To get a Louisiana landscaping license you will need to produce one of the following certifications:
- Landscape Horticulturalist License
- Landscape Irrigation Contractor License
- Arborist License
These certifications can be obtained through the following agencies:
- Louisiana Horticulture Commission
- Department of Agriculture and Forestry
Who Needs to Have a Louisiana Landscaping License?
Anyone engaging in:
“Landscaping, irrigation, and finish grading of all types of properties, including, highways, buildings, and industrials settings. Does not include hardscaping elements such as benches, statues, etc”
Landscape Horticulturalist License
- Sod Installation
- Sale or lease and maintain nursery stock
- Plant Installation
- Bed Preparation
- Interior and exterior beautification consulting
- Operating Nurseries
- Grass Sodding
- Bush Pruning
- Mulching
- Fertilizing
(Does not allow drawing landscape designs for a fee, but does allow the preparation of drawings that indicate placement of nursery stock)
Must have licensee’s name, the words “Landscape Horticulturist”, and license number on all drawings.
Landscape Horticulturalist license Application
Landscape Irrigation License
- Lawn irrigation
- Construction, wiring, connecting and improving of irrigation systems
- Installation, design and repair of irrigation systems
- Lawn sprinkler system installation and repair
To get this license you must hold a water supply protection specialist endorsement from the State Plumbing Board before connecting to a public or private water supply system
Licensees must enter into a written contract with the property owner specifying the landscape irrigation services to be performed and the sum to be paid for the services.
Landscape Irrigation License Application
Arborist License
- Tree Surgery
- Trimming
- Cabling and Cavity Work
- Fertilization
- Pruning
- Cutting Down
- Removal
Licensees must enter into a written contract with property owners specifying work to be done and the sum to be paid.
Contractor License Exemptions
No contractor license is required for the following types of work:
- Mowing
- Weed-eating
- Grass trimming
- Grass edging, or weeding
Louisiana Landscaping License Requirements
- At least 18 years of age
- USA Identification
- Social Security Number
- Pass examination
- Pay fees
Louisiana Contractor License Examination
All Louisiana landscaping contractors must pass the Louisiana Law and Business course. This will be a 45-minute online course required as part of your application process.
Topics covered may include:
- Business Planning
- Business Structures
- Insurance
- Project Management
- Cost Estimating
- Contracts
- Scheduling
- Job Site Safety
- Environmental Safety Rules & Regulations
- Managing Subcontractors and Suppliers
- Financial Management
- Tax Basics and Bookkeeping
- Lien Laws
- Business Management and Contracts
Information on the TRADE portion of the examination can be found here
Louisiana Contractor License Exam Locations
When you apply to the Louisiana State Licensing Board, you will be assigned an examination location:
- Baton Rouge
600 North StreetBaton Rouge, LA 70802
- Bossier Parish Community College
6220 E. Texas Street, Building D, Room 203Bossier City, LA
- Delgado Community College
980 Navarre Building 2, Room 302New Orleans, LA 70119-4399
- Fletcher Technical Community College
1407 Highway 311Shriever, LA 70395
- LSU-Alexandria
Student Center, Room 2048100 U.S. 71Alexandria, LA 71302
- Louisiana Delta Community College
7500 Mill haven RoadMonroe, LA 71203
- North Shore Technical Community College
65556 Center point Blvd. Room 124Lacombe, LA 70445
- Nunez Community College
3710 Paris Road, Administration Building Room 120Chalmette, LA 70043
- South Louisiana Community College — Lafayette Campus
1101 Bertrand DriveLafayette, LA 70506
- SOWELA Technical Community College
Computer Center3820 Senator J. Bennett Johnston AvenueSycamore Building–Testing CenterLake Charles, LA 70607
Louisiana Landscaping Business License
The landscaping contractor license falls under the Commercial license category, the state board will require you to have an established business entity.
This can be set up through the Louisiana Secretary of State
You will choose a name and then select the type of entity you want. Typically, construction companies choose either:
- Sole Proprietor – License held through an individual
- Partnership – License held through a partnership
- LLC – License held through a company that exists as its own entity
- S-Corporation – License held through a corporate entity
For a complete explanation of the difference between these types of entities and which one makes the most sense for someone applying for a contractor license, check out this free guide!
