Louisiana HVAC & Mechanical Licensing Law

Louisiana Code · 5 sections

The following is the full text of Louisiana’s hvac & mechanical licensing law statutes as published in the Louisiana Code. For the official version, see the Louisiana Legislature.

La. R.S. 37:1361

CHAPTER 16. PLUMBERS

§1361. State Plumbing Board; appointments; qualifications; legislative intent; authority

A. The purpose of the legislature in enacting this Chapter is the protection of the health, safety, environment, and general welfare of all those persons who use and rely upon plumbing, and medical gas and vacuum systems for their personal or commercial needs, and the affording to such persons of an effective and practical protection against incompetent, inexperienced, or unlawful acts by persons who perform plumbing and medical gas and vacuum systems work. Further, the legislative intent is that the State Plumbing Board shall be the sole and exclusive agency in this state empowered to license natural persons and regulated business entities engaged or seeking to engage in the business of plumbing and medical gas and vacuum systems installation and verification and to ensure compliance with the licensing requirements of this Chapter. Nothing herein shall preclude any current authority of the State Licensing Board for Contractors.

B. The State Plumbing Board is created. The board, which shall be appointed by the governor, shall consist of one registered mechanical engineer who is also licensed by the State Plumbing Board, one plumbing inspector who is also licensed by the State Plumbing Board, five master plumbers, one journeyman plumber, one residential plumber limited, and two members of the public. Each appointment shall be made in the following manner: (1) The registered mechanical engineer shall be from a list of three names submitted by the Louisiana Department of Health.

(2) The plumbing inspector shall be from a list of three names submitted by the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council.

(3)(a) Three active master plumbers shall be from a list of nine names submitted by the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of Louisiana or its successor.

(b) Two master plumbers shall be from a list of six names submitted by the Louisiana Pipe Trades Association or its successor.

(4) The journeyman plumber shall be from a list of three names submitted by the Louisiana Pipe Trades Association or its successor.

(5) The residential plumber limited by the governor.

(6) One member of the public shall be from a list of three names submitted by the speaker of the House of Representatives.

(7) One member of the public shall be from a list of three names submitted by the president of the Senate.

C. The board shall be a corporate body, may sue and be sued, and shall possess in addition to the powers herein granted, all the usual powers incident to corporation.

D. All members shall be qualified electors of this state and, except for the public members, shall be licensed by the board. The public members shall represent the general public and shall not earn their livelihood in a construction-related industry.

E. Six members shall constitute a quorum.

F.(1)(a) The board shall be the sole and exclusive agency in this state empowered to license any natural person or regulated business entity who is engaged or who seeks to engage in the business of gas fitting work for the general public that includes installation, repair, improvement, alterations, or removal of natural gas piping, tanks, and appliances annexed to real property.

(b) Nothing in Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph shall be construed to supersede any of the following:

(i) The authority of the State Licensing Board for Contractors to regulate mechanical contractors as defined in R.S. 37:2150.1.

(ii) The authority of the Louisiana Liquefied Petroleum Gas Commission to regulate gas fitter installations pursuant to R.S. 40:1846.

(c) The board is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations related to gas fitting, and those rules and regulations shall preempt any conflicting local laws.

(2)(a) Notwithstanding any provision of a home rule charter to the contrary, the provisions of this Section shall preempt any municipal or other local regulatory examination authority relative to gas fitters and master gas fitters.

(b) No municipal or other local regulatory authority shall require any gas fitter or master gas fitter to apply for or to maintain any gas fitter or master gas fitter's license, or any equivalent thereof, as a condition to perform gas fitting work in any municipality or other local jurisdiction unless that gas fitter or master gas fitter's license is issued by the board.

(c) A municipality or other local regulatory authority may assess and collect locally adopted fees and charges relative to gas fitting work, as defined in R.S. 37:1377, that is performed in their respective jurisdictions but only from persons licensed pursuant to R.S. 37:1368.

Acts 1964, No. 498, §1; Acts 1990, No. 752, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1991; Acts 1999, No. 1020, §1, eff. July 9, 1999; Acts 2016, No. 297, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2017; Acts 2016, No. 515, §1; Acts 2023, No. 152, §1; Acts 2024, No. 721, §1; Acts 2025, No. 438, §1, eff. June 20, 2025.

