Louisiana contractor license bond
Usually not requiredOnly if you can't prove financial responsibility or net worth.
Commercial (work of $50,000+) and residential (work of $75,000+) license applicants must show a financial statement with a net worth of at least $10,000. There's no flat surety bond requirement: an applicant who lacks the required net worth may furnish a bond, letter of credit, or other security equal to the shortfall, which the board treats as satisfying the net-worth requirement. Separate performance bonds apply to public projects. [Source: LSLBC ↗]
Good to know
You only need a license bond if you can't demonstrate the $10,000 net worth; the bond substitutes for net worth, it isn't automatic.
Estimate your premium
You pay a percentage of the bond amount each year, based on credit.
About 1.5–3.0% of a $10,000 bond.
Estimate only. Your real rate is set by the surety after a quick credit check, and the premium is typically nonrefundable once the bond is issued.
How to get bonded and licensed in Louisiana
- 1Apply for your contractor license or registration with LSLBC.
- 2Prove financial responsibility (net worth) if you can — for most contractors that means no surety bond is required.
- 3If you can't meet the financial test, post the surety bond instead and submit it with your application.
- 4Carry any required insurance and keep your credential active at renewal.
Louisiana contractor bond FAQ
Does Louisiana require a contractor license bond?
Not for most contractors. Louisiana licenses contractors on net worth, not a fixed bond; a contractor who can't show $10,000 net worth may file a bond in that amount instead.
How much does a contractor license bond cost in Louisiana?
Most Louisiana contractors don't need a bond at all. If you do — because you can't prove the financial requirement — it's a percentage of the roughly $10,000 amount, about $150–$300 a year with good credit.
Who regulates contractor licensing in Louisiana?
Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) sets the rules. You only need a license bond if you can't demonstrate the $10,000 net worth; the bond substitutes for net worth, it isn't automatic.
What does a contractor license bond protect?
A contractor license bond protects your customers and the licensing authority, not you. It guarantees you'll follow the state's contractor laws; if you break them and someone is owed money, they can file a claim against the bond, and you must repay the surety.
Is the bond premium refundable?
Generally no. Once the bond is issued, the premium is earned by the surety and is typically nonrefundable, even if you never have a claim. Most bonds run one to two years, and you renew to keep your license active.
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Bond requirements and amounts are set by LSLBC and can change. Confirm the current figure with the authority before you buy. This page is general information, not legal advice.