Electrical Contractor Permit Requirements in New Orleans, 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 Licensing Board for Contractors — Electrical Contractor License

   Electrical contractors in Louisiana must be licensed by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC, 600 North Street, Baton Rouge; 225-765-2301). The license is held by the company and supervised by a Qualifying Party who passes the trade exam — not by a 'Master Electrician' designation. Electrical work valued over $10,000 requires licensure (commercial projects generally at $50,000 or more), and proof of general liability and workers' compensation insurance is required. Note the board's site moved from lslbc.louisiana.gov to lslbc.gov.

   Official government source

   Not published: LSLBC does not post a fee schedule on its public pages, so the '$200-$400 initial' figure is unverified. Confirm current application, exam and license fees with LSLBC at 225-765-2301 or through the online application portal.·Not published by the board; the '4-8 weeks' figure has no official source. Applications are approved at board meetings, so timing depends on the meeting calendar — confirm with LSLBC.

   Not published: LSLBC does not post a fee schedule on its public pages, so the '$200-$400 initial' figure is unverified. Confirm current application, exam and license fees with LSLBC at 225-765-2301 or through the online application portal.

   Not published by the board; the '4-8 weeks' figure has no official source. Applications are approved at board meetings, so timing depends on the meeting calendar — confirm with LSLBC.

2. City of New Orleans Bureau of Revenue / Department of Safety and Permits — Business License

   New Orleans requires an Occupational License (annual business tax) and a Certificate of Occupancy for all businesses. The Bureau of Revenue (Department of Finance) handles the Occupational License tax; the Department of Safety and Permits handles occupancy and zoning, issuing a Certificate of Occupancy (No Work) for $190. The license must be renewed annually and displayed at your place of business.

   Official government source

   $50/year minimum where gross sales are under $50,000, rising through the city's Occupational License Tax Tables — Table 1 runs to $6,200/year at $5.5M+ in gross sales, well above the claimed $500 ceiling. The Certificate of Occupancy is a separate $190.·Occupational License: not published — a temporary license is generated on approval through the One Stop App and the Amended Return Form is due within the first 40 days of operation. Certificate of Occupancy: same day in some situations, 2-3 days if an inspection is required.

   $50/year minimum where gross sales are under $50,000, rising through the city's Occupational License Tax Tables — Table 1 runs to $6,200/year at $5.5M+ in gross sales, well above the claimed $500 ceiling. The Certificate of Occupancy is a separate $190.

   Occupational License: not published — a temporary license is generated on approval through the One Stop App and the Amended Return Form is due within the first 40 days of operation. Certificate of Occupancy: same day in some situations, 2-3 days if an inspection is required.

3. Orleans Parish / New Orleans Electrical Permit (per project)

   An electrical permit must be obtained from the Department of Safety and Permits for each electrical project, and a final inspection is required upon completion. The permit can only be obtained by an electrical contractor holding a Class "A" Electrical License from the City of New Orleans.

   Official government source

   $40 application fee plus $3 per new circuit plus $0.30 per service amperage.·Not published by the city. A permit is valid for six (6) months of inactivity. Permit Intake: (504) 658-7299; Electrical Inspections Division: (504) 658-7145.

   $40 application fee plus $3 per new circuit plus $0.30 per service amperage.

   Not published by the city. A permit is valid for six (6) months of inactivity. Permit Intake: (504) 658-7299; Electrical Inspections Division: (504) 658-7145.

Official Sources

• Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors — Electrical Contractor License
• City of New Orleans Bureau of Revenue / Department of Safety and Permits

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