La. R.S. 37:1377

§1377. Definitions; exceptions

A. Master plumber. A "master plumber" is a natural person who possesses the necessary qualifications and knowledge to plan and lay out plumbing systems; who supervises journeyman plumbers in the installation, alteration, and/or repair of plumbing systems; and who is licensed as such by the board.

B.(1) Journeyman plumber. A "journeyman plumber" is a natural person who possesses the necessary qualifications and knowledge to install, alter, repair, and maintain plumbing systems; is licensed as such by the board; is supervised by a master plumber; and is in the employ of an employing entity.

(2) Residential plumber limited. A " residential plumber limited" is a natural person who possesses the necessary qualifications and knowledge to install, alter, repair, and maintain plumbing systems and is licensed by the board to install, alter, repair, and maintain plumbing systems in one- and two-family dwellings at the direction of a master plumber without the supervision of a journeyman plumber.

C.(1) Apprentice plumber. An "apprentice plumber" is a natural person engaged in learning the plumbing trade by working under the direct, on-the-job supervision of a journeyman plumber and in the employ of an employing entity. Apprentice plumbers shall be indentured in an apprenticeship program approved by Louisiana Works or unindentured and in the employ of an employing entity.

(2) Apprentice gas fitter. An "apprentice gas fitter" is a natural person engaged in learning the gas fitting trade by working under the direct, on-the-job supervision of a gas fitter and in the employ of an employing entity. Apprentice gas fitters shall be indentured in an apprenticeship program approved by Louisiana Works or may be unindentured and in the employ of an employing entity.

D. Plumbing. "Plumbing" is the work or business of installing in buildings and on premises the pipes, fixtures, and other apparatus for supplying water, or removing liquid waste and/or water-borne waste, and fixtures, vessels and process piping that is in direct contact with products for human consumption. The term is also used to designate the installed fixtures, drainage fixtures and water distribution systems of buildings or premises. For purposes of this Chapter the definition of plumbing given above will not include:

(1) Water used in manufacturing establishments for processing products that are not for human consumption.

(2) Drilling of water wells.

(3) Community water supply distribution system or systems.

(4) Community sewage collection or treating system or systems.

(5) Fixtures, vessels or piping used by manufacturing establishments for removal of any waste other than human, vegetable or animal waste.

(6) All piping used for heating or cooling where it is not directly connected with a potable water supply system.

(7) All piping used for conveying oil, gas or other hydrocarbons.

(8) Work done by an individual on his own personal residence.

(9) Work done by an owner, management company, its agents, employees, or assigns for maintenance work to be carried out upon the owner's property, as such maintenance work is defined by rules of the State Plumbing Board. Such maintenance work shall specifically not include construction or installation.

E. Exceptions. Provided, however, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the term "plumbing" shall not include pipes, fixtures, and other apparatus of any nature whatsoever used in manufacturing plants, or used in the exploration for, production of, or transportation of oil, gas, or other minerals, whether before, during, or after installation.

F. Medical gas piping. "Medical gas piping installation" is the work or business of installing in buildings and premises piping used solely to transport gases for medical purposes.

G. Water supply protection. "Water supply protection" is the work or business of installing, repairing, or maintaining backflow prevention devices hooked directly to a drinking water supply system and located on the property of the entity owning the water supply system and associated with "plumbing" as that term is defined in this Section.

H. Medical gas and vacuum systems verifier. A "medical gas and vacuum systems verifier" is a natural person who possesses the necessary qualifications and knowledge to test and verify the operation of medical gas and vacuum pipeline systems, subject to the professional qualifications standard established by the American Society of Sanitary Engineering Series 6000, Standard No. 6030, and who is licensed as such by the board.

I. Gas fitter. A "gas fitter" includes any natural person who possesses the necessary qualifications and knowledge to install, alter, repair, improve, remove, or test natural gas piping, tanks, and appliances annexed to real property but does not include any person who is licensed by the Louisiana Liquefied Petroleum Gas Commission or any services or work performed pursuant to such a license.

