Louisiana Handyman License Requirements
Louisiana's small-job figure is $7,500. The exact wording below decides whether a job fits.
Home improvement work on an existing residential structure requires an LSLBC Home Improvement registration when the project value is $7,500 or more (statute per Act 178 of 2024: '$7,500 or more but less than $50,000'; LSLBC Types of Licenses page: 'seven thousand five hundred dollars or more'). Note: LSLBC FAQ still words it 'exceeds $7,500 but not exceeding $50,000' - official sources conflict on whether exactly $7,500 is covered; statute/Act digest says 'or more'. Over $50,000 home improvement requires a Residential Construction license. Total project value = labor + materials no matter who supplies materials. EXCEPTION TO THE EXEMPTION: since Jan 1, 2026 (Act 422 of 2025) any work on any portion of a residential roofing system requires a Residential Roofing or Residential Construction license (no dollar floor stated in the Act digest). Mold remediation $7,500+ needs a Mold license; commercial electrical/mechanical/plumbing over $10,000 needs a commercial license; asbestos/hazardous/lead abatement from $1.
What counts toward it: labor+materials
"or to structures which are adjacent to such residence or building for which the project value is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more."
Source: lslbc.louisiana.gov · lslbc.louisiana.gov · legis.la.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Who regulates this
Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC), incl. its Residential Building Contractors Subcommittee; State Plumbing Board of Louisiana for plumbers
Source: legis.la.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Does Louisiana license general and residential work?
LSLBC issues Residential Construction licenses (new residential structures $50,000 or more; home improvement over $50,000) and Home Improvement registrations ($7,500 up to $50,000) plus Commercial and Mold Remediation licenses.
Source: lslbc.louisiana.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Registration
Home Improvement Registration (LSLBC) for home improvement projects $7,500 to under $50,000; since Aug 1, 2024 registrants may not perform structural work or build outbuildings; written contract required. Act 422 (eff.
Source: lslbc.gov · legis.la.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Trade work
Plumbers licensed by State Plumbing Board of Louisiana; LSLBC commercial license also required for electrical/mechanical/plumbing projects exceeding $10,000 (labor+materials). Act 422 exempts electrical, mechanical and plumbing licensees acting exclusively within their classification. No handyman carve-out found.
Source: legis.la.gov · lslbc.louisiana.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Insurance and bond
Net worth requirement $25,000 (home improvement) / $50,000 (residential) per Act 422 of 2025.
Source: legis.la.gov · checked November 2, 2026
What a handyman should charge in Louisiana
Statewide planning estimate: $66 to $94 an hour. It's an estimate from public data, not the market rate. City pages use local wages when we can match them.
| Step | Low end | High end |
|---|---|---|
| Your pay (employee wage for this work in Louisiana) | $43,960 median | $57,590 top quarter starts here |
| Overhead ($33,148 national, adjusted to local prices at 88.2) | $29,239 | $29,239 |
| Profit 15% + PTO 10% + warranty 3% + business taxes 12% | +40% | +40% |
| Yearly total to cover | $102,479 | $121,561 |
| Billed hours a year (hours on the job × 52) | 30 × 52 = 1,560 | 25 × 52 = 1,300 |
| Hourly rate | $66 | $94 |
- Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation 49-9071 Maintenance and Repair Workers, General, Louisiana (statewide figure, because we could not match a metro for this place). The top-quarter figure is in the BLS data file.
- Local prices: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024, Louisiana, all items index 88.2 (US = 100).
- Overhead, hours and percentages: median answers from members using our hourly rate calculator, the same formula that tool uses. National, not local.
Louisiana places we cover (18)
Rules change. This page shows what official sources said on the dates above. It is not legal advice.