Louisiana Contractor License Courses, Classes & Exam Prep

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Overview & Benefits

How to Become a Contractor in Louisiana

We congratulate you on your desire to seek a contractor's license in the state of Louisiana. This is a big step forward that can open several doors for you. Louisiana Law requires anyone who performs construction work where the total project amount exceeds $50,000 for commercial projects, $10,000 for plumbing, electrical & HVAC, and $7,500 for residential projects within the state to be licensed by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors.

The benefits of having a license are many. Primarily, you’ll be able to take on larger projects and expand your clientele. A license will make your business more credible. It can increase your earning potential since clients are willing to pay more money to a licensed contractor than a handyman.

The process of getting your Louisiana contractor license can be tedious. However, at Contractor Training Center, we make sure you’re prepared for this exam with our courses, study tools, and resources. We have years of experience in this industry. We know the best ways to help you prepare and pass the exam on the first try.

Wondering how to get a contractor's license in Louisiana? We’ll explain everything down below.

The Benefits of Having a Contractor's License in Louisiana

There are two benefits to having your contractor's license: increased earning potential and credibility. With a license, you’ll be able to take on larger projects. Plus, customers are willing to pay more money to a licensed contractor than a handyman.

Gives You Credibility

Having a license increases your credibility, allowing you to build trust with your clients. There are other ways you can gain their trust, but this is a big part of establishing yourself and your business, especially if you're working with new customers.

Gives You A Higher Earning Potential

Consequently, there are larger projects that you can't perform without a contractor's license. With one, you can take on big assignments, get more jobs, and increase your profit. More times than not, clients will pay a higher price to a licensed contractor as opposed to unlicensed handymen.

Not holding a license can result in trouble for you and your business. If caught, you can be looking at costly fines and a loss of clientele. Avoid this by taking the appropriate measures to get your license. If you’re unsure where to start, don’t worry. Get in touch with us today and we’ll walk you through the process.

What to Expect

Get a strong start in building your career

We have helped over 30,000 contractors obtain their license! We are committed to your success and have an extremely high first pass rate. Everything you need to know about the Louisiana contracting exam can be found on our page. For any questions, we are only a phone call away.

There are 3 important steps in most states to obtain your license. These include:

  1. Submitting an application
  2. Completing a Business Law course
  3. Passing a Technical exam

We are here every step of the way to guide and support you. We offer the right tools and resources to pass these exams on your first try. If you don’t pass, we will offer you the class once more for free until you do. Whatever you need, we are available to help!

Exam Preparation

What you'll need to prepare for the exam

To obtain a contractors license in Louisiana – residential or commercial – there are important steps to complete as outlined below.

1. Complete the application

You first want to apply for the license by completing the application and sending it to the State Licensing Board for Contractors. You need to be sure you include all supporting documents with the application to avoid delays.

You can get the application by clicking here. It’s essential that you submit your application with all the supporting documents. If it happens to be incomplete or you filled it out incorrectly, there will be a delay in the licensing process.

Here is a quick list of some of the documents you’ll need to gather prior to submitting your application:

  • Relevant legal paperwork such as operating agreement or articles of incorporation.
  • Documentation regarding the designated qualifying party or parties
  • A financial statement that shows a net worth of at least $10,000. This document can be a balance sheet or statement of net worth. You must have it notarized and signed by an independent auditor as well as the applicant themselves.
  • A money order, check, or credit card information to cover all fees.

There may still be additional paperwork that you need to send. Be sure you are informed of all requirements. Read the application thoroughly and seek help when needed.

Finally, be sure you don’t leave any questions blank. Also include all fees with the application and get a notary on your application.

2. Schedule the exam date

Once you submit your application, you need to wait until you receive a notification with further instruction on scheduling a date for the exam. The Board will typically receive, review, and approve your application in anywhere from 4-8 weeks.

3. Determine which exams to take

If you’re seeking a specific license, you will need to take the Trade exam as well. Contractor Training Center offers a prep course for this exam. We make sure you walk into the testing center confident and prepared. If you’re unsure whether or not you need to take the trade exam, you can click here for a list of classification requirements in the state of Louisiana. 