J. Master gas fitter. A "master gas fitter" includes any natural person who possesses the necessary skills, abilities, proficiency, and qualifications to plan and lay out the details for installing and supervising the work of installing, repairing, and maintaining types of materials and equipment used for the construction, repair, removal, or improvement to natural gas piping systems and tanks annexed to real property but does not include any person who is licensed by the Louisiana Liquefied Petroleum Gas Commission or any services or work performed pursuant to such a license.

K. Gas fitting. "Gas fitting" means the work or business of installing, repairing, improving, altering, or removing natural gas piping, fittings, valves, or tanks used for conveying fuel gas for appliances on or in premises or in buildings annexed to immovable property. For purposes of this Chapter, gas fitting does not include the following:

(1) The installation or maintenance of piping by any entity of a municipal or gas district system that is subject to the regulatory authority of the Public Service Commission, the New Orleans City Council, or the office of pipeline safety in the Department of Conservation and Energy.

(2) Any work done by a person who is licensed by the Louisiana Liquefied Petroleum Gas Commission or any other services performed pursuant to such a license.

(3)(a) Piping connection, disconnection, or reconnection from the outlet side of the appliance shutoff valve to the appliance inlet.

(b) The following persons or entities shall not be construed as a gas fitter or master gas fitter for any purposes of this Chapter solely due to the performance of services described in Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph:

(i) Any person or business entity licensed by the State Licensing Board for Contractors as a mechanical contractor.

(ii) Any person or business entity classified under the heating, air conditioning, ventilation, duct work, and refrigeration subclassification of mechanical contractors pursuant to R.S. 37:2156.2.

Acts 1964, No. 498, §1; Acts 1968, No. 298, §1; Acts 1990, No. 752, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1991; Acts 1990, No. 771, §1; Acts 1992, No. 447, §4; Acts 1995, No. 824, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1020, §1, eff. July 9, 1999; Acts 2008, No. 743, §7, eff. July 1, 2008; Acts 2016, No. 297, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2017; Acts 2016, No. 515, §1; Acts 2018, No. 253, §1, eff. May 17, 2018; Acts 2023, No. 150, §11, eff. Jan 10, 2024; Acts 2023, No. 152, §1; Acts 2024, No. 721, §1.

La. R.S. 37:2150.1

§2150.1. Definitions

As used in this Chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:

(1) "Board" means the State Licensing Board for Contractors.

(2) "Commercial" means any construction project except residential structures intended to be primarily occupied as a residence with no more than two separate dwelling units incorporated into one structure.

(3) "Contract" means an agreement to perform a scope of work that is regulated by this Chapter. The project value includes the entire cost of the labor, materials, rentals, and all direct and indirect project expenses. The cost of materials, rentals, and direct and indirect expenses shall be included regardless of who pays the costs or if they are donated. The "principal contract" is the agreement to perform the entire scope of work for a construction project.

(4)(a) "Contractor" means any person who undertakes to, attempts to, or submits a price or bid or offers to construct, supervise, superintend, oversee, direct, perform, or in any manner assume charge of the construction, alteration, repair, improvement, movement, demolition, putting up, tearing down, furnishing labor, or furnishing labor together with material or equipment, or installing material or equipment for any of the following:

(i) Any building, highway, road, railroad, sewer, grading, excavation, pipeline, public utility structure, project development, housing, or housing development, improvement, or any other construction undertaking for which the project value is fifty thousand dollars or more when the property is to be used for commercial purposes.

(ii) Any new residential structure for which the project value is fifty thousand dollars or more when the property is used for residential purposes.

(iii) Any improvements or repairs to an existing residential structure for which the project value is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more.

(iv) Any mold remediation for which the project value is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more.

(b) The term "contractor" includes persons who receive an additional fee for the employment or direction of labor, or any other work beyond the normal architectural or engineering services.

(c) A contractor holding a license in the major classification of hazardous materials, or any subclassifications thereunder, is defined in terms of work performed for which the project value is one dollar or more.

(d) "Contractor" does not mean any person, supplier, manufacturer, or employee of such person who assembles, repairs, maintains, moves, puts up, tears down, or disassembles any patented or proprietary equipment supplied by such person to a contractor to be used solely by the contractor for a construction undertaking. "Proprietary" means specific and specialized equipment installation, manufacturing processes, used, or components that are protected from disclosure to third parties by the owner or manufacturer of the equipment.

