All states · Louisiana
Licensing in Louisiana
In Louisiana, beauty licenses are issued by the State Board of Cosmetology, barbers by a separate Board of Barber Examiners, massage therapists by the Board of Massage Therapy, and builders by the State Licensing Board for Contractors, with different thresholds for commercial and residential work.
State licenses
License names are official, as they appear in state documents. Choose a field.
| License | Training | Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 1,500 hours | Written and practical |
| Esthetician | 750 hours | Written and practical |
| Manicurist | 500 hours | Written and practical |
| Barber | Barber college or apprenticeship | Board of Barber Examiners exam |
- Cosmetologist, esthetician and manicurist licenses are issued by the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology; the exams are written and practical.
- Barbers are licensed by a separate Board of Barber Examiners. Exam eligibility: barber college, a cosmetology certificate, or an apprenticeship.
| License | Training | Exam | Renewal | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Massage Therapist | 500 hours | National + state oral exam | Annually, by March 31 | 12 per year |
- Licenses are issued by the Louisiana Board of Massage Therapy. After a national exam (MBLEx, NCBTMB or NCCAOM), applicants must pass the board’s oral exam.
- The board lists a 500-hour minimum. In 2024 the legislature passed an increase to 625 hours — check the current requirement with the board.
| License | Issued by | Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Registered NurseRN | Louisiana State Board of Nursing | NCLEX-RN |
| Licensed Practical NurseLPN | State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners | NCLEX-PN |
| Certified Nursing AssistantCNA | Louisiana Department of Health | State exam |
| Medical Assistant | No state license | Optional certification |
- Louisiana is in the Nurse Licensure Compact. RNs and LPNs are regulated by two separate state boards.
- CNA certification lasts 2 years; to keep it, you must work at least 8 hours during that period.
| License | Issued by | When required |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial License | LSLBC | Projects of $50,000 or more |
| Residential Building License | LSLBC | Projects over $75,000 |
| Home Improvement Registration | LSLBC | $7,500 to $75,000 |
| Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing | LSLBC | Work over $10,000 |
| Mold Remediation | LSLBC | $7,500 or more |
- Plumbers are currently licensed by the State Plumbing Board. On January 1, 2027, the board is abolished and its duties move to the LSLBC.
| What | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Salon | State Board of Cosmetology | Establishment license |
| LLC | Louisiana Secretary of State | Registration — file Articles of Organization |
Your state requires an exam — we prepare you online
An exam-prep platform for Cosmetology, Barber, Esthetician and Nail Technician, as well as state law tests. Questions in the real exam format, a breakdown of every mistake, access from your phone and computer — study whenever it suits you.
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Louisiana specifics
- A separate barber board. Barbers are licensed by the Board of Barber Examiners, not the cosmetology board.
- An oral exam for massage. After the national exam comes an oral exam by the state board.
- Massage renews every year. By March 31, with 12 CE hours of Louisiana-approved courses.
- Construction thresholds. Commercial from $50,000, residential over $75,000, home improvement from $7,500.
- Plumbing moves to the LSLBC. The State Plumbing Board is abolished on January 1, 2027.
- In the Nurse Licensure Compact. A multistate nursing license is valid here.
What professionals earn in Louisiana
Median annual wage statewide, excluding tips. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours does a cosmetologist need?
1,500 training hours, then the board’s written and practical exams.
Which exam do massage therapists take?
One national exam (MBLEx, NCBTMB or NCCAOM) plus the Louisiana board’s oral exam.
Do I need a license for home remodeling?
Work from $7,500 to $75,000 needs Home Improvement Registration with the LSLBC; above that, a Residential Building License.
Can a nurse from a compact state work in Louisiana?
Yes. Louisiana is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact.
*Current as of September 30, 2026. The information on this page is not official and is for general reference only. Requirements are set by state and local authorities and may change — always check the official websites: Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology, Louisiana Board of Massage Therapy, Louisiana State Board of Nursing, Louisiana Department of Health, Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors, Louisiana Secretary of State. Wage data — BLS.