Louisiana Plumber License Requirements

Official classification: LSLBC Plumbing classification (company) + State Plumbing Board of Louisiana Journeyman/Master Plumber (individual) · Issued by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) and State Plumbing Board of Louisiana (SPBLA).

🔧 PlumberLA ✔ Verified 2026-06-22

In Louisiana, plumbers must hold the LSLBC Plumbing classification (company) + State Plumbing Board of Louisiana Journeyman/Master Plumber (individual), issued by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) and State Plumbing Board of Louisiana (SPBLA), and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed plumber in Louisiana

Follow these steps to earn your LSLBC Plumbing classification (company) + State Plumbing Board of Louisiana Journeyman/Master Plumber (individual). Every figure is verified against the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) and State Plumbing Board of Louisiana (SPBLA); full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Journeyman: 8,000 hours of plumbing under a licensed journeyman/master (7,000 hours if in a state-approved indentured apprenticeship). Master: must hold a current Journeyman Plumber license (or be a LA Professional Engineer with 5 years plumbing experience).
Pass the Journeyman Plumber examination and Master Plumber examination exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Secure your surety bond. Louisiana requires No surety bond required for the individual plumbing license. The LSLBC company license follows the $10,000 net-worth / optional-bond rule.
Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance (Not mandated for the individual SPBLA plumbing license), and workers' compensation coverage.
Clear the background check. Application attested to by three currently licensed journeyman/master plumbers; no statewide fingerprint criminal check specified.
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) and State Plumbing Board of Louisiana (SPBLA) — Journeyman exam $125 / Master exam $100 (SPBLA) application fee, plus a Journeyman initial license $40; Master initial license $180 (SPBLA) license fee. Processing time: Exams are held quarterly; the license is issued after passing and paying the license fee.
Keep the license active. Renew annual — all SPBLA plumbing licenses renew by December 31 each year, completing Continuing professional education required annually before renewal (confirm the current hour requirement with the State Plumbing Board).

License types

Journeyman Plumber (SPBLA) — Individual license to perform plumbing work; requires apprenticeship hours and an exam.
Master Plumber (SPBLA) — Individual license; must already hold a Journeyman Plumber license (or be a LA Professional Engineer with 5 years plumbing experience).
Plumbing classification (LSLBC) — Company contractor license required for plumbing projects exceeding $10,000 (commercial) or within residential thresholds.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Journeyman: 8,000 hours of plumbing under a licensed journeyman/master (7,000 hours if in a state-approved indentured apprenticeship). Master: must hold a current Journeyman Plumber license (or be a LA Professional Engineer with 5 years plumbing experience).
Application fee	Journeyman exam $125 / Master exam $100 (SPBLA)
License fee	Journeyman initial license $40; Master initial license $180 (SPBLA)
Renewal fee	Journeyman $40/yr; Master $180/yr (SPBLA)
Renewal period	Annual — all SPBLA plumbing licenses renew by December 31 each year
Continuing education	Continuing professional education required annually before renewal (confirm the current hour requirement with the State Plumbing Board).
Bond required	No surety bond required for the individual plumbing license. The LSLBC company license follows the $10,000 net-worth / optional-bond rule.
Liability insurance	Not mandated for the individual SPBLA plumbing license
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	Required under LA Title 23 if employing workers
Background check	Application attested to by three currently licensed journeyman/master plumbers; no statewide fingerprint criminal check specified.
Credit requirement	None for the individual SPBLA plumbing license. The LSLBC company plumbing classification requires the $10,000 net-worth financial statement.
Reciprocity	Plumbing reciprocity is administered by the State Plumbing Board separately from LSLBC — confirm directly with SPBLA.
Processing time	Exams are held quarterly; the license is issued after passing and paying the license fee.

Exams

Journeyman Plumber examination	Provider: State Plumbing Board of Louisiana · Passing: 70% · Fee: $125
Master Plumber examination	Provider: State Plumbing Board of Louisiana · Passing: 70% · Fee: $100

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Local / municipal notes

Plumbing is dual-regulated: the individual plumber is licensed by the State Plumbing Board (SPBLA), while the plumbing contracting company needs the LSLBC Plumbing classification for projects over $10,000.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Louisiana plumber license cost?

Application: Journeyman exam $125 / Master exam $100 (SPBLA). License: Journeyman initial license $40; Master initial license $180 (SPBLA). Renewal: Journeyman $40/yr; Master $180/yr (SPBLA).

Do plumbers in Louisiana need a surety bond?

No surety bond required for the individual plumbing license. The LSLBC company license follows the $10,000 net-worth / optional-bond rule.

What experience is required for a Louisiana plumber license?

Journeyman: 8,000 hours of plumbing under a licensed journeyman/master (7,000 hours if in a state-approved indentured apprenticeship). Master: must hold a current Journeyman Plumber license (or be a LA Professional Engineer with 5 years plumbing experience).

Is insurance required for plumbers in Louisiana?

Liability: Not mandated for the individual SPBLA plumbing license Workers' compensation: Required under LA Title 23 if employing workers

How often must a Louisiana plumber license be renewed?

Annual — all SPBLA plumbing licenses renew by December 31 each year. Continuing education: Continuing professional education required annually before renewal (confirm the current hour requirement with the State Plumbing Board).

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-22 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) and State Plumbing Board of Louisiana (SPBLA) before applying. This is not legal advice.