Electrical Contractor Permit Requirements in Shreveport, 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 Shreveport Revenue Division — Occupational License

   Shreveport requires an Occupational License for all businesses operating within city limits, administered by the Department of Finance (318-673-5500). A Certificate of Occupancy must be obtained first. The license must be renewed annually and displayed at your place of business.

   Official government source

   Varies by business type: professionals pay 1/10 of 1% of gross receipts; retailers $50-$6,200/year; wholesalers $50-$7,500/year. A new business pays $50 if it opens in the first half of the calendar year, or $25 from July 1, pro-rated on projected gross sales.·Not published. Shreveport issues a temporary license covering the first 30 days of business, after which you complete an update for the permanent license. Annual tax notices are mailed in December or January and are due before March 1.

   Varies by business type: professionals pay 1/10 of 1% of gross receipts; retailers $50-$6,200/year; wholesalers $50-$7,500/year. A new business pays $50 if it opens in the first half of the calendar year, or $25 from July 1, pro-rated on projected gross sales.

   Not published. Shreveport issues a temporary license covering the first 30 days of business, after which you complete an update for the permanent license. Annual tax notices are mailed in December or January and are due before March 1.

3. Caddo Parish / Shreveport Electrical Permit (per project)

   An electrical permit must be obtained from the City of Shreveport Division of Permits and Inspections (505 Travis St., Government Plaza Ste. 130; electrical permits 318-673-6115) for each electrical project, and inspections including an electrical rough and electrical final are required. All electrical subcontractors must be listed on the permit.

   Official government source

   Calculated under Shreveport Code Sec. 22-1, not a flat range: commercial work $5.25 per $1,000 of contract price (repairs/alterations also $5.25 per $1,000); residential repairs/alterations $4.20 per $1,000; minimum permit fee $31.50. A $68.25 inspection fee applies per inspection, and $68.25 per reinspection. Working without a permit doubles the fee plus a $100 penalty.·Not published by the city; confirm current review and inspection scheduling with Permits and Inspections (318-673-6100).

   Calculated under Shreveport Code Sec. 22-1, not a flat range: commercial work $5.25 per $1,000 of contract price (repairs/alterations also $5.25 per $1,000); residential repairs/alterations $4.20 per $1,000; minimum permit fee $31.50. A $68.25 inspection fee applies per inspection, and $68.25 per reinspection. Working without a permit doubles the fee plus a $100 penalty.

   Not published by the city; confirm current review and inspection scheduling with Permits and Inspections (318-673-6100).

Official Sources

• Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors — Electrical Contractor License
• City of Shreveport Revenue Division

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