The State of Louisiana defines Electrical Contractors as, any person or business who constructs, alters, moves, repairs, improves or demolishes electrical wiring, equipment, fixtures or appliances in a commercial or residential setting. The State requires Electrical Contractors to hold a license when the cost of the job exceeds $10,000 or more, including labor and materials.
Licenses are issued by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors. As part of the licensing process, the Board requires all contractors to submit an application, prove financial responsibility and pass a qualifying exam.
License Types for Electrical Contractors in Louisiana
The Board offers the following license types to Electrical Contractors:
- Commercial License
- Residential License
Electrical work is considered a sub-classification of these two major license types, as it is specialty trade work.
Once the contractor chooses commercial or residential work, they must indicate their license type and choose electrical work as a sub-classification for their license.
For more information about each license type, please visit the Board’s website:
The Board also offers Home Improvement Registration for contractors who plan to work on Home Improvement projects over $7,500. For more information please visit the Home Improvement Registration page of the Board’s website and view the application.
Financial Responsibility and Qualifying Party
As part of the application process, all contractors are required to prove financial responsibility. Contractors are required to prove a minimum net worth of $10,000.
In order to prove financial responsibility, contractors are required to submit an unaudited financial statement along with their application. It must be prepared by an independent auditor; showing the assets of the individual or business. Financial statements must be current, within the past 12 months.
Contractors may download sample copy of a financial statement from the Board’s website.
All businesses that are applying for a license are allowed to choose someone within their company to act as a Qualifying Party. The Qualifying Party is able to take the exam and hold the license classification on the business’ behalf.
Persons who may act a Qualifying Party include:
- Business Owner/ Sole Proprietor
- Spouse of Business Owner/ Sole Proprietor
- Partner in a Partnership
- Original Member of an LLC
- Original Incorporator/ Stockholder in the Articles of Incorporation of a Corporation
- Employee within the Contractor’s Business
For questions about the financial requirement or the Qualifying Party, please contact the Board at:
225-765-2301
Preparing and Submitting an Application
Contractors are required to submit an application in order to gain approval to take the exam.
Download a copy of the commercial and residential license application.
Be sure to read all directions and follow the instructions when filling out the application. Answer all questions within the application packet. If a question does not apply, indicate, “N/A” (not applicable).
On the application, be sure to indicate the type of business the contractor plans to operate, as well as the sub-classification the contractor is applying for; in this case, electrical.
All applications must be signed and dated. All signatures provided in the application packet must be notarized.
Contractors are required to provide the following information and documentation on/with their application:
- All contractors are required to provide their Social Security Number on the application
- Qualifying Party Form- signed and notarized, with information about the person who will act as the contractor’s Qualifying Party
- Financial Statement- signed and notarized, showing a net worth of at least $10,000
- Those applying for a Residential License are required to provide proof of general liability insurance in the minimum amount of $100,000; as well as proof of worker’s compensation insurance. All insurance information should be sent via email to:
insurance@lslbc.louisiana.gov
Contractors are also required to submit the appropriate fees along with the application. The cost to obtain a Commercial or Residential License with an Electrical sub-classification is $100.
There is also a $60 Background/Financial Investigation fee.
*If the contractor chooses to add additional classifications to their license, the fee increases. Contractors may view a schedule of fees on the Board’s website.
The Board accepts payments in the form of:
- Check
- Cashier’s Check
- Money Order
- Credit Card
*Make all checks payable to “State Board for Contractors.”
Submit the completed application along with all the required documents and fees to:
State Licensing Board for Contractors
2525 Quail Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Once the Board receives and accepts the contractor’s application, they will send an approval letter to the Qualifying Party, authorizing them to take the exam.
For questions about the application or the application process, please contact the Board at:
225-765-2301
The Examination Process
In order to register for the exam, the Qualifying Party will need the approval letter sent to them by the Board. The Board issues approval letters at the time that they accept the contractor’s license application.
This letter contains a unique exam ID number, which the Qualifying Party will need at the time they register for the exam. The Qualifying Party will also need to supply their Social Security Number.
*Please note that exam ID numbers have an expiration date, and are valid for only a limited period of time.
Qualifying Parties are required to pass a 2-part exam through the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors. This includes:
- Business & Law Exam- which covers laws and business knowledge related to contractors working in the State of Louisiana. This portion of the exam is open-book
- Electrical Trade Exam- which covers general knowledge related to the trade of electrical work
The Board’s Candidate Information Bulletin contains all the information needed to register for and prepare for the exam, including a list of suggested references and study materials.
*Reference books for the open-book Business and Law exam are provided on the day of the exam at the testing center.
The cost to take the exam is:
- $120- exam administration fee for the Business and Law exam
- $120- exam administration fee for the Trade Exam
- $75- per exam, convenience fee to take the exam at a testing center outside of Baton Rouge
Exam fees are payable by:
- Credit Card- on the exam registration website
- Check
- Cashier’s Check
- Money Order
*Make checks payable to “State Licensing Board for Contractors.”
When registering for the exam, the Qualifying Party may choose their preferred exam location. Testing Centers are located in:
- Baton Rouge
- New Orleans
- Alexandria
- Bossier
- Lake Charles
*After registering for the exam, the Qualifying Party will receive a confirmation email stating the date, time and location of their test.
On the day of the exam, be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled test to allow time for check-in. The Qualifying Party is also required to bring the following items to the testing center:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Exam approval letter with exam ID #- needed to access the computer-based test
The Qualifying Party must pass both portions of the exam with a score of 70% or higher.
If the Qualifying Party does not pass the exam on the first attempt, they must wait 30 days before they may schedule to re-take the test. The cost to re-take a portion of the exam is $120.
Upon passing both portions of the exam, the Board will issue the contractor’s license.
For questions about the exam or the examination process, contact the Board:
By Phone: 225-765-2301 ext 259
OR
How Long is a Louisiana Electrical Contractor License Valid?
Commercial and Residential Contractor Licenses are valid for a period of 1 year in the State of Louisiana. At renewal time, contractors will have the option of renewing their license for a 1, 2 or 3-year period.
The Board issues renewal notices approximately 30 days before the license is set to expire. This notice will also contain a user ID and password to access the Online Licensing Portal, if the contractor chooses to renew their license online.
All licensed Residential Electrical Contractors are required to provide proof of current, up-to-date general liability and workers compensation insurance at renewal time.
Residential Contractors are also required to attend a minimum of 6 hours of continuing education each year in order to renew their license. All continuing education courses must be approved by the Board.
For more information about continuing education, please visit the Board’s website.
*Commercial Electrical Contractors are not required to attend continuing education upon renewal.
For more information about license renewal for Commercial and Residential Contractors, please contact the Board:
225-765-2301
Table of Fees
| Fee | What is it For? | When is it Due? |
| $100 | License Fee to obtain and Electrical Classification for a Commercial or Residential License | Upon submitting the license application |
| $60 | Background/Financial Investigation Fee | Upon submitting the license application |
| $120 | Administration Fee to take the Business & Law portion of the exam | Upon registering for the exam |
| $120 | Administration Fee to take the Trade portion of the exam | Upon registering for the exam |
| $75 | Convenience Fee for each portion of the exam that is taken at a testing center outside of Baton Rouge | Upon registering for the exam |
| $120 | Cost to re-take a portion of the exam | Upon registering to re-take the exam |