legal name.
- License / registration number.
- Business address and phone.
- Project address.
Money
- Signed contract.
- Change orders.
- Invoices.
- Cancelled checks / card receipts.
- Deposit evidence.
Work evidence
- Dated photos/videos.
- Permit records.
- Inspection failures/corrections.
- Emails/text messages.
- Repair requests.
- Enter your own complainant/contact information accurately.
- Enter the contractor’s legal name and license number if known.
- Use the project address—not merely the contractor’s office—as part of the factual description.
- State the project value, work type and relevant dates.
- Write the facts chronologically: contract date → payment → start → problem → notice/request → current condition.
- Avoid unsupported accusations; identify what happened and attach proof.
- Upload the strongest documents rather than dozens of unexplained files.
- For easier review, name files chronologically, such as “01-contract.pdf,” “02-payment.pdf,” “03-permit.pdf,” “04-photo-2026-08-10.jpg.”
- Submit the complaint once and save the confirmation.
- If you already filed the same complaint by paper, mail or email, do not create a duplicate electronic complaint; contact LSLBC about the existing matter.
Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors Phone, Address and Google Map
Main phone
Have the exact legal business name, license number, classification and question ready before calling.
LSLBC office
600 North Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Insurance submissions
Current application instructions require applicable insurance certificates to come from the insurance agent.
Google Maps is included only for navigation convenience. Verify official contact details with LSLBC before mailing time-sensitive documents or making a special trip.
Louisiana Board of Contractors FAQs
What is the official Louisiana Board of Contractors?
The official state licensing agency is the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors, commonly called LSLBC. It administers contractor licensing and registration, classifications, applications, qualifying-party requirements, renewals, public contractor search tools and contractor enforcement functions.
How do I check a Louisiana contractor license?
Open the official LSLBC Contractor Search and use the license or registration number first when available. Match the legal business name, credential type, classification and qualifying-party information with the business on the contract and payment request. Then check Contractor Violations and project permits separately.
Why can’t I find a contractor in the LSLBC search?
LSLBC states that only currently licensed or registered contractors appear in its ordinary public search results. Try the legal name, license number, city, parish, contractor type and qualifying party. If a contractor claims a recently expired, renewed or changed credential but no record appears, contact LSLBC directly rather than guessing.
When is a Louisiana commercial contractor license required?
The main current commercial threshold is a total project value of $50,000 or more. Electrical, mechanical and plumbing contracting has a lower $10,000 contractor-law threshold, and covered hazardous-material work can trigger licensing at $1 or more. Total project value includes labor, materials, rentals and direct and indirect project costs.
When is Louisiana Home Improvement registration required?
The Home Improvement route applies to qualifying nonstructural improvements to an existing residence with a project value of at least $7,500 but less than $50,000. A Home Improvement contractor may not perform structural work integral to the structure, including roofing systems.
What Louisiana license is required for residential roofing in 2026?
For covered residential roofing with a project value of $7,500 or more, the contractor must hold Residential Roofing or Residential Construction. The requirement took effect January 1, 2026. Residential Roofing is a subclassification of Residential Construction and has a trade-exam requirement.
How much liability insurance is required for covered Louisiana residential, home improvement and mold credentials?
Effective August 1, 2026, Act 757 requires at least $500,000 in liability insurance or qualifying liability-trust-fund protection for Residential Construction and its subclassifications, Mold Remediation and Home Improvement applicants subject to the rule, together with workers’ compensation coverage required by Louisiana law. Use the current Act 757 memorandum rather than an older $100,000 figure.
What net worth is required for a Louisiana contractor application?
The current LSLBC Financial Statement requires $50,000 minimum net worth for Residential and Commercial applicants except commercial labor-only, and $25,000 for Home Improvement, Mold Remediation and Commercial labor-only applicants. Current law also allows a qualifying irrevocable letter-of-credit route.
Can I get Louisiana contractor licensing fees waived?
LSLBC’s current application questions state that qualifying individual applicants may request a one-time waiver of initial licensing fees based on specified public-assistance participation or the current income criterion. Supporting documentation must be uploaded. The waiver does not apply to renewals or later license changes.
Does NASCLA give me a Louisiana contractor license?
No. NASCLA exam credit can help satisfy an examination component for certain Louisiana classifications, but it does not create a Louisiana contractor license. The contractor must still complete the LSLBC application and satisfy Louisiana financial, qualifying-party, business, insurance and other requirements.
