One perk of getting a Louisiana electrician license is that it’s fewer hoops to jump through than in other states. You won’t need an electrician license in Louisiana unless you plan to perform high-value jobs.
Lake Charles and Baton Rouge both rank among the top ten U.S. metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of electrician jobs. If you’d like to learn how to get your LA electrician license, jump ahead to read:
Louisiana doesn’t require an electrician license to do residential or commercial work as long as the value of any single project, including labor and materials, does not exceed $10,000.
If your work involves projects valued at over $10,000, a commercial electrical contractor license from the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors becomes essential.
To get your commercial electrician contractor license, start by completing the Louisiana electrician license application.
If you are submitting an application for an LLC, corporation or limited partnership, it’s important to register your business with the Louisiana Secretary of State before submitting your license application. The application requires the charter number provided by the Secretary of State, so make sure to have that information handy.
Once the Board approves your application, you’ll receive information about how to sign up for the appropriate exams. The first is a trade exam to test your general knowledge of electrical work. You must also complete an online business and law course.
Be prepared to pay $425 in fees when applying for your electrician license. This cost includes a $125 application fee, $120 for each exam and $60 for a background financial investigation.
Your initial Louisiana electrical contractor license is valid for one year. After that, you have the option to renew it for one, two or three more years. You’ll receive a notice about 60 days before your license expires with instructions on the renewal process.
While Louisiana doesn’t mandate electricians to show proof of business insurance in Louisiana, certain types of self-employed electrician insurance are beneficial for protecting your business.
In Louisiana, all employers must have workers’ compensation insurance. It covers lost wages, medical expenses and more in case you or an employee gets hurt on the job.
General liability insurance is key for handling costs for third-party work-related accidents, property damage and similar incidents.
If you drive for work, commercial auto insurance is crucial. It helps cover costs related to vehicle accidents, such as property damage and medical bills.
Tools and equipment insurance provides financial protection against the costs of repairing or replacing work gear if it gets stolen or damaged.
Whether you own or rent your workspace, commercial property insurance is vital coverage for your business property. It also covers equipment, inventory and furniture related to your electrician business.
Applicants must fulfill specific financial requirements to apply for an electrician license in Louisiana. A key requirement is a notarized financial statement affidavit prepared by an accountant, CPA or bookkeeper. This statement must include financial information from the previous 12 months and demonstrate a net worth of at least $10,000.
If you cannot meet the net worth requirement of $10,000. You can secure a bond or letter of credit. Contact the State Licensing Board for Contractors for more information on this option.
The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors has reciprocity agreements for electrician licenses with the following states:
To qualify for reciprocity, you must meet all Louisiana licensing requirements and have a clean record, with no sanctions for violations from the reciprocal Board in the past three years.
NEXT has helped thousands of Louisiana contractors, including many electricians, get the insurance they need to protect themselves, their employees and their assets.
We’re dedicated to helping electricians thrive by creating custom and affordable electrician insurance packages tailored to customer needs.
The application is quick and straightforward, often taking under 10 minutes. After payment, you’ll instantly get a certificate of insurance to share or print.
Ashley Henshaw was a contributing writer at NEXT. She specializes in small business topics, covering everything from insurance and branding to web hosting and cryptocurrency.
Her work has appeared in The Huffington Post, AOL City's Best, Citysearch, USA Today, The San Francisco Chronicle and Livestrong.
