- A license is needed when a mechanical job is worth more than $10,000, counting labor and materials. Jobs of $10,000 or less do not need this state license.
- Plan for a trade exam and a business and law exam.
- Licenses expire on the anniversary of the issue date. At renewal you choose a one, two or three year term, and you can renew starting 60 days before expiration.
Do you need a state license in Louisiana?
Louisiana licenses some HVAC work at the state level and leaves the rest alone. Which side of that line a job falls on decides whether you need the state license.
A license is needed when a mechanical job is worth more than $10,000, counting labor and materials. Jobs of $10,000 or less do not need this state license.
State law lets parishes and cities charge permit fees and require their own competency licenses for mechanical contractors. Check with the local office before starting work.
Louisiana license types for HVAC work
Louisiana splits the work into 2 licenses. Pick the one that matches the jobs you take, since working outside its scope is the same as working without one.
| License | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Mechanical (major classification 6) | Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, hydronic and steam systems, plumbing and gas piping |
| Heat, Air Conditioning, Ventilation, Duct Work and Refrigeration (6.1) | Installing, maintaining and repairing air conditioning, ventilation, refrigeration, coolers and freezers |
Steps to get licensed in Louisiana
- Confirm your jobs will run over $10,000 and pick the Mechanical (6) or HVAC (6.1) classification.
- Name a qualifying party for the business who will take the course and exam.
- Complete the LSLBC Business and Law course.
- Wait for the PSI eligibility letter, then pass the trade exam for your classification.
- Prepare a financial statement showing at least $50,000 net worth.
- Apply online through the LSLBC portal and pay the fees.
- Renew before expiration, choosing a one, two or three year term.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
The license to apply for. Commercial license with Mechanical classification (Heat, Air Conditioning, Ventilation, Duct Work and Refrigeration subclassification).
Louisiana HVAC exams
Trade exam. Yes. Both the Mechanical and the HVAC (6.1) classifications have a trade exam, given through PSI.
Business and law exam. The qualifying party must complete the board's Business and Law course.
Separate from any state license, the EPA requires Section 608 certification for anyone who works on equipment with refrigerant. It is federal and applies in every state.
What it costs in Louisiana
The board lists 4 fees along the way. These are the state's own numbers. Insurance, any bond, exam prep and your business registration come on top.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Examination fee, state law maximum | $50 |
| License fee, state law maximum | $100 |
| Renewal fee, state law maximum | $100 |
| Delinquent fee, state law maximum | $50 |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. Commercial applicants do not submit proof of insurance. Residential and home improvement applicants must show at least $100,000 general liability and workers comp.
Bond. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. Licenses expire on the anniversary of the issue date. At renewal you choose a one, two or three year term, and you can renew starting 60 days before expiration.
Reciprocity. Out of state companies applying for a commercial license can ask for reciprocity by sending a request form completed by their home state, if that state has a reciprocal agreement. Check with the board for which states qualify.
Good to know in Louisiana
- A commercial license application needs a financial statement showing at least $50,000 net worth, dated within 12 months.
- EPA Section 608 certification is a federal requirement for anyone handling refrigerant.
- A mechanical contractor who does plumbing work over $10,000 also needs a master plumber license from the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana.
After you are licensed
The license lets you take the work. Getting the work is the next job.
- Register the business. If you work under a name other than your own, register it where your state asks (often the Secretary of State, sometimes the county), and keep the name the same on your license, your truck and your invoices.
- Claim your Google Business Profile. It is the listing people see when they search for HVAC repair near them. Fill in your service area, hours and real photos of your work.
- Put up a website that shows the license. Customers look for it before they call. Koira builds a contractor website for you and keeps it current.
- See where you stand. The free Koira report checks how your business shows up in search and on maps against shops near you.
Where this comes from
Every fact on this page comes from the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) and the official pages below, checked October 8, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.
More for your trade: how HVAC companies run on Koira.