Look up a Louisiana contractor with the State Licensing Board for Contractors before you hire. A license is required for most commercial or residential work of $50,000 or more, including labor and materials. Electrical, mechanical, or plumbing work exceeding $10,000 also requires a license.

The official search is at lslbc.louisiana.gov/contractor-search/. Only currently licensed or registered contractors appear in search results. The board notes that the information is provided as a courtesy and may not reflect recent changes, and that completeness and accuracy are not guaranteed. A truck magnet or a social-media page is not a license. The official office is 600 North Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, telephone 225-765-2301.

When is each official credential required?

The official types-of-licenses page and the board's licensing-requirements publication describe these thresholds, with project value including labor and materials:

• Commercial projects of $50,000 or more, and commercial subcontractor or specialty-trade work of $50,000 or more. The official types-of-licenses page defines commercial purpose as any construction project except residential structures with no more than two incorporated or attached dwelling units.
• Electrical, mechanical, or plumbing projects exceeding $10,000.
• Asbestos, hazardous waste, lead-based paint abatement or removal, and underground storage tank projects with a value of $1 or more.
• Residential construction exceeding $50,000 of a residential structure, defined as a building used primarily as a residence, including single-family dwellings and duplexes that are not more than three floors in height, and structures that are part of or adjacent to the residence.
• Home-improvement work on existing residential structures exceeding $50,000, which requires a residential license.
• Home improvement, meaning reconstruction, alteration, renovation, repair, modernization, conversion, improvement, removal, demolition, or an addition to a preexisting residential structure, when the project value is $7,500 or more. The board's licensing-requirements publication states that home-improvement projects exceeding $7,500 but not in excess of $50,000 must be bid or performed by a home improvement registrant or a licensed contractor.
• Residential swimming-pool work exceeding $7,500 requires the proper swimming-pool classification, even when a licensed residential builder bids the job.
• Mold remediation of $7,500 or more requires a mold remediation license.

The official publication also states that residential construction or home-improvement projects of $50,000 or more, or requiring any structural work, must be bid and performed by a licensed residential building contractor. If a job involves structural work below the $50,000 residential license figure, confirm the current official classification with the board rather than guessing.

What should the official search show?

Search the individual, the company, and the classification. Confirm that the license or registration is current, that the name matches the contract, and that the classification matches the work. Residential and commercial applications have published financial, examination, and insurance requirements, including, in the official requirements booklet, proof of general liability insurance with a minimum of $100,000 and workers' compensation coverage for residential licenses and for home-improvement registrations.

If someone offers to start work without a required license or registration, stop. R.S. 37:2159(D) provides that a contractor who fails to obtain a required license is not entitled to file a statement of claim or a lien for sums allegedly owed under a contract that required the license. The board investigates complaints and can act against people who violate the licensing law. Call 225-765-2301 and use the official complaint path on lslbc.gov.

What insurance and application items does the official booklet describe?

The official licensing-requirements publication states that residential and commercial applications often require $50,000 net worth, a Business and Law course, and an examination if applicable. Residential general liability coverage of $100,000 and workers' compensation coverage are listed for residential licenses. Home-improvement registration requires general liability insurance of $100,000 and workers' compensation coverage. Mold remediation licensing lists $25,000 net worth, $50,000 general liability, workers' compensation, and 24 hours of approved training.

Ask the contractor for the license or registration number and for current insurance certificates that match the name in the official search. The written-contract statute, R.S. 37:2159, requires current certificates of insurance proving workers' compensation coverage and the amount of liability coverage maintained, for any licensee for which insurance is a requirement, as part of the written agreement. No work shall begin prior to signing by all parties, and all parties shall be furnished a signed copy.

This article does not invent a contractor recovery-fund dollar cap. Official consumer tools described here are the license search, the written-contract and insurance-certificate requirements, board complaints, and the lien-claim bar for unlicensed work. File a complaint with the board at 225-765-2301 or through the official LSLBC site, and keep the contract, certificates, canceled checks, and photographs.

If the project is home-improvement work of $7,500 or more and not more than $50,000, confirm that the person holds a home-improvement registration or a contractor license. If the project exceeds $50,000, or requires structural work as the official requirements publication describes, confirm a residential building contractor license. Put the correct number in the contract before you pay a deposit.

If you are hiring a Louisiana builder, remodeler, or specialty contractor, talk with a licensed local agent about whether the work affects your homeowners coverage, and verify the official LSLBC license or registration before you sign or pay a deposit.

FAQ

What is the main $50,000 threshold?

A commercial or residential contractor license is required when the project value is $50,000 or more, including labor and materials, as the official types-of-licenses page describes. Home-improvement work on an existing residence that exceeds $50,000 also requires a residential license.

When is a home improvement registration enough?

The official requirements publication states that home-improvement projects exceeding $7,500 but not in excess of $50,000 must be bid or performed by a home improvement registrant or a licensed contractor.

Where do I look up a license?

Use the official Contractor Search at lslbc.louisiana.gov/contractor-search/. The board's published number is 225-765-2301.

What if the person is not licensed?

An unlicensed contractor who was required to be licensed is not entitled to file a claim or lien for money allegedly owed under that contract, under R.S. 37:2159(D). Contact the board before you pay more or sign.