(5) "Controlled access" means the complete building or facility area under direct physical control within which an unauthorized person is denied access.

(6) "Electrical contractor" means any person who undertakes to, attempts to, or submits a price or bid or offers to construct, supervise, superintend, oversee, direct, perform, or in any manner assume charge of the construction, alteration, repair, improvement, movement, demolition, putting up, tearing down, or furnishing labor together with material and equipment, or installing the same for 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. This Paragraph is not deemed or construed to limit the authority of a contractor, general contractor, or residential contractor, as those terms are defined in this Section, nor to require such individuals to become an electrical contractor.

(7) "Employee" means a worker whose employer deducts taxes from his wages and reports his annual earnings to the Internal Revenue Service using a W-2 form.

(8) "Executive director" means the person appointed by the board to serve as the chief operating officer in connection with the day-to-day operation of the board's business. The executive director is the appointing authority for all employees of the board.

(9)(a) "General contractor" means a person who contracts directly with the owner. The term "general contractor" includes the term "primary contractor" and wherever used in this Chapter or in regulations promulgated thereunder "primary contractor" means "general contractor".

(b) "General contractor" does not mean any person, supplier, manufacturer, or employee of such person who assembles, repairs, maintains, moves, puts up, tears down, or disassembles any patented or proprietary equipment supplied by such person to a contractor to be used solely by the contractor for a construction undertaking.

(10) "Home improvement" means the reconstruction, alteration, renovation, repair, modernization, conversion, improvement, removal, or demolition, or the construction of an addition to any preexisting residential structure which building is used or designed to be used as a residence or dwelling unit, or to structures which are adjacent to such residence or building for which the project value is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more. "Home improvement" does not include services rendered gratuitously.

(11) "Home improvement contractor" means any person who undertakes or attempts to undertake or submits a price or bid or offers to construct, supervise, superintend, oversee, direct, perform, or in any manner assume charge of a home improvement project for which the project value is at least seven thousand five hundred dollars but less than fifty thousand dollars. A home improvement contractor shall not perform any structural work that is integral to the structural integrity of any new or existing structure, including but not limited to footings, foundations, outside walls, skeleton, bearing columns and interior load bearing walls, floor slabs, or roofing systems to any type.

(12) "License" means any form of license or registration the board is authorized to issue in accordance with this Chapter.

(13) "Mechanical contractor" means any person who undertakes to, attempts to, or submits a price or bid or offers to construct, supervise, superintend, oversee, direct, perform, or in any manner assume charge of the construction, alteration, repair, improvement, movement, demolition, putting up, tearing down, or furnishing labor, or furnishing labor together with material and equipment, or installing the same for the construction, installation, maintenance, testing, and repair of air conditioning, refrigeration, heating systems, and plumbing for all residential, commercial, and industrial applications as well as ventilation systems, mechanical work controls, boilers and other pressure vessels, steam and hot water systems and piping, gas piping and fuel storage, and chilled water and condensing water systems and piping, including but not limited to any type of industrial process piping and related valves, fittings, and components, for which the project value is ten thousand dollars or more. This Paragraph is not deemed or construed to limit the authority of a contractor, general contractor, or residential contractor, as those terms are defined in this Section, nor to require such individuals to become a mechanical contractor.

(14) "Mold remediation contractor" means any person who engages in removal, cleaning, sanitizing, demolition, or other treatment, including preventative activities, of mold or mold-contaminated matter that was not purposely grown at that location for which the project value is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more. Mold remediation applies only to the regulation of mold-related activities that affect indoor air quality and does not apply to routine cleaning when not conducted for the purpose of mold-related activities intended to affect indoor air quality.

(15) "Person" means any individual, firm, partnership, association, cooperative, corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, or any other entity recognized by Louisiana law; and whether or not acting as a principal, trustee, fiduciary, receiver, or as any other kind of legal or personal representative, or as a successor in interest, assignee, agent, factor, servant, employee, director, officer, or any other representative of such person; or any state or local governing authority or political subdivision.