Louisiana Worker’s Compensation Laws
Louisiana requires all construction companies with 1 or more employees to hold worker’s compensation insurance.
This also includes LLCs. However, If you apply as a sole proprietorship and have no employees you may be exempt.
Contractors must be insured through a commercial provider, self-insured carrier, or through the Louisiana Workforce Commission
LSLBC Contractor Search
The Louisiana State Board for Contractors exists as a consumer protection mechanism.
The agency exists not only to enforce rules on construction contractors but also to ensure that homeowners are not being overcharged by unlicensed contractors.
If you are a homeowner or business owner looking to verify a contractor license in the state of Louisiana, you can check a license here
Renewing Your Louisiana Contractor License
Once your landscaping license is active, you will be responsible for renewing it on an annual basis. Make sure that you begin the renewal process 30 days in advance to make sure there is no gap in your licensing.
The Louisiana State Licensing Board gives you the option of either a one, two, or three-year renewal. You can access their portal here
- If you submit your application more than 15 days after your license expiration date, you will be charged a penalty
- Your license will be considered expired if you have not renewed after 1 year. You must then start the application process over.
Louisiana Landscaping Apprenticeships
If you are just beginning your career in hopes of one day becoming a licensed contractor in Louisiana you will want to begin by mastering your trade.
Landscaping is one of the most wide-ranging construction-related trades there is. While the contractor license is only issued to three different types of landscape classifications.
There are several available including:
- Arborist
- Utility Arborist
- Landscape Architect
- Landscape Horticulturist
- Irrigation Contractor
- Retail Florist
- Cut Flower Dealer
- Nursery Stock Dealer
- Wholesale Florist
- Nursery Certificate
If you are one day looking to get the Louisiana General Contractor license, you will need to demonstrate a skill set beyond just construction.
Learn about project management and other business skills.
What You Need To Know About Contractor License Schools
If you are looking to prepare for your Louisiana landscaping license exam, taking contractor classes could be a huge help.
Most contractor resources include:
- Home study materials
- Online classes taught by industry professionals
- Application assistance
- Insurance and Business services
Many tradesmen find themselves a bit confused when faced with questions about construction accounting, balance sheets, workers compensation, employee rights, job site safety, and Louisiana state construction law.
These topics can be learned quickly. Studying consistently in the weeks leading up to your exam day will help you greatly.
Practice exams and study guides breaking down everything you need to know can be found here.
Blueprint Reading Course
If you are reading this and looking to get your Louisiana landscaping license, you must understand the importance of Blueprint Reading.
Blueprints communicate important information about the way in which a structure is built as well as what materials are necessary or have been used for its construction.
Being comfortable with construction blueprints is an invaluable skill especially for those looking to into engineering or to get a Louisiana general contractor license.
See our Free Blueprint Reading Course!
OSHA Safety Certifications in Louisiana
Statistically, 21% of all work-related fatalities are in construction.
That equals about 1 and 5 worker deaths on average.
In the construction industry, the leading cause of worker deaths is reported as falls, struck by an object, electrocution, and caught-in/between.
Safety is probably the most important part of running a construction business in Louisiana.
Whether it be roofing, painting, landscaping, carpentry, electrical, or any other trade.
If you or your workers are not properly trained, it can place unnecessary risk to not only your personal safety but your bottom line as a business.
For employment with a licensed general contractor, you may be asked to complete some level of Louisiana OSHA Training!
Get Started!
Applying to the Louisiana Board of Contractors can be a huge step up in your career if you are looking to start your own business as a landscaper!
If you are looking to get work in another state you can find information about landscaping contractor licenses in California, Utah, and Arizona.
The construction industry is very lucrative and landscape contractors especially are highly sought after. There has never been a better time to get into construction, as there will be increasingly more opportunities into the future.
The key is to use the information you have now and take action from beginning to end. I know you will make the most of it!
If you have found this article, be sure to let us know! and check back for more updates in the future.