Sources: LSLBC Types of Licenses, LSLBC Contractor Search, LSLBC Licensing Requirements publication, R.S. 37:2159.

R.S. 37:2159 requires a written contract for Louisiana contracting work that needs an LSLBC license or registration. All parties must receive a signed copy, and no work may begin before everyone signs. If someone offers to start on a handshake, stop and check the official search.

The older home-improvement contract statute, R.S. 37:2175.1, was repealed in 2022. The current official writing rule is section 2159, which applies to agreements that require licensure or registration as defined by the chapter, including home-improvement registration work.

What must the written contract include?

The statute requires all of the following documents and information:

• The complete agreement between the parties, including a clear description of any other documents which are or shall be incorporated into the agreement.
• The full names, addresses, and the license number of the contractor.
• A description of the work to be performed.
• The total amount agreed to be paid for the work, or an approximation of the cost expected to be borne by the owner under a cost-plus contract or a time-and-materials contract.
• The signature of all parties.
• Current certificates of insurance providing proof of workers' compensation coverage and the amount of liability coverage maintained for any licensee for which insurance is a requirement.

The official licensing-requirements publication states that residential license and home-improvement registration applications must include proof of general liability insurance with a minimum amount of $100,000 and proof of workers' compensation coverage. Ask for current certificates that match the name on the license, and keep them with the contract.

Contracts that fail to comply with section 2159 shall not be invalid solely because of noncompliance. That sentence is not a reason to skip the writing. It means a paperwork defect, by itself, is not the only issue a court would consider. The safer path is a complete, signed contract and no work until every party has signed and received a copy.

What happens if the contractor should have been licensed and was not?

No contractor who fails to obtain a license as provided in the chapter shall be entitled to file a statement of claim or a statement of lien or privilege with respect to monetary sums allegedly owed under any contract, whether express, implied, or otherwise, when any provision of the chapter requires that the contractor possess a license in order to have properly entered into such a contract. That official bar is one reason to verify the credential before you pay a deposit.

This article does not invent a statewide contractor recovery-fund dollar cap. Official consumer tools described here are the license search, the written-contract and insurance-certificate requirements, board complaints, and the lien-claim bar for unlicensed work. If you have a dispute, file a complaint with the board at 225-765-2301 or through the official LSLBC site, and keep the contract, certificates, canceled checks, and photographs. Ask the board about any current recovery or enforcement path that applies to that particular license or registration.

Home-improvement jobs of $7,500 or more, and not more than $50,000, generally require a home-improvement registration or a licensed contractor. Jobs exceeding $50,000, or requiring structural work as the official requirements publication describes, require a residential building contractor license. Put the correct license or registration number in the contract, and do not let work start until the paper is signed.

How do the official license thresholds fit the written contract?

Home-improvement jobs of $7,500 or more, and not more than $50,000, generally require a home-improvement registration or a licensed contractor. Jobs exceeding $50,000, or requiring structural work as the official requirements publication describes, require a residential building contractor license. Commercial projects of $50,000 or more require a commercial license. Electrical, mechanical, or plumbing work exceeding $10,000 requires the proper license, and certain hazardous-material work is licensed at $1 or more. Put the correct LSLBC number in the contract, and verify it at lslbc.louisiana.gov/contractor-search/ before you sign.

The official types-of-licenses page defines commercial purpose as any construction project except residential structures with no more than two incorporated or attached dwelling units. A residential structure is defined as a building used primarily as a residence, including single-family dwellings and duplexes that are not more than three floors in height, and structures that are part of or adjacent to the residence. Confirm the current official classification with the board if a job sits near those definitions.

The board's office is 600 North Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, telephone 225-765-2301. Use official lslbc.gov or lslbc.louisiana.gov pages. If you have a dispute, file a complaint with the board and keep the signed contract, insurance certificates, change orders, canceled checks, and photographs. Ask the board about any current recovery or enforcement path that applies to that particular license or registration, rather than relying on an unofficial dollar figure.

A written contract is not a substitute for a license, and a license is not a substitute for the written contract. Complete both steps, and do not allow work to begin until every party has signed and received a copy, as R.S. 37:2159 requires.

If you are hiring a Louisiana residential builder or remodeler, talk with a licensed local agent about whether the project affects your homeowners coverage, and do not allow work to begin without the official written contract and insurance certificates.

FAQ

Does Louisiana require a written contract for licensed or registered work?

Yes. R.S. 37:2159 requires a written agreement containing the official list of terms, signatures, and current insurance certificates for contracting services that require licensure or registration.

Can work start before the contract is signed?

No. The statute states that no work shall begin prior to the signing of the contract by all parties, and that all parties shall be furnished a signed copy at the time of signing.

What if the contract is missing a required item?

The contract is not invalid solely because of noncompliance with the section. Still, insist on a complete, signed contract and current insurance certificates before work starts.

Can an unlicensed contractor file a lien?

Not when the chapter required a license in order to enter the contract. R.S. 37:2159(D) bars a statement of claim or lien for sums allegedly owed in that situation.

Sources: R.S. 37:2159, LSLBC Types of Licenses, LSLBC Contractor Search, LSLBC Licensing Requirements publication.