(16) "Plumbing contractor" means any person who installs, maintains, and repairs potable and nonpotable tap water or sewer systems within a building structure or residential structure for which the project value is ten thousand dollars or more.

(17) "Principal" means an owner, shareholder, or an officer or director of a corporation; a member or manager of a limited liability company; a general partner of a partnership; a sole proprietor; a trustee; or a full-time employee with similar operational control or significant influence with respect to any person as determined by the board.

(18) "Qualifying party" means a natural person designated by the contractor to represent the contractor for the purpose of complying with the provisions of this Chapter including but not limited to meeting the requirements for the initial license and any continuation thereof.

(19)(a) "Residential contractor" means any person who constructs a fixed building or structure for sale or use by another as a residence or who, for a price, commission, fee, wage, or other compensation, undertakes or offers to undertake the construction or superintending of the construction of any residential structure which is not more than three floors in height, to be used by another as a residence, for which the project value is fifty thousand dollars or more. The term "residential contractor" includes all persons who receive an additional fee for the employment or direction of labor, or any other work beyond the normal architectural or engineering services.

(b) "Residential contractor" includes both of the following:

(i) Any person bidding or performing home improvement for which the project value is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more.

(ii) Any person performing the installation of a modular home with a value equal to or greater than fifty thousand dollars for which the total project value shall not include the cost of the component parts of the modular home in the condition each part leaves the factory pursuant to R.S. 40:1730.71.

(c) "Residential contractor" does not include any person engaged in building residential structures that are built to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's construction standards for manufactured housing as outlined at 42 U.S.C. 5401 et seq., or mounted on a metal chassis and wheels.

(20) "Residential roofing" means the construction, alteration, repair, improvement, demolition, putting up, tearing down, furnishing labor, or furnishing labor together with materials or equipment, or the installation of materials or equipment for any phase of roofing specific to a residential structure for which the project value is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more.

(21) "Residential roofing contractor" means any person who undertakes to, attempts to, or submits a price or bid, or offers to construct, supervise, superintend, oversee, direct, perform, or in any manner assume charge of a residential roofing project for which the project value is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more.

(22) "Residential structure" means a building or structure that is used primarily for occupancy by a person as a residence. Such structures or buildings include but are not limited to single family dwellings and duplexes which are not more than three floors in height and structures that are part of or adjacent to the building or structures to be used as a residence. A residential structure more than three floors in height may be built by a person holding a building construction and residential construction license.

(23) "Subcontract" means an agreement to perform a portion of the scope of work contained in the principal contract including the entire cost of labor and materials of that part of the principal contract which is performed by the subcontractor.

(24)(a) "Subcontractor" means a person who contracts to perform a scope of work that is a part of the scope of work contained in the principal contract.

(b) "Subcontractor" does not include any person, supplier, or manufacturer who assembles, repairs, maintains, moves, puts up, tears down, or disassembles any patented or proprietary equipment supplied by such person to a contractor to be used solely by the contractor for a construction undertaking.

Acts 1992, No. 681, §1, eff. July 6, 1992; Acts 1995, No. 638, §1, eff. Feb. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 146, §1; Acts 1997, No. 770, §1; Acts 2003, No. 643, §1; Acts 2003, No. 1146, §2; Acts 2007, No. 398, §1; Acts 2008, No. 725, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2009; Acts 2019, No. 371, §1; Acts 2022, No. 195, §1; Acts 2024, No. 178, §1; Acts 2025, No. 422, §1.

La. R.S. 37:2151

§2151. State licensing board for contractors; membership; qualifications; tenure; vacancies; term limits

A. There is hereby created the State Licensing Board for Contractors within the office of the governor. The members shall serve without compensation.

(1) Each member shall be of full age of majority and shall have been a resident of the state of Louisiana for the last five successive years.

(2) Each member shall have been actively engaged as a responsible contractor in the construction classification that he represents for the five-year period prior to his appointment as a board member, except for any member appointed pursuant to Paragraph (B)(7) of this Section if he represents the public at large.

(3) There shall be at least one board member from each congressional district in the state of Louisiana.