You must obtain a Residential License if you are building or making improvements for more than $75.000. You must submit a financial statement and have general liability insurance and workman’s compensation insurance. You will also have to pass a CLOSED BOOK EXAMINATION.

You must have a Commercial License for projects of more than $50,000. You must submit a financial statement and have general liability insurance and workman’s compensation insurance. You will also have to pass a CLOSED BOOK EXAMINATION. 

Rules for the Closed Book Examination

After you submit your application to the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC), they will notify you of the exam process through the mail. Every contractor must complete an online Business and Law course offered by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors. Trade exams vary depending on the specific area you want to focus on.

When arriving at your contractor license Louisiana testing location, you’ll need these documents:

  • A photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport
  • SSN
  • Approval letter
  • Registration confirmation

Expect the exam to take anywhere from 2.5 to 4 hours depending on your classification. You’ll receive your score immediately since the exams are on computers.

To pass the contractor exam, you need to have at least 70%. If you don’t pass, you’ll need to wait 30 days before being able to retake it. If you do re-take it, you’ll need to pay the full exam fee as well.

License Requirements

Steps to obtaining your license

How to Get a Residential Contractor's License in Louisiana

A contractor must:

  • Complete the Residential Application. Additional information/documents may be requested within the application. 
  • Provide a financial statement affidavit showing a minimum of $10,000 net worth (must be current within 12 months of application).
  • Pass the required examinations. After the application is submitted, the Qualifying Party will receive testing information. 
  • After the application is submitted, provide proof of general liability insurance with a minimum amount of $100,000 and proof of workers’ compensation coverage. Insurance certificate(s) should be emailed directly from the insurance agent to insurance@lslbc.louisiana.gov. 
  • Be approved by the Board before issuance of the license.
How to Get a Mechanical License in Louisiana

To apply for your license, visit the Louisiana State Licensing Board (LSLBC) website.

The state does not require continuing education before renewal. In addition, Louisiana has reciprocity agreements with Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Nevada, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah.

Provide a financial statement affidavit showing a minimum of $10,000 net worth (must be current within 12 months of application).

Submit a complete Commercial Application with classification. Once the application is received, the Qualifying Party will receive exam information.

Pass the Business and Law exam and the Mechanical Contractor exam.

New rules promulgated to ease contractor licensing process - January 2019

The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors recently promulgated rules to simplify and streamline the application, examination and renewal processes for licensed contractors and those seeking to become licensed contractors. Changes made in this regard include the following.

  1. Insurance documents required for residential builders and residential specialty subcontractors, mold remediation contractors, and home improvement registrants will be collected at application and renewal time only, with contractors certifying that they will maintain continuous coverage while licensed/registered.
     
  2. Residential building contractors will continue to be required to meet the continuing education requirement of 6 hours per year, but will no longer be required to submit continuing education certificates to this office. The contractor will maintain their education certificates for a five-year period and provide copies to this office if requested. Contractors will certify at application and renewal time that they have complied with this requirement.
     
  3. Employees applying to be the Qualifying Party for a contractor will no longer be required to provide copies of payroll documents/payroll checks as evidence of employment. However, the Qualifier/Employee will be required to sign a legal affidavit, along with their employer, that they meet the 120-day mandated employment requirement.

If we can answer any questions or be of further assistance, please contact us support@contractortrainingcenter.com

Would you rather take an open book exam?

Because these exams are closed book, we recommend the NASCLA License. It is an OPEN BOOK EXAMINATION and it covers you for both residential and commercial construction in Louisiana. Even Better, it is accepted in 16 states for the technical exam. If you work in multiple states then this is absolutely the best license to get. You can be one and done for the technical side of your license in all of these states. More states plan to accept the NASCLA certification in the future, so this license designation will only get better. 

States that Accept the NASCLA License

The NASCLA exam replaces the trades exam for Commercial General Building Contractors in all 16 of these states. 11 of these states also accept it for Residential Building Contractors. The following states accept this license:

  • Alabama -  Commercial Only
  • Arizona - Commercial Only
  • Arkansas - Commercial and Residential
  • Florida - Commercial and Residential
  • Georgia - Commercial and Residential
  • Louisiana - Commercial and Residential
  • Mississippi - Commercial and Residential
  • Nevada - Commercial Only
  • North Carolina - Commercial and Residential
  • Oregon - Commercial and Residential
  • South Carolina - Commercial and Residential
  • Tennessee - Commercial Only
  • US Virgin Islands - Commercial and Residential
  • Utah - Commercial and Residential
  • Virginia - Commercial Only
  • West VA - Commercial and Residential

What this means is, if you pass one exam, you’ll have the hardest part of the licensing process complete for any of the states mentioned above. You may need to pass the Business and Law exam for certain states. However, you won’t have to take a separate Technical exam. It works in a similar manner as reciprocity but is a little easier as the NASCLA organization is designed to help you through this process.

The NASCLA National Exam Database keeps track of everyone who has passed the NASCLA Accredited Exam. If you’re performing work in another state, this makes the process quick and easy. Depending on the state, however, you may need to take a specific business/law exam and you will also need to complete the application process for that state. To register yourself with the NASCLA organization, go to the NASCLA database Fill out the online application and pay the $25 fee and you will be eligible to take the exam in about a week. This is the easiest and cheapest thing in the whole process. Exams are scheduled at www.psiexams.com You will need to create an account and register to take the exam. They will not let you register until the NASCLA organization has pre-approved you. 

In Louisiana, you will still need to complete the application process and the online Business and Law course offered by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors.

Most states that accept the NASCLA Exam will require you to register your business with the Secretary of State so that they can tax you and submit a license application to the State Board of Contractors.

When a company with a NASCLA license finds opportunities for business in another NASCLA-accepting state, they must still apply for their contractor license for that state. NASCLA applicants are still required to meet all of the state’s license requirements, but they will never have to take the NASCLA exam again. Applicants can request copies of their test transcripts from the National Education Database at ned.nascla.org.   

At Contractor Training Center, we have all the exam prep classes and materials needed to pass the NASCLA exam and the Business Law exam for all 16 of the NASCLA states as well as many states’ Business and Law exams. We also have optional Application Fulfillment Services to help you through the application process. The application process is a bit tedious, so we save our contractors time and frustration and keep them on task by helping ensure all application documents are correct and ready to submit for approval.

How to Study for the NASCLA Exam

Applicants are only allowed to take the NASCLA exam 3 times within a one-year period after applying, so preparation is imperative. This is an open book exam and tabbing and highlighting the books is allowed and part of our curriculum. There are 21 books allowed in the testing room; our instructors have eliminated the need for 2 of the books, as they are extremely repetitive and unnecessary. This helps us lower our book bundle price, but purchasing the books is still the most expensive part of getting your NASCLA license.

It would take you a year to absorb the information found in the 21 reference manuals for the NASCLA exam. With our intensive exam prep courses, we can have you ready to take the exam in a week. We actually suggest taking the exam about 1 week after taking our NASCLA Exam Prep Course. It is not necessary to absorb all of the material in these books; the secret to passing the NASCLA exam is to be able to find the answers within the references quickly. This is where we come in. We have keyword techniques and time-saving strategies designed to make you efficient and confident while taking the exam. We also provide hundreds of NASCLA practice questions with our online practice test material to help you learn your way around the books and also plants a lot of information in your short term memory.

When you take a live class or webinar with us, we also provide you with a pre-recorded version of the class. This way, you have something to refer back to that you can watch as many times as you like. We allow you access to the material for 3 months. If you need it for a longer time period, then all you need do is ask and we will extend it at no additional cost.

The online content is where you will find the tabbing and highlighting instructions as well as the practice questions. We have optional services where we can send you the books already tabbed and highlighted, which will save you countless hours of preparing your books for the exam. Our tabbing and highlighting services are especially popular with busy professionals!

Pass Your Exam the First Time

At Contractor Training Center, we have an extremely high first-time pass rate for the NASCLA exam. If you do not pass on the first attempt, we will ask for your examination report from the testing center, to show us the categories of material where you struggled. We will use this information to give you supplemental instruction and let you attend another class for free. We are very good at training our contractors to pass this exam.  

