Louisiana is home to more than 27,000 general contractors. If you want to get your Louisiana general contractor license, you’ll find plenty of market opportunities, including commercial and industrial growth in the oil and gas industry and an uptick in residential projects.
The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) approves general contractor licenses. Jump ahead to learn more, including:
To get your general contractor license, you’ll need to do the following:
Once you have fully completed your application, you can submit it for board approval before you take the required exams. The board convenes every month to review applications.
Although you can complete most of the general contractor application process online, you cannot submit it online. Some of the documents need to be notarized before you can submit them to the board. Also, you’ll need to take the required trade exams in person at one of the pre-approved testing centers throughout the state.
For in-state applicants, the process takes about four weeks start to finish. For those who live out of state and want a general contractor license, Louisiana has a 60-day waiting period, which begins once the board receives the application.
Once you have your license, you must renew it yearly. The board suggests preparing your renewal at least 30 days before the expiration date.
Any applications turned in 15 days or later than the expiration date will face an additional late fee.
Several types of general contractor licenses are available in Louisiana. The one you’ll need depends on the type of work you plan to do.
Out-of-state contractors can receive credit in Louisiana for approved classifications without taking the Louisiana trade exam and are also exempted from the 60-day waiting period. The contractor must:
Out-of-state applicants must still take the business and law course before the board issues a license.
The following states have agreements with Louisiana: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah.
As part of the licensing process, you will need business insurance in Louisiana, including:
General liability insurance is required for licensed general contractors in Louisiana. This coverage can help cover expenses for non-employees injured during a project or if there is any damage to property that doesn’t belong to you.
Residential contractors are required to have a minimum of $100,000 in coverage, mold contractors must have $50,000 and home improvement contractors must also have $100,000.
Residential, mold and home improvement contractors must submit certificates of insurance proving Louisiana workers’ compensation insurance coverage in compliance with state law. This ensures employees are covered if they become ill or get injured on the job.
Tools and equipment insurance covers power tools, hand tools, and other items you might use in the course of your work as a general contractor in Louisiana. It protects the investment you made in your contracting or construction business and ensures you can continue to work in the event of loss or damage.
Another type of insurance many general contractors in Louisiana consider is commercial auto insurance.
This type of insurance covers any vehicles that you use in the course of your business. It also can help to protect your business in case your employees get into an accident or are injured while driving.
If you own or rent property for your contracting business, Louisiana commercial property insurance can protect you from damage and vandalism.
NEXT can help you quickly get the coverage you need to protect your business. We’ve helped thousands of general contractors find customized insurance packages to meet licensing requirements.
Get an instant quote online to explore options for your business and get a certificate of insurance in under 10 minutes.
Amy Beardsley, insurance expert and contributing writer at NEXT Insurance, is a content marketing writer who specializes in small business coverage. Leveraging her background in the legal field, Amy brings a deep understanding of laws, regulations, and compliance requirements to her work. As a content marketing writer since 2016, she has contributed to publications like Legal & General, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, Insurify, and NerdWallet. Her work has also appeared in CNBC, Kiplinger, and US News. When she’s not writing, Amy enjoys playing cards with her family and experimenting with new recipes.
