Louisiana's Contractor Board Lists the 2025 and 2026 Law Changes, and Plumbing Moves Under It January 1

On October 30, 2026, the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) posted a notice listing the licensing law changes passed in 2025 and 2026. The biggest one for 2027: on January 1, plumbing licensing and regulation move from the State Plumbing Board to LSLBC. Manufactured and modular housing licensing moves to the board's Residential Contractors Subcommittee the same day.

This article covers what the notice says, category by category, and what the Acts behind it add. The liability insurance, roofing and water well items were covered in the board's July memo. Our guides to the insurance, fourplex roofing and well changes and to Act 757 cover them in depth. For how Louisiana licenses contractors in general, start with the Louisiana contractor license page.

At a glance

• Who: the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors, in a notice released October 30, 2026.
• Plumbing: under Act 908 of 2026, licensing and regulation move from the State Plumbing Board to LSLBC on January 1, 2027, overseen by a new Plumbing Contractors Subcommittee.
• Manufactured and modular housing: under Act 765 of 2026, licensing and regulation move to LSLBC's Residential Contractors Subcommittee on January 1, 2027.
• Already in effect: a $500,000 liability coverage minimum for residential, mold remediation and home improvement (August 1, 2026). The Residential Roofing classification at $7,500 (January 1, 2026). A license for water well work at $1 or more (July 1, 2026).
• Construction codes: a new Commission replaces the Construction Code Council. The board says a $10 Commission fee on designated categories of locally issued permits starts January 1, 2027.
• Still coming: the board says more transition information will be provided as rules and procedures are finalized.

The notice at a glance, by license category

Plumbing moves under LSLBC on January 1, 2027

The board's wording: "Licensing and regulatory responsibilities will transfer from the State Plumbing Board to LSLBC. A new Plumbing Contractors Subcommittee will oversee plumbing licensing, continuing education, and enforcement." Our Louisiana plumbing license guide covers the trade ladder.

Existing apprentice, journeyman and master plumbers will receive equivalent licenses under LSLBC. Act 908 says the same thing in statute. Anyone licensed by the State Plumbing Board as an apprentice, journeyman or master plumber on or before December 31, 2026 holds the equivalent LSLBC license on January 1, 2027. The Act abolishes the State Plumbing Board on that date and transfers its duties to the contractor board.

The board also draws a line between two licenses. "An individual plumber's license and a plumbing contractor license serve different purposes. Businesses offering plumbing services must hold the appropriate contractor license." Starting January 1, 2027, the Act's text points the same way. Anyone who advertises, bids or performs work on any part of a plumbing system is required to hold the appropriate plumbing contractor license or classification. Any natural person who does plumbing work, including as an employee of a plumbing contractor, needs the appropriate plumber's license.

The Act also sets who can serve as the qualifying party. A master plumbing contractor may contract for any structure, and its qualifying party status may be obtained only by a licensed master plumber. A residential plumbing contractor may work only on a residence not more than three floors in height. Its qualifying party may be a licensed journeyman or master plumber. In each case the person also has to meet all other licensing requirements.

What is not settled yet: the board says "Additional transition information will be provided as rules and procedures are finalized." Act 908 tells both boards to take all necessary actions before January 1, 2027, including amending, adopting and repealing administrative rules. For details the notice does not cover, check with the board.

Manufactured and modular housing moves to a subcommittee

Also on January 1, 2027, "LSLBC's Residential Contractors Subcommittee will assume responsibility for the transferred manufactured-housing licensing and regulatory functions." The board says the law addresses manufacturers, dealers, developers, installers and transporters, as well as warranties, installation requirements and enforcement. It adds that "Manufactured and modular homes remain subject to different construction standards."

In the Act, the Louisiana Manufactured Housing Commission's law is repealed and its powers and duties go to the subcommittee. The subcommittee grows from five members to nine. The Act also creates a New Manufactured and Modular Home Warranty Act.

Already in effect: insurance, roofing and wells

These three items were in the board's July memo and are now in effect.

