BUSINESS AND LAW: All types of contractors are required to pass both the Business Law Exam and the trade exam to obtain a license.

The classification of Electrical Contractor includes the work of the following sub-classifications and/or specialty: 1. Electrical transmission lines.

2. Electrical work for structures.

3. Underground electrical conduit installation.

4. Electrical controls. Electrical or Mechanical Work A.

Any person, firm, partnership, co-partnership, association, corporation, or other organization bidding on or performing a job in the amount of $50,000 or more, the majority of which job is classified as V. Electrical Work or Vl. Mechanical Work, the licensee shall hold the major classification or subdivision thereunder of electrical work or mechanical work as the case may be.

1. On all jobs involving mechanical or electrical work the board shall consider the monetary value of the electrical or mechanical material and/or equipment furnished by the owner or builder, if any, in determining the amount of electrical or mechanical work involved.

2. The board takes cognizance of all local ordinances and codes regulating the licensing of electrical and mechanical contractors. All persons who desire to become licensed as an electrical contractor shall make application to the board on a form adopted by the board and shall state the classification of work the applicant desires to perform from a list of major classifications. T

he Louisiana Business and Law examination is required for licensure as an electrical contractor in the State of Louisiana. The applicant must take and pass Louisiana's business and law examination prior to being issued a license.

A licensing application package can be obtained from and filed with: State Licensing Board for Contractors Post Office Box 14419 Baton Rouge, LA 70898-4419 Applications & Examining Fax: (225) 765-2690 Main Phone: (225) 765-2301 or by e-mail at capplications@lslbc.louisiana.gov (commercial application) or rapplications@lslbc.louisiana.gov (residential application).

A candidate may request three dates upon which he or she will be available to take the examination. An attempt will be made to accommodate the candidate. New applicants for licensure will be given priority in scheduling. Fees: The total fee for examination and licensing is $265 ($100 for license classification, $25 transaction fee, $40 per person Business and Law study guide fee and $100 examination/verification fee).

The Business and Law examination will continue to be administered at no additional charge (one time only) if it is taken by a qualifying party on the same day as a written trade examination.

Examination information: The examination consists of 80 questions. You will be allowed four (4) hours to complete the examination. This is an open book exam.

Electrical Exam Content:  Electrical Calculations, Grounding and Bonding, State and National and Accepted Standards, Recognizing Non-Compliant Code Items, Installation Safety, End-User Safety, Temporary Service, Temporary Power, Emerging Technologies, Diagrams and Schematics, Class 3 Wiring, Fire and Smoke Blocking Systems.

Business and Law Exam Content:  Federal, State and Local Safety Regulations, Estimating and Bidding, Scheduling Inspections, Project Management, Special Inspections, Communication, Leadership and Supervision.

Testing information: Examinations will not be scheduled unless you submit your qualifying party application and required documentation.

***IMPORTANT REFERENCE MATERIAL INFORMATION***

Not all the books listed under "Reference Materials" on this page are allowed into the exam.  The following are allowed to be used during the exam and will be provided at the test. National Electrical Code, 2008; Ugly's Electrical Reference, 2008; OSHA 29 CFR 1926, 2009; Lineman's and Cableman's Handbook. The following downloadable document is also used during the exam.  Louisiana Driver's Guide Classes D and E 

The following books and documents are also needed to prepare for the exam but are not allowed to be used during the exam. Direct Current Fundamentals, 7th edition; Alternating Current Fundamentals, 7th edition; Electric Motor Control, Contractor's Guide to Business, Law & Project Management, Louisiana 9th edition. The following list of documents from the American Institute of Architects is also listed as study material: A-101, A-102, A-103, A-107, A-201, A-310, A-401, A-503, B-101, B-102.  They can be found at the following web address:  http://www.aia.org/contractdocs/AIAS076659

Exams are given three days a week, Tuesday through Thursday. If you fail to appear for your exam on the assigned date, you will be required to submit a written application to reschedule and pay a $100 forfeit fee before you are assigned a new date.

Contractors domiciled outside the State of Louisiana making applications for a contractor's license are required to submit a $400 surcharge in addition to the regular license fee. Out-of-state contractors will still be required to pass the Business and Law examination.

On average, it takes 4 to 6 weeks for an in-state license to be issued and 9 to 10 weeks for an out-of-state license to be issued. The amount of time required to process a license depends on several factors, including whether or not all required paperwork and fees are submitted and how promptly bank and contractor/material supply dealer references are returned. It is advisable to contact all references to assure that responses will be submitted timely.

The Board has formal written reciprocal agreements with the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, Utah as well as the North Carolina Electrical Examiners' Board. The Business and Law examination cannot be waived for out-of-state contractors. However, reciprocity is not automatic, applications will be considered individually. There is a 60-day waiting period for out-of-state contractors.

Out of state contractors will still be required to pass the Business and Law exam. The contractor must hold a current license for the last three consecutive year period from the current application date in a comparable classification within the state from which he is domiciled.

The applicant must have the contractor's licensing board of the state in which he is licensed complete a license verification form provided by the board. Please call our Customer Service Center for more information at 800.992.1910
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