Construction / General Contractor License / Louisiana
- Louisiana
- General Contractor
- Commercial Building
- Updated Oct 2026
How to Get Your Louisiana Commercial Building Contractor License
Louisiana licenses general contractors on commercial work through the Commercial Building classification. This page covers who needs it, the net worth and insurance rules, the Business & Law course, the trade exam and renewal.
Last updated October 27, 2026 from Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors requirements
Application fee
$135
$95 classification + $40 processing; plus $175 exam and $150 Business & Law
Exam time
3 hrs
Commercial Building exam; the Business & Law course has no time limit
Time to get license
Not stated
No experience minimum in our source; pre-approval comes first
Continuing ed
Unconfirmed
Our sources conflict; check with the LSLBC before you renew
Overview
Do you need a Louisiana general contractor license?
Yes, for larger commercial jobs. In Louisiana you need a Commercial Building license for commercial projects worth $50,000 or more, counting labor and materials. Electrical, mechanical and plumbing work has a lower bar of $10,000.
License required when
- Commercial projects where labor and materials total $50,000 or more
- Electrical, mechanical or plumbing work over $10,000, which needs a commercial license with the right classification
- Acting as the contractor on the job, with a Qualifying Party who passes the required exam
Common exceptions
- Commercial projects under $50,000 in labor and materials
- Electrical, mechanical and plumbing work of $10,000 or less
Penalties for unlicensed work
Our source doesn’t list specific penalties. In general, the LSLBC can investigate and discipline anyone who contracts without the required license, so confirm you’re covered before you bid.
Your fast-track Louisiana general contractor license checklist
The Louisiana application, one page
- Commercial Application submitted for exam pre-approval
- Financial statement affidavit showing $10,000+ net worth
- Business & Law course completed
- Passing score on the Commercial Building exam
- General liability certificate ($100,000 minimum)
- Proof of workers’ comp coverage
Types
Louisiana general contractor license types and classifications
Louisiana issues several kinds of contractor licenses. For general contracting on commercial jobs, the one you want is the Commercial Building classification.
CB
Most common
Commercial Building
Commercial projects where labor and materials total at least $50,000.
Exam
B&L course + Commercial Building exam
Limit
Not stated
EMP
Trade work
Electrical, Mechanical & Plumbing
Commercial projects over $10,000 need a commercial license with the matching classification.
Exam
Not stated
Limit
Not stated
Requirements
Louisiana general contractor license requirements, class by class
Here’s what the LSLBC asks for before it issues a Commercial Building license.
| Requirement | Commercial Building |
|---|---|
| Net worth | $10,000 minimum, shown on a financial statement affidavit current within 12 months |
| Application | Complete Commercial Application (gets you exam pre-approval) |
| Business & Law | Online course, completed before the trade exam |
| Trade exam | Commercial Building exam, 70% to pass |
| General liability | $100,000 minimum |
| Workers’ comp | Proof of coverage required |
| Experience | Not stated |
Steps
How to get your Louisiana general contractor license, step by step
- Submit the Commercial ApplicationBefore you test
Apply with the LSLBC first. Once it’s received, your Qualifying Party gets exam information and pre-approval to sit for the exams. - Prepare your financial statementBefore you apply
Get a financial statement affidavit showing at least $10,000 in net worth. It must be current within 12 months of your application. - Complete the Business & Law courseNo time limit
Create an account and take the online course through the LSLBC application portal. It replaces the old Business & Law exam. - Pass the Commercial Building examExam day
80 questions, 3 hours, open book. You need 70% to pass. Pre-approval is required before you schedule. - Send insurance proofAfter you apply
Provide proof of general liability insurance of at least $100,000 and proof of workers’ comp coverage. - Receive your licenseFinal step
Once every step is done, the LSLBC issues your Louisiana Commercial Building license.
Exam
What to expect on the Louisiana general contractor exam
You take one trade exam, the Commercial Building exam, after finishing the Business & Law course online. The exam is open book, and you can write in, highlight and tab your references.
Format
Open book
Questions
80
Passing score
70%
Exam vendor
PSI
Scoring & content
- 80 questions, 3 hours
- Topics: sitework, concrete, masonry, metals, carpentry, thermal and moisture protection, doors and windows, finishes, safety, general code, plan reading and estimating
- References include the 2018 International Building Code and OSHA 1926
- Business & Law is now an online course covering licensing law, bidding, contracts, finances, jobsite safety and tax basics
Retake policy
- Retake rules: Not stated
- Retake fee: Not stated
- Pre-approval from the testing agency is required before you schedule
- Ask the LSLBC for current retake rules
Exam references · Open book
The Commercial Building exam is open book. You can write in, highlight and tab the references below and use them during the exam. The Business & Law requirement is an online course, not a book exam.
| Book | Edition | Use |
|---|---|---|
| International Building Code (IBC) | 2018 | Allowed in exam |
| OSHA 29 CFR 1926: Construction Industry Regulations | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
| Technical Digest No. 9: Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
| Carpentry and Building Construction, Student Edition | 2016 | Allowed in exam |
| Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures | 17th edition | Allowed in exam |
| Pipe and Excavation Contracting | Revised edition | Allowed in exam |
| Roofing Construction & Estimating | Revised edition | Allowed in exam |
| Training and Certification of Field Personnel for Unbonded Post-Tensioning | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
| Modern Masonry | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
| Placing Reinforcing Bars | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
Prep
Best Louisiana general contractor exam prep, compared
We haven’t compared prep courses for this exam yet.