We know having this exam under your belt is important for your business, and we take it seriously. Give us a call today to find out more about our prep seminar for the National NASCLA Accredited Contractor Exam. Our goal is your ultimate success!

Here are some important links for your convenience:

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about the contractor licensing process.

How long will my LA license be valid?

Your Louisiana contractors license will be valid for one year. You will need to begin the renewal process at least 30 days prior to the expiration date. This is to ensure there are no gaps in your licensing

How long does it take to get a license?

Typically, it takes 4 weeks to obtain your in-state Louisiana license. It takes 8 weeks for an out-of-state license to be issued. For out of state contractors, there is a 60-day waiting period that begins on the date the application is received. The processing time frame depends on a few factors including whether all documents were attached, fees paid, and required exams passed

What happens if I don't renew my license?

If you don’t renew your license in time, you’ll be responsible for a $50 penalty fee that will be assessed 15 days after the expiration date. If you take more than 6 months to renew your license, your business may be forfeited. In such case, you’ll need to re-apply for a license.

Does Louisiana require contractor continuing education

There are no continuing education requirements for commercial, mold, or home improvement contractors/registrants.

There are continuing education requirements for residential building contractors. A residential building contractor is required to complete a minimum of six (6) hours of continuing education annually by a board-approved provider.

See more information at the LSLBC website here.

How do I show completion of annual continued education?

This process is simple. All you need to do is mail a copy of your Certificate of Completion to the state licensing board for contractors.

Which states accept the NASCLA license?

The NASCLA exam replaces the trades exam for commercial contractors. The following states accept this license in lieu of their state-specific technical exam:

  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Louisiana
  • Mississippi
  • Nevada
  • North Carolina
  • Oregon
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Utah
  • Virginia
  • West Virginia
  • U.S. Virgin Islands

What this means is, if you pass one exam, you’ll receive a license to conduct commercial work in any of the states mentioned above. You may need to pass the Business and Law exam for certain states. However, you won’t have to take a separate Commercial Trade exam.


The NASCLA National Exam Database keeps track of everyone who has passed the NASCLA Accredited Exam for Commercial General Building Contractors. If you’re performing work in another state, this makes the process quick and easy. Depending on the state, however, you may need to take a specific business/law exam.

Can you conduct residential work with a Louisiana commercial license?

A Commercial license does not allow you to build a single residential home. A Residential license with the Residential Building Contractor classification is required for new home construction.

If you hold a NASCLA license, however, Louisiana accepts NASCLA exam transcripts in lieu of both the Commercial Building Construction and the Residential Building Contractor Classifications.

Where can I get the necessary books?

You can obtain all necessary Louisiana books right here on our website.

How can I obtain a state license

The first step is to complete the application with all the required documents. Then you’ll need to prepare for the exam. Finally, take it at your designated location. We can help with this entire process to make it as stress-free for you. We have all the books, tools, and resources necessary to prepare.

Where do I get the application?

You can receive an application for commercial, residential, home improvement, and mold remediation from the LSLBC website.

What is the required fee for the license?

The examination fee for each classification is $120. For more information visit the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors fee schedule.

Can I have more than one qualifying agent?

There is no limit to the number of qualifying agents a company may have. A business can have more than one. However, keep in mind that all agents are responsible for handling operations, supervising fieldwork, and staying on top of financial matters for all projects.

Can an individual qualify for more than one company

Yes, an individual can qualify for more than one company. To do so, they must show evidence of financial responsibility and insurance to the appropriate division.

If a business loses its qualifying agent, can it continue to opperate?

When a qualifying party terminates his or her employment or association with the licensee, the licensee must notify the board in writing within 30 days of the disassociation. Failure by the licensee to cause a new person to qualify as its qualifying party within 60 days of the disassociation will subject the licensee to suspension or revocation of the license.

Failure to notify the board of the disassociation of a qualifying party constitutes a violation pursuant to R.S. 37:2158.

Need help finding the right course for you?

Getting a Louisiana general contractor license can seem complicated and time-consuming process. However, we are here to tell you that it’s not. Allow the Contractor Training Center to prepare you. We will make this process as stress-free as possible. For more information or to get started on this process, give us a call at 804-556-5518.

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