Louisiana Electrical License: LSLBC Guide

Who licenses electrical contractors in Louisiana

The statutes of the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) provide for four basic license types. These are contractor licenses issued to a business, not individual electrician cards. [Source: LSLBC Types of Licenses]

A Commercial license is required for Electrical/Mechanical/Plumbing projects exceeding $10,000 including labor and materials. [Source: LSLBC Types of Licenses]

State law defines an electrical contractor as anyone who undertakes the wiring, fixtures, or appliances for the supply of electricity to any residential, commercial, or other project, for which the project value is ten thousand dollars or more. LSLBC's pages, cited above, word the threshold slightly differently. [Source: La. R.S. 37:2150.1(6)]

The Electrical classification

LSLBC lists Electrical as Major Classification 5 with a trade exam, covering the installation, construction, alteration, improvement, movement, maintenance, repair, or demolition of wiring, cabling, fixtures, appliances, equipment, and/or hardware for the supply of electricity to any structure, building, or project provided the value exceeds $10,000. [Source: LSLBC Exams and Classifications]

Low voltage or fiber optic work requires Electrical if any portion of the work involves the installation of equipment, mounting hardware, wiring, etc. which penetrate walls, ceilings, floors, closed spaces, or the building envelope. [Source: LSLBC Exams and Classifications]

Electrical Controls and Instrumentation and Calibration (5.1) needs a trade exam, while Telecommunications, Low Voltage (5.2) needs no trade exam. [Source: LSLBC Exams and Classifications]

Electrical Transmission Lines (3.2) also needs a trade exam, and it is a subclassification of both Electrical and Heavy Construction. [Source: LSLBC Exams and Classifications]

The exams

All trade examinations previously administered by LSLBC have transitioned to PSI Services LLC (PSI), effective August 5, 2025, and examination scheduling and payment are managed directly through PSI. [Source: LSLBC Test Registration and Scheduling]

Candidates who have been approved for testing by the LSLBC will receive an eligibility letter from PSI, and exam content outlines and study reference lists are on PSI's website. [Source: LSLBC Test Registration and Scheduling]

Trade exams are scheduled through PSI, while the Louisiana Business and Law exam is taken from the LSLBC Contractor Licensing Portal; the 50-question test takes approximately 30-45 minutes to complete, and you must score a 70 or above to pass. [Source: LSLBC What Happens After I Apply]

How to apply

All applicants must complete an online application and pay all fees. [Source: LSLBC licensure checklist]

A Qualifying Party must be added to the license and must pass any examination required for a classification, and the Qualifying Party must complete the Business & Law course. [Source: LSLBC licensure checklist]

As long as you are licensed with the LSLBC, you must maintain a Qualifying Party for Business and Law and for each classification carried on your license. [Source: LSLBC licensure checklist]

Fee caps in state law

State law caps LSLBC fees: the examination fee may not exceed $50.00, the license fee may not exceed $100.00 and the renewal fee may not exceed $100.00. These are legal maximums, not posted fee amounts. [Source: La. R.S. 37:2156(C), LSLBC Contractors Licensing Law booklet, August 1, 2025]

New Orleans Class D journeyman license

The City of New Orleans requires electricians performing work within the city to obtain and renew annually an Electrical License from the City, and electricians with ICC certifications can apply as Class D Journeyman Electricians. [Source: City of New Orleans, Class D Journeyman Electrical License]

Applicants must submit a passing ICC Official Results Report F17 for the National Standard Journeyman Electrician exam and must be at least 18 years of age, and the fee is $60.00 annual. [Source: City of New Orleans, Class D Journeyman Electrical License]

Under the city code, a journeyman electrician must be employed by and work under the supervision of a Class "A" Electrical Contractor. [Source: City of New Orleans, Class D Journeyman Electrical License]

State law excludes electrical contractors licensed by LSLBC from local, municipal, or parish regulatory authority examination procedures, and it excludes the employees of statewide-licensed electrical contractors from local, municipal, or parish regulatory examination or certification authority as a condition to performing work for that contractor. [Source: La. R.S. 37:2156.1(H), LSLBC Contractors Licensing Law booklet, August 1, 2025]