Costs
How much does a Louisiana general contractor license cost?
| Item | Type | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Classification fee (per classification, per year) | Fixed | $95 |
| Processing fee (per classification) | Fixed | $40 |
| Building Construction exam (PSI) | Fixed | $175 |
| Business & Law course | Fixed | $150 |
| General liability ($100,000 minimum) | Variable | Varies |
| Workers’ comp coverage | Variable | Varies |
| State fees and exams | Excludes insurance | $460 |
Fees from the LSLBC classification fee schedule and the PSI candidate bulletin for LSLBC exams, checked October 2026.
Reciprocity
Does Louisiana accept out-of-state general contractor licenses?
Louisiana has reciprocity agreements with 10 states. Our source doesn’t spell out what each one waives, so confirm the details with the LSLBC before you apply.
Alabama — reciprocity agreement
Louisiana lists a reciprocity agreement with this state. Ask the LSLBC which exams or steps are waived for your license.
Arkansas — reciprocity agreement
Louisiana lists a reciprocity agreement with this state. Ask the LSLBC which exams or steps are waived for your license.
California — reciprocity agreement
Louisiana lists a reciprocity agreement with this state. Ask the LSLBC which exams or steps are waived for your license.
Georgia — reciprocity agreement
Louisiana lists a reciprocity agreement with this state. Ask the LSLBC which exams or steps are waived for your license.
Mississippi — reciprocity agreement
Louisiana lists a reciprocity agreement with this state. Ask the LSLBC which exams or steps are waived for your license.
Nevada — reciprocity agreement
Louisiana lists a reciprocity agreement with this state. Ask the LSLBC which exams or steps are waived for your license.
North Carolina — reciprocity agreement
Louisiana lists a reciprocity agreement with this state. Ask the LSLBC which exams or steps are waived for your license.
South Carolina — reciprocity agreement
Louisiana lists a reciprocity agreement with this state. Ask the LSLBC which exams or steps are waived for your license.
Tennessee — reciprocity agreement
Louisiana lists a reciprocity agreement with this state. Ask the LSLBC which exams or steps are waived for your license.
Utah — reciprocity agreement
Louisiana lists a reciprocity agreement with this state. Ask the LSLBC which exams or steps are waived for your license.
All other states — no agreement
Apply as a new applicant: submit the Commercial Application, finish the Business & Law course and pass the trade exam.
Local
Do Louisiana cities and counties have their own general contractor licensing rules?
Your state license is issued by the LSLBC. Cities and parishes still handle permits and inspections on each job.
State handles
- Contractor licenses and classifications
- Exam pre-approval and the Business & Law course
- Net worth, insurance and application review
- Reciprocity agreements
City & county handle
- Building permits
- Inspections
- Local business registration, where required
Governance
Who regulates general contractors in Louisiana
Licensing authority
Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC)
225-765-2301
Oversight responsibilities
- Issues and renews contractor licenses
- Pre-approves applicants to sit for exams
- Runs the online Business & Law course
- Holds reciprocity agreements with other states
Maintenance
How to renew your Louisiana general contractor license and keep it active
Renew your license with the LSLBC before it expires. Our source gives conflicting information on continuing education, so ask the board what you need before you renew.
Renewal cycle
Not stated
CE hours
Unconfirmed
Renewal fee
Not stated
Late penalty
Not stated
FAQ
Louisiana general contractor license FAQs
Do I need a license for a commercial job under $50,000?
Not a Commercial Building license, which starts at $50,000 in labor and materials. Electrical, mechanical and plumbing work over $10,000 still needs a commercial license with the right classification.
Is there still a Business & Law exam in Louisiana?
No. The LSLBC now requires an online Business & Law course instead of a separate exam. You have to finish it before the Commercial Building exam.
Is the Commercial Building exam open book?
Yes. You can write in, highlight and tab your references. The exam has 80 questions, a 3-hour limit and a 70% passing score.
How much net worth do I need?
At least $10,000, shown on a financial statement affidavit that’s current within 12 months of your application.
What insurance do I need?
General liability of at least $100,000 and proof of workers’ comp coverage, sent after you submit your application.
Does Louisiana have contractor reciprocity?
Yes, with Alabama, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Utah. Ask the LSLBC what each agreement waives.
Sources
Official sources for the Louisiana general contractor license
- Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors
- LSLBC online application and Business & Law course portal
- LSLBC, Adding a Classification to an Existing License (fee schedule, PDF)
- PSI, LSLBC Candidate Information Bulletin (exam fees, PDF)
Last updated October 27, 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Exam Insiders is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors.