Louisiana makes every licensed contractor name a qualifying party for each classification. See who can serve, what they must pass, and the 30 and 60 day replacement clocks.
A Louisiana contractor license is only as steady as the person named on it. The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) makes every applicant name a qualifying party for each license classification and for the Business and Law requirement, and the license cannot stand without one. This guide covers who can fill that role, what the person has to pass, what happens when they leave, and what changes for plumbing on January 1, 2027.
At a glance
R.S. 37:2156.1 requires an applicant to designate a qualifying party for each classification and for the Louisiana business and law requirement.
Under the statute, a principal or a full-time employee may be the qualifying party.
When a qualifying party leaves, the board must be notified within 30 days and a replacement must qualify within 60 days.
The LSLBC says a licensee must keep a qualifying party for Business and Law and for each classification at all times.
Checked against the statute and the LSLBC licensing checklist on November 4, 2026.
If you are still deciding whether you need a license at all, start with our Louisiana contractor license guide. This page covers only the qualifying party side of it.
What a qualifying party does in Louisiana
The qualifying party is the individual who meets the board's testing and credential requirements on behalf of the company. The company holds the license, and the qualifying party is the person the board has verified for each classification the license covers.
The LSLBC checklist says each qualifying party must complete a verification process and attest that they are the person submitting the information. The qualifying party's name, date of birth and contact details must be given and kept current. The statute adds that the applicant, each principal and each designated qualifying party must complete an application and pass a background investigation, and that a qualifying party must be a United States citizen or legal resident.
Two points are easy to miss:
- One qualifier per slot, not per company. The statute asks for a qualifying party for each classification and for Business and Law. A company with three classifications needs each of those slots filled.
- Business and Law is always required. The board's checklist treats it as a standing requirement for commercial, residential, mold and home improvement applicants. Our Louisiana Business and Law exam guide covers that part in detail.
Who can be the qualifying party
R.S. 37:2156.1(E)(2) says any principal or full-time employee, as defined in the chapter, may be the qualifying party of an applicant or licensee once all requirements are met. The LSLBC checklist describes the same pool in plain terms: a sole proprietor, a full-time employee, a stockholder, officer or incorporator, a partner, or a member or manager of an LLC.
| Relationship to the company | Eligible under the board's description? | What the board looks at |
|---|---|---|
| Owner, officer, partner or LLC member | Yes | Meets exam and credential requirements |
| Full-time employee | Yes | Employer certifies the employment on the application |
| Part-time or outside consultant | Not described as eligible | Does not fit the statute's wording |
| Someone with a disqualifying background result | No | Background investigation |
The employee route is where many growing contractors land. A company whose owner holds no trade credential can designate a full-time employee who does. The board's disassociation form says that when a new qualifier is an employee, the employer, meaning an owner, officer or authorized representative, signs the employment certification on the application.
This is the same structure a placed qualifier works under. A qualifying agent QUALIFIES a company as a full-time W-2 employee, which is how the statute's "full-time employee" language is met in practice. For the owner versus employee tradeoffs, read contractor license qualifier: owner vs employee.
What the qualifying party has to pass
The checklist says the qualifying party must meet the requirements of each classification, either by passing the trade exam or by submitting a credential. It gives three examples of credentials the board accepts in place of a trade exam: a Plumbing Certificate from the Louisiana State Plumbing Board, an Asbestos Certificate from the Department of Environmental Quality, and a Mold Remediation Training Certificate.
The statute also lets the board exempt a qualifying party from required examinations. It does not say when, so ask the board before you assume an exemption applies to you.
Anyone found to have engaged in deceptive practices while taking or attempting to take a board examination becomes ineligible to serve as a qualifying party for a licensee for three years.
What the company still has to carry
Naming a qualifier does not finish the application. The checklist lists items the company itself must supply:
| Item | Applies to | Detail from the board |
|---|---|---|
| Financial statement | Commercial, residential, home improvement, mold | Uploaded at the end of the application |
| General liability insurance | Residential and home improvement | Minimum $500,000, plus workers' compensation proof |
| General liability insurance | Mold remediation | Minimum $50,000, plus workers' compensation proof |
| Secretary of State standing | Corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships | Must stay active and in good standing |
Fees are set by the board or testing vendor and can change. Verify the current amount with the provider before you pay. The board's checklist did not state dollar amounts for application or exam fees, so none are listed here.