B. The members shall be selected and appointed as follows:

(1) At least four members shall have had the greater part of their experience as a licensed contractor in the field of highway and street construction. Three members shall be appointed from a list of six names submitted by the Louisiana Associated General Contractors. One member shall be appointed from a list of three names submitted by the Louisiana Asphalt Pavement Association.

(2) At least six members shall have had the greater part of their experience as a licensed contractor in the fields of building or industrial construction, or both fields. Two members shall be appointed from a list of four names submitted by the Louisiana Associated General Contractors. Four members shall be appointed from a list of eight names submitted by the Associated Builders and Contractors of Louisiana.

(3) At least one member shall have had the greater part of his experience as a licensed contractor in the field of mechanical construction, and shall be appointed from a list of three names submitted by the Mechanical Contractors Association of Louisiana.

(4) At least one member shall have had the greater part of his experience as a licensed contractor in the field of electrical construction, and shall be appointed from a list of three names submitted by the Louisiana Council of the National Electrical Contractors Association.

(5) There shall be one member with the greater part of his experience as a licensed concrete contractor. The speaker of the House of Representatives shall submit to the governor a list of three members of the Louisiana Concrete Association, and the governor shall appoint this member.

(6) There shall be one member with the greater part of his experience as a subcontractor. The president of the Senate shall submit to the governor a list of three members of the American Subcontractors Association of Louisiana, and the governor shall appoint this member.

(7) At least three members shall be from and represent the public at large and shall not earn their livelihood in a construction-related industry.

(8) At least one member shall have had the greater experience as a licensed contractor in the field of oil field construction and shall be appointed from a list of three names submitted by the Louisiana Oilfield Contractors Association.

(9) There shall be one member from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

C. All vacancies shall be filled within ninety days of the vacancy, by appointment of the governor within the classification of area and qualification where the vacancy shall occur.

D. Members shall serve terms of six years. No member appointed after August 1, 2025, shall serve more than three consecutive terms. A member may be removed by the governor for cause or at the request of the chairman for failure to attend more than half of the regularly scheduled meetings within a twelve-month period or for cause.

Added by Acts 1956, No. 233, §1; Amended by Acts 1964, No. 113, §1; Acts 1976, No. 377, §1; Acts 1981, No. 668, §1; Acts 1984, No. 916, §1, eff. July 20, 1984; Acts 1985, No. 645, §1, eff. July 16, 1985; Acts 1991, No. 649, §§1 and 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 344, §1; Acts 1992, No. 681, §1, eff. July 6, 1992; Acts 2001, No. 8, §12, eff. July 1, 2001; Acts 2018, No. 529, §1; Acts 2019, No. 371, §1; Acts 2024, No. 227, §1; Acts 2025, No. 422, §1.

La. R.S. 37:2156.1

§2156.1. Requirements for issuance of a license

A. To become licensed in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter, an applicant shall make application to the board on a form adopted by the board and shall state the classifications for which he is applying from the list of major classifications listed herein or from the list of subclassifications and specialty classification as adopted by rule. The major classifications are:

(1) Building construction.

(2) Highway, street, and bridge construction.

(3) Heavy construction.

(4) Municipal and public works construction.

(5) Electrical.

(6) Mechanical.

(7) Plumbing.

(8) Hazardous materials.

(9) Residential construction.

(10) Mold remediation.

(11) Home improvement.

B.(1) An applicant for a license or registration shall submit a financial statement on a form supplied by the board, current to within twelve months of the date of filing the application, prepared and signed by an accountant, bookkeeper, or certified public accountant and signed by the applicant, attesting the statement is true and correct. In lieu of a signature by a certified public accountant on the board's form, a current financial statement prepared by a certified public accountant may be attached.

(2) Residential and commercial licenses, their subclassifications, and all specialty classifications with the exception of labor only specialty, shall have a net worth of fifty thousand dollars or more. Home improvement, mold remediation, and labor only specialties shall have a net worth of twenty-five thousand dollars or more. An applicant without the net worth required by this Paragraph may satisfy the net worth requirement for all purposes by submitting an irrevocable letter of credit in the amount of the net worth requirement plus the amount of the applicant's negative net worth if any. The financial statement and any information contained therein, as well as any other financial information required to be submitted by a contractor, shall be confidential and not subject to the provisions of the Public Records Law, R.S. 44:1 et seq.