• Insurance (August 1, 2026): the board says minimum liability coverage rises from $100,000 to $500,000 for residential construction and its subclassifications, mold remediation and home improvement applicants. An authorized liability trust fund may satisfy it. Our state page carries the same figure.
• Roofing: residential roofing projects valued at $7,500 or more require the Residential Roofing or Residential Construction classification. The board says these requirements began January 1, 2026.
• Water wells (July 1, 2026): covered projects valued at $1 or more require the appropriate license and classification. Contractors also need to pass an exam, register with LSLBC, stay in good standing with the Department of Conservation and Energy, and complete five hours of board approved continuing education each year.

The notice also says Act 757 prohibits certain assignments of property insurance benefits. It adds violations involving permit misrepresentations, property damage intended to obtain a contract, and failure to pay for materials or services after receiving sufficient funds.

One roofing line to confirm with the board

The October notice says residential roofing requirements include structures used as residences with "no more than two dwelling units in one building in most cases." Act 757's text and the board's own July 13 memo say a residence with up to four dwelling units counts. Because the board's papers differ, confirm with the board before you price a roofing job on a duplex, triplex or fourplex. The board's site is lslbc.gov and its number is 225.765.2301.

Business practices, net worth and construction codes

Act 422 of 2025 set a net worth of $50,000 for residential and commercial licenses and most related classifications. It set $25,000 for home improvement, mold remediation and labor-only classifications. An irrevocable letter of credit may satisfy the requirement. The notice also says contractors must conduct business in the name shown on their license or registration. Deceptive examination practices result in a three-year restriction on serving as a qualifying party.

For construction codes, the board says the new Commission "replaces the former Construction Code Council and oversees state construction-code adoption and inspector licensing," and that local authorities continue to enforce applicable codes. Beginning January 1, 2027, the board says a $10 Commission fee applies to designated categories of locally issued permits. Permit offices should follow the Commission's collection and reporting guidance. Act 881 caps the fee at ten dollars per permit. The local authority collects it and sends it to the Commission, on top of the other permit fees.

For companies that want to work in Louisiana

Louisiana licenses the company, and the license rides on a qualifying party the company designates for each classification. If a qualifying party leaves, the board has to be notified within 30 days, and another qualifying party has to qualify within 60 days. Our Louisiana contractor license page lists the same notice and replacement deadlines.

The Licensing Company places a licensed qualifying agent with the company as a full time W-2 employee and prepares the qualifier filing with the board. Not a promise, the board decides. Contractor qualifier services explains how the process works.

Frequently asked questions

Is the State Plumbing Board going away? Under Act 908, yes. The Act abolishes the State Plumbing Board on January 1, 2027 and transfers its duties to LSLBC, where a new Plumbing Contractors Subcommittee oversees plumbing licensing, continuing education and enforcement.

Do plumbers need a new license? The board says existing apprentice, journeyman and master plumbers will receive equivalent licenses under LSLBC, and that more transition information will come as the rules are finalized.

Does a plumber's license replace a plumbing contractor license? Not according to the board. It says the two serve different purposes, and that businesses offering plumbing services must hold the appropriate contractor license.

What is the liability insurance minimum now? At least $500,000 for residential construction and its subclassifications, mold remediation and home improvement, since August 1, 2026. An authorized liability trust fund may satisfy it.

When does the $10 permit fee start? The board says January 1, 2027. The Act caps it at ten dollars per permit.

Does a fourplex roof need the residential roofing classification? The board's October notice and the Act word this differently, so confirm with the board at 225.765.2301 before pricing the job.

This article is general education, not legal advice. LSLBC or a Louisiana construction attorney can confirm how these changes apply to a specific company.

Marshall Schofield and Jeremiah Jaskulski are both licensed general contractors, master electricians, master plumbers and master mechanical contractors. Marshall is one of the nation's leading contractor exam prep instructors. Together they founded The Licensing Company, and they help contractors get licensed the right way in Louisiana and nationwide. Sources: the board's notice, October 30, 2026 and memo, the board's July 13, 2026 memo, and the Louisiana Legislature's pages for Act 908, Act 765, Act 757, Act 881, Act 481 and Act 422 of 2025.