Louisiana Electrical Contractor

To get a electrical contractor license in Louisiana, apply with the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC), designate a qualifying party, pass the Electrical Contractor trade exam, complete the Louisiana Business & Law course, and submit a financial statement showing at least $10,000 net worth. Licensing is required for electrical work over $10,000. LSLBC PSI transition Financial Statement form

Requirements last verified: 2026-10-30

Requirement	Details
Licensing agency	Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC). For Contractors
When a license is required	Electrical/Mechanical/Plumbing work over $10,000 (labor + materials) requires licensure; other commercial work threshold is $50,000. LSLBC thresholds License types
Qualifying party & exams	Designate a qualifying party; pass Electrical Contractor trade exam (PSI) and complete the Louisiana Business & Law course/exam in the LSLBC portal. Business & Law delivery PSI testing PSI fee bulletin (CE)
Fees (state)	• License fee: $100; Renewal fee: $100 (statutory caps). R.S. 37:2156 • Classification fee: $95 per classification per year. LSLBC form • Business & Law course/exam fee: $150 (paid to LSLBC). LSLBC form • Electrical Contractor trade exam (PSI) fee: $57 per attempt (per PSI bulletin). PSI • Nonresident surcharge: up to $400 if not domiciled in LA. R.S. 37:2156
Financial requirement	Financial statement (within 12 months) verifying minimum $10,000 net worth; letter of credit allowed if short. LSLBC Financial Statement R.S. 37:2156.1
Minimum age	No explicit age in statute; licenses are issued to business entities/sole proprietors with a natural-person qualifying party. Contractors Licensing Law
Insurance/Bond	General liability is required for Residential and Home Improvement licenses (per LSLBC checklist). Not mandated for Commercial/Specialty by LSLBC, though owners/localities may require. LSLBC checklist
Renewal	Initial license valid 1 year, then renew for 1, 2, or 3 years on anniversary date via portal. Renew your license
Processing	LSLBC issues the license as soon as all requirements are met. Checklist note

How to get a electrical contractor license in Louisiana

1. Confirm you need the license. If your electrical scope is over $10,000 including materials, you must hold the Electrical Work (Statewide) classification. LSLBC thresholds
2. Organize your business and qualifying party. Form your business (or operate as a sole proprietor) and designate a qualifying party for both the Electrical classification and Business & Law. R.S. 37:2156.1
3. Prepare your financial statement. Complete LSLBC’s Financial Statement showing at least $10,000 net worth (within 12 months) or upload an irrevocable letter of credit for any shortfall. Form + instructions
4. Apply online with LSLBC. Start the application in the LSLBC Contractor Portal and select the Electrical Work (Statewide) classification. Apply for a license
5. Take the Business & Law course/exam. After application review, the qualifying party completes the Louisiana Business & Law in the LSLBC portal (fee $150). What happens after I apply Fee reference
6. Schedule and pass the trade exam. Register with PSI for the Electrical Contractor (CE) exam; fee is $57 per attempt per PSI’s bulletin. Testing info PSI bulletin
7. Submit insurance if applicable. If you also hold Residential or Home Improvement authority, have your agent email required GL/Workers’ Comp certificates to LSLBC. Insurance submission
8. Pay issuance/annual classification fees and receive your license. Pay the $100 license fee and $95 per-classification annual fee; nonresidents may owe up to a $400 surcharge. Statute fees Classification fee

Louisiana electrical contractor license: key details

Louisiana licenses businesses as contractors; there is no statewide journeyman/master electrician license from LSLBC. Your qualifying party must complete the Business & Law and trade requirements, and your firm must meet financial standards. Contracts and permits in some parishes (for example, New Orleans) can have additional local licensing rules beyond LSLBC.

Budget not just for state fees but also exam prep and local permitting. If you’re comparing trades, our guide to HVAC contractor license costs in Louisiana breaks down typical line items, and our step-by-step Louisiana HVAC contractor license process shows how timing and paperwork align with LSLBC rules—useful parallels for electrical contractors.

Exams for the Louisiana electrical contractor license

Business & Law (LSLBC portal)

After LSLBC pre-approves your application, your qualifying party completes the online Business & Law course/exam in the LSLBC Contractor Portal; the Board lists a $150 Business & Law fee on current forms. Course/exam delivery Fee reference

Electrical Contractor trade exam (PSI)

All trade exams transitioned to PSI on August 5, 2025. The PSI bulletin lists the Electrical Contractor (CE) exam at $57 per attempt; schedule via PSI once eligible. PSI transition PSI bulletin

Financials, thresholds, and insurance

Every new commercial/specialty applicant must submit LSLBC’s Financial Statement showing at least $10,000 net worth, dated within 12 months; a letter of credit can satisfy any shortfall. Licensure is required for electrical contracts over $10,000. Residential/Home Improvement categories have specific insurance proof requirements at application and renewal. Financial Statement R.S. 37:2156.1 $10,000 threshold Insurance checklist

Renewing a Louisiana electrical contractor license

Your initial license is valid for one year; thereafter you may renew for one, two, or three years on the anniversary date via the LSLBC portal. Renewal notices are emailed 60 and 15 days before expiration. Renewal process R.S. 37:2156(H)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a state electrician card (journeyman/master) to get licensed?

No. LSLBC licenses contracting businesses, not individual electricians. You must designate a qualifying party and meet exam and financial requirements. Local jurisdictions may separately license electricians for permitting. Contractors Licensing Law

How much does it cost to obtain the license?

Typical state costs include the $100 license fee, $95/year per classification, $150 Business & Law fee (LSLBC portal), and the PSI Electrical trade exam at $57 per attempt. Nonresidents may owe up to a $400 surcharge. Statute fees LSLBC form PSI

Is there a required number of experience hours?

No set hours are prescribed by LSLBC. The qualifying party must pass the Business & Law and trade requirements, and the company must meet the $10,000 net worth standard. R.S. 37:2156.1 Exam process

How fast can LSLBC issue the license?

LSLBC issues the license as soon as all requirements are met (application approval, Business & Law completion, PSI trade pass, fees/financials, any required insurance). Checklist note

Do I need insurance for a Commercial/Specialty electrical license?

LSLBC’s blanket insurance requirement applies to Residential and Home Improvement. Commercial/Specialty electrical is not assigned a minimum GL amount by LSLBC, but owners and parishes commonly require coverage. LSLBC checklist

What if my net worth is under $10,000?

You may satisfy the requirement by submitting an irrevocable letter of credit for the net worth requirement plus any negative net worth. R.S. 37:2156.1

Ready to get licensed faster? License Navigator builds state-specific checklists, timelines, and exam prep plans so you can pass PSI and open electrical permits on schedule.