When the qualifying party leaves
This is where Louisiana licenses get into trouble. The statute says that when the qualifying party is no longer associated with the license, the board must be notified within thirty days of the disassociation, and another qualifying party must qualify within sixty days.
The board uses a "Disassociation of a Qualifying Party" form for this. A few details from the form:
- A departing qualifier signs an affidavit agreeing to tell the LSLBC in writing if they leave the company's employment.
- The company must add a new qualifying party and submit a separate Application for Qualifying Party if no one else covers the classifications being left open.
- Changes must be signed by a person authorized to act for the license, such as a sole proprietor, LLC member, corporate officer or partner.
- The completed form goes to the board by email.
The form itself does not repeat the 30 and 60 day clocks, so treat the statute as the controlling text. The board can issue fines and penalties and suspend or revoke qualifying party status for violations.
The practical lesson is to line up a second qualified person before the first one gives notice. If your only qualifier is also your only licensed employee, a resignation puts the whole license on a 60 day clock. Our guide on what to do when a qualifier leaves suddenly walks through that scenario.
Can one person qualify more than one company?
The statute has one explicit rule on this: a qualifying party may also be a qualifying party for any subsidiary of a licensee. It sets no other limit in the text we read, and the board's pages we reviewed did not state one either. If you want one person to qualify unrelated companies, confirm it with the board in writing first. Our article on whether a qualifying agent can qualify more than one company covers the wider picture.
The January 1, 2027 plumbing change
R.S. 37:2156.1(J) takes effect January 1, 2027 and sets who can be the qualifying party for plumbing contractor licenses. It says:
- Master plumbing contractor qualifying party status may be obtained only by a licensed master plumber who meets all other requirements of licensure.
- Residential plumbing contractor qualifying party status may be obtained by a licensed journeyman plumber or a licensed master plumber who meets all other requirements.
A residential plumbing contractor may contract only for a structure of not more than three floors in height that another person will use as a residence. A master plumbing contractor may contract for any structure. If your plumbing company relies on a qualifier who holds neither credential, plan the change before the date. The trade side is in our Louisiana plumbing license guide, and the wider rule changes are in Louisiana Act 757 contractor law changes.
Frequently asked questions
Does every Louisiana contractor license need a qualifying party? The board says commercial, residential, mold and home improvement applicants must designate one or more qualifying parties, and a licensee must keep a qualifying party for Business and Law and for each classification at all times.
Can an employee be my qualifying party? Yes. The statute allows a principal or a full-time employee. The employer certifies the employment on the application.
How long do I have to replace a qualifying party who quit? The statute requires notice to the board within thirty days of the disassociation and a replacement qualifying party within sixty days.
How much does a qualifying party cost? It varies with the trade, the classification, the company's size and how many licenses are involved. The board's fees are separate from the cost of securing a qualifier. For a conversation about your situation, see our consultation packages.
Can the same person qualify my company and my subsidiary? The statute says a qualifying party may also be a qualifying party for any subsidiary of a licensee.
Need a qualifier for a Louisiana license?
The Licensing Company was founded by Marshall Schofield and Jeremiah Jaskulski, who have placed full-time W-2 qualifiers with contractors across the country. If you need someone to hold the role, read what a qualifying agent is, then look at how to hire a qualifying agent. If you hold a trade credential and want to qualify companies, see how to become a qualifying agent. Marshall and Jeremiah's advice is to choose a qualifier who is a genuine full-time employee, because that is the arrangement the statute's wording describes.
Sources
- Louisiana R.S. 37:2156.1, requirements for issuance of a license, Louisiana Legislature
- LSLBC checklist of items required for initial license and to maintain license, Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors
- LSLBC Disassociation of a Qualifying Party form, Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors
Disclaimer: This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, licensing guidance, or an offer of services. Licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction. For specific compliance questions, contact The Licensing Company for a confidential consultation.