Plumbing Contractor Permit Requirements in Baton Rouge, LA

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Louisiana Department of Revenue — Sales Tax Registration

   Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in Louisiana. The Louisiana state sales tax rate is 5%. Sellers must apply for a sales tax certificate with the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Louisiana also has parish- and municipal-level sales taxes collected separately by local collectors, so the combined rate varies by parish and you must register with each applicable local collector in addition to the state.

   Official government source

   No registration fee is published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue.·Not published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue; the '1-5 business days' figure has no official source.

   No registration fee is published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue.

   Not published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue; the '1-5 business days' figure has no official source.

1. Louisiana State Plumbing Board — Master Plumber License

   Plumbing contractors in Louisiana must hold a Master Plumber license from the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana (11304 Cloverland Ave., Baton Rouge; 225-756-3434). Applicants must already hold a current Journeyman Plumber license or a Louisiana professional engineer license, and must pass a three-part written examination (International Plumbing Code and International Residential Code; Louisiana Sanitary Code Title 51 Part XIII; and a business/law portion). Applications must be notarized and filed at least 30 days before a scheduled exam date; licenses renew annually before December 31 with continuing education.

   Official government source

   $110 to sit the exam ($100 exam fee plus a $10 processing charge), then $190 for the first active license (or $40 inactive). Renewal is annual.·Applications must be submitted at least 30 days before a scheduled examination; the board publishes an exam schedule rather than a processing time.

   $110 to sit the exam ($100 exam fee plus a $10 processing charge), then $190 for the first active license (or $40 inactive). Renewal is annual.

   Applications must be submitted at least 30 days before a scheduled examination; the board publishes an exam schedule rather than a processing time.

2. City of Baton Rouge / Parish of East Baton Rouge Department of Finance — Business License

   All businesses in East Baton Rouge Parish must obtain an Occupational License from the Finance Department's Revenue Collection Division (225-389-3084), renewed annually and posted at the place of business. Some businesses additionally need approval from Permits & Inspections and/or the health authority, and a zoning clearance or Certificate of Occupancy carries a separate fee. Certain categories are exempt by ordinance (for example manufacturers except on retail sales, and several enumerated professions).

   Official government source

   A one-time registration fee of $50 if the business opens January 1–June 30 or $25 if it opens July 1–December 31. The annual tax is computed from gross receipts using the classification tables in the Occupational License Tax Ordinance and can exceed $500 for larger businesses — it is not a $50–$500 band.·Apply at least one month before opening. A temporary certificate is mailed after processing; after 30 days of operation you report gross receipts and the permanent license issues. Renewals are due January 1 and delinquent after March 1 (5% penalty per 30 days to a 25% maximum, plus 15% annual interest).

   A one-time registration fee of $50 if the business opens January 1–June 30 or $25 if it opens July 1–December 31. The annual tax is computed from gross receipts using the classification tables in the Occupational License Tax Ordinance and can exceed $500 for larger businesses — it is not a $50–$500 band.

   Apply at least one month before opening. A temporary certificate is mailed after processing; after 30 days of operation you report gross receipts and the permanent license issues. Renewals are due January 1 and delinquent after March 1 (5% penalty per 30 days to a 25% maximum, plus 15% annual interest).

3. East Baton Rouge Parish / Baton Rouge Plumbing Permit (per project)

   A separate plumbing permit must be pulled from the City-Parish Permits and Inspections Division for each job, and inspections are required upon completion.

   Official government source

   $125 flat for a Residential Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing/Gas trade permit. Commercial trade permits are based on construction valuation: $125 up to $100,000; $300 for $100,001-$500,000; $400 for $500,001-$2,000,000; $600 above $2,000,000.·Not published by the City-Parish. Confirm current turnaround with Permits and Inspections.

   $125 flat for a Residential Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing/Gas trade permit. Commercial trade permits are based on construction valuation: $125 up to $100,000; $300 for $100,001-$500,000; $400 for $500,001-$2,000,000; $600 above $2,000,000.

   Not published by the City-Parish. Confirm current turnaround with Permits and Inspections.

Official Sources

• Louisiana State Plumbing Board — Master Plumber License
• City of Baton Rouge / Parish of East Baton Rouge Department of Finance

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