How many continuing education hours does a Louisiana Residential Building Contractor need?
A Residential Building Contractor generally needs six hours of Board-approved continuing education annually and must retain the completion certificate for five years. A contractor also holding one of the specified current Commercial major classifications is exempt from that residential CE requirement.
Can a homeowner build their own house in Louisiana without a contractor license?
Current LSLBC FAQ guidance allows an owner to build their own primary residence when they will live in it, subject to the owner-builder conditions. The owner must still follow local permit, code and trade requirements and should obtain the applicable owner/homeowner exemption documentation from the permit authority.
Does a Louisiana contractor license replace a local building permit?
No. LSLBC licensing and project permits are separate. Louisiana law also preserves local permit fees and certain local competency licensing for mechanical, plumbing and electrical contractors. Verify the permit with the parish or municipality serving the project address.
Is the Louisiana Fortify Homes grant currently open?
As reviewed August 31, 2026, the current Louisiana Fortify Homes lottery registration is closed and the program says additional rounds will be announced later. Eligible homeowners can create a profile and subscribe for future announcements. Do not begin grant-funded roof work before award and program approval.
How much can the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program provide?
The program provides grants of up to $10,000 toward qualifying construction costs for eligible primary-residence roof upgrades to the IBHS FORTIFIED Roof standard. Homeowners remain responsible for evaluator costs, permits, inspections and project costs above the grant.
How do I complain about a Louisiana contractor?
Use the official LSLBC online complaint form. Prepare the contractor’s legal name and license number, project address, contract, change orders, invoices, payment proof, photos, permit and inspection records, communications and a dated factual timeline. If the same complaint was already filed by another method, do not create a duplicate electronic filing.
Official Sources Used for This Louisiana Contractor Guide
| Official source | Use it for | What to do after opening |
|---|---|---|
| LSLBC Contractor Search | Current contractor/license search. | Search number first, then legal name/type/parish/qualifier; save the correct result. |
| Apply for a License | Current application gateway. | Read instructions and classification requirements before opening the online application. |
| Application Instructions PDF | Identity, entity and document requirements. | Use pages 1–2 as pre-application checklists; note the one-year application completion rule. |
| Financial Statement PDF | Net-worth and preparer/signature requirements. | Have a CPA/accountant/bookkeeper complete Section A in the correct applicant name. |
| Exams & Classifications | Scope, trade exam and credential requirements. | Find exact classification; note whether it requires Trade Exam or Credential. |
| LSLBC PSI Testing Guide | Current testing workflow. | Apply first; wait for eligibility; then use PSI scheduling and current bulletin. |
| Act 757 Insurance Memo | Current $500,000 insurance requirements. | Give it to the insurance agent and compare every required certificate field. |
| Reciprocity | Current reciprocal agreements and verification route. | Download the current form from the landing page rather than using an old saved PDF. |
| Renew Your License | Renewal workflow. | Use your notice and portal; resolve CE, insurance and credential issues before expiration. |
| Online Complaint | Official contractor complaint filing. | Prepare an evidence packet first; file once and save confirmation. |
| R.S. 37:2150.1 | Current definitions/project values. | Use the statutory definition before relying on a threshold calculator. |
| R.S. 37:2156.1 | Financial, qualifier, insurance and issuance requirements. | Read alongside current LSLBC forms and effective-date notices. |
| R.S. 37:2156 | Fees, renewal, classifications and local licensing boundaries. | Distinguish statutory fee ceilings from the exact amount calculated by the portal. |
| R.S. 37:2159 | Written contractor agreement requirements. | Compare each required item with the contract before work begins. |
| Louisiana Fortify Homes | Roof-resilience grants and current lottery status. | Create a profile and subscribe for the next round; do not begin grant-funded work early. |
Related ContractorsBoard.org resources
The Correct Louisiana Workflow Is License → Classification → Insurance → Permit → Contract
Homeowners: search the live LSLBC record, match the legal business, verify the classification, review violations, confirm insurance and check the actual local permit before releasing a major payment.
Applicants: choose the exact credential/classification first, complete the current financial and qualifying-party packet, route insurance through your agent, wait for LSLBC exam eligibility and confirm actual issuance before bidding or contracting.