C. The applicant, each principal, and each designated qualifying party shall complete an application and pass a background investigation. An applicant shall provide all information or documentation requested by the board, including but not limited to documentation relative to identification, criminal history, and financial history. The board may deny approval of the applicant, any of its principals, or any qualifying party for cause. The background investigation shall be conducted in relation to all of the following:

(1) Fiduciary or monetary matters including but not limited to any bankruptcy, judgment, insolvency, or lien.

(2) Any criminal offense resulting in a conviction, guilty plea, or plea of nolo contendere.

D.(1) An applicant for licensure shall designate a qualifying party for each classification and for the Louisiana business and law requirement. The qualifying party shall meet all application requirements and shall satisfy any examination and credential requirement.

(2) Any principal or full-time employee as defined in this Chapter may be the qualifying party of an applicant or licensee upon the satisfaction of all requirements.

(3) A qualifying party may also be a qualifying party for any subsidiary of a licensee.

(4) The board may exempt any qualifying party from the required examinations. The board shall exempt from testing for a residential construction license any person who holds a building construction license that was issued by the board.

(5) Upon the determination that a person has engaged in deceptive practices when taking or attempting to take any board examination, the person shall be ineligible to serve as a qualifying party for a licensee for a period of three years.

E. Residential construction and its subclassifications, mold remediation, and home improvement applicants shall be required to submit certificates evidencing workers' compensation coverage in compliance with Title 23 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, and liability insurance in a minimum amount of one hundred thousand dollars or liability protection provided by a liability trust fund as authorized by R.S. 22:46(9)(d) in a minimum amount of one hundred thousand dollars.

F.(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any residential home improvement or mold remediation licensee in good standing with the board for not less than one consecutive year may apply to transfer the license to an inactive status.

(2) An inactive licensee shall follow the same renewal requirements as an active licensee as provided in this Chapter, including the payment of fees, with the exception of the submission of current insurance certificates.

(3) An inactive licensee shall be required to fulfill all prescribed continuing education requirements established for active licensees.

(4) A licensee may request transfer from inactive status to active status at any time, if:

(a) The inactive license has been renewed as provided for in this Section.

(b) The inactive license is current at the time the request is received by the board.

G. Before a license is issued, a mold remediation license applicant shall be required to furnish evidence to the board that he has satisfactorily completed at least twenty-four hours of training in mold remediation and basic mold assessment.

H.(1) Mechanical, plumbing, and electrical contractors licensed pursuant to the provisions of this Section are excluded from local, municipal, or parish regulatory authority examination procedures and may bid and perform work within any local jurisdiction upon paying all appropriate fees.

(2) The purpose of this Subsection is to preempt local, municipal, or parish regulatory examination authority for statewide-licensed mechanical, plumbing, or electrical contractors bidding and performing work in multiple jurisdictions. The preemption shall further exclude the employees of statewide-licensed electrical and mechanical contractors from local, municipal, or parish regulatory examination or certification authority as a condition to performing work for the statewide-licensed electrical or mechanical contractor.

I.(1) Any plumbing contractor who currently holds a Master Plumber License from the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana shall be exempt from any trade examination requirement.

(2) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to permit plumbing contractors to perform plumbing work without first complying with the licensure provisions of Chapter 16 of this Title, R.S. 37:1361 et seq.

J. The board may consolidate, add, or remove subclassifications or specialties by rule as it deems appropriate.

Added by Acts 1976, No. 82, §2, eff. July 8, 1976. Amended by Acts 1981, No. 668, §1; Acts 1983, No. 295, §1; Acts 1988, No. 635, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 1989, No. 559, §1; Acts 1992, No. 681, §1, eff. July 6, 1992; Acts 1997, No. 148, §1; Acts 1997, No. 769, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1175, §1; Acts 2008, No. 725, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2009; Acts 2012, No. 163, §1; Acts 2019, No. 371, §§1, 2; Acts 2022, No. 195, §1; Acts 2025, No. 422, §1.

NOTE: See Acts 1988, No. 635, §§2, 3.

The law belongs to the people. Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 590 U.S. (2020)