Louisiana Roofer License Requirements

Official classification: Roofing and Sheet Metal, Siding (commercial specialty classification) / Roofing (residential specialty) · Issued by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC).

🏠 RooferLA ✔ Verified 2026-06-22

In Louisiana, roofers must hold the Roofing and Sheet Metal, Siding (commercial specialty classification) / Roofing (residential specialty), issued by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC), and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed roofer in Louisiana

Follow these steps to earn your Roofing and Sheet Metal, Siding (commercial specialty classification) / Roofing (residential specialty). Every figure is verified against the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC); full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. No fixed statutory hour requirement; the qualifying party must pass the applicable trade and business/law exams.
Pass the Roofing specialty / trade examination and Business and Law examination exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Secure your surety bond. Louisiana requires No board-mandated surety bond. Applicants short of the $10,000 net worth may post a bond/letter of credit for the shortfall as an alternative.
Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance (Commercial: not mandated (exempt from the board insurance filing). Residential specialty: general liability of at least $100,000 required at application and renewal.), and workers' compensation coverage.
Clear the background check. A Background Financial Investigation is conducted on applicants (the board charges an investigation fee). No statewide criminal fingerprint check is specified.
Meet the credit / financial requirement. Financial statement showing net worth of at least $10,000 (current within 12 months); a shortfall may be covered by a bond or letter of credit.
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) — License/application fee is capped at $100 by statute; the board also charges processing fees on top — confirm current amounts with LSLBC. application fee, plus a $100 statutory cap; additional classifications cost extra license fee. Processing time: Variable; applications are acted on at scheduled board meetings.
Keep the license active. Renew 1, 2, or 3 years (licensee elects); expires on the anniversary of the issue date, completing Residential roofing specialty: 6 hours annually under the residential continuing-education rule. None required for the commercial specialty.

License types

Roofing and Sheet Metal, Siding (commercial specialty) — Specialty classification under Building Construction for commercial roofing projects of $50,000 or more.
Roofing (residential specialty) — Residential roofing subcontractor specialty; required when residential roofing work exceeds $7,500.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	No fixed statutory hour requirement; the qualifying party must pass the applicable trade and business/law exams.
Application fee	License/application fee is capped at $100 by statute; the board also charges processing fees on top — confirm current amounts with LSLBC.
License fee	$100 statutory cap; additional classifications cost extra
Renewal fee	$100 statutory cap; $50 delinquent fee
Renewal period	1, 2, or 3 years (licensee elects); expires on the anniversary of the issue date
Continuing education	Residential roofing specialty: 6 hours annually under the residential continuing-education rule. None required for the commercial specialty.
Bond required	No board-mandated surety bond. Applicants short of the $10,000 net worth may post a bond/letter of credit for the shortfall as an alternative.
Liability insurance	Commercial: not mandated (exempt from the board insurance filing). Residential specialty: general liability of at least $100,000 required at application and renewal.
Property damage	Covered within the residential general-liability requirement
Workers' comp	Required under LA Title 23; a certificate is filed for residential specialty work
Background check	A Background Financial Investigation is conducted on applicants (the board charges an investigation fee). No statewide criminal fingerprint check is specified.
Credit requirement	Financial statement showing net worth of at least $10,000 (current within 12 months); a shortfall may be covered by a bond or letter of credit.
Reciprocity	As of 2024, LSLBC accepts any out-of-state exam passed without waiver or exemption in a comparable classification — there is no fixed reciprocal-state list, and the business/law portion is never waived.
Processing time	Variable; applications are acted on at scheduled board meetings.

Exams

Roofing specialty / trade examination	Provider: PSI · Passing: Not publicly disclosed · Fee: $50 statutory cap per classification exam
Business and Law examination	Provider: PSI · Passing: Not publicly disclosed · Fee: $50 statutory cap

Preparing for the Roofer exam? State-specific contractor exam-prep courses help you pass the first time. Start exam prep →

Local / municipal notes

Roofing falls under either the commercial 'Roofing and Sheet Metal, Siding' specialty ($50k+) or the residential 'Roofing' specialty (over $7,500). Choose the tier matching the project type.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Louisiana roofer license cost?

Application: License/application fee is capped at $100 by statute; the board also charges processing fees on top — confirm current amounts with LSLBC.. License: $100 statutory cap; additional classifications cost extra. Renewal: $100 statutory cap; $50 delinquent fee.

Do roofers in Louisiana need a surety bond?

No board-mandated surety bond. Applicants short of the $10,000 net worth may post a bond/letter of credit for the shortfall as an alternative.

What experience is required for a Louisiana roofer license?

No fixed statutory hour requirement; the qualifying party must pass the applicable trade and business/law exams.

Is insurance required for roofers in Louisiana?

Liability: Commercial: not mandated (exempt from the board insurance filing). Residential specialty: general liability of at least $100,000 required at application and renewal. Workers' compensation: Required under LA Title 23; a certificate is filed for residential specialty work

How often must a Louisiana roofer license be renewed?

1, 2, or 3 years (licensee elects); expires on the anniversary of the issue date. Continuing education: Residential roofing specialty: 6 hours annually under the residential continuing-education rule. None required for the commercial specialty.

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) before applying. This is not legal advice.