Do Cleaning Companies Need a License in Louisiana?

For most trades on this site, "is my pro licensed" is the right question. For cleaning, it isn't — Louisiana has no state-level license for house cleaning, deep cleaning, move-in/out cleaning, janitorial work, pressure washing, or window cleaning. There's no LSLBC classification, no health department permit, nothing to look up. If a cleaning company advertises a "license number," ask what it's actually for — it's likely a parish or city business/occupational license, which varies by location (Lafayette, for example, doesn't require one for residential cleaning; other cities do) and isn't a trade credential.

The one real exception: mold remediation

If a cleaning or restoration company also offers mold remediation — a common upsell after water damage — that specific service does require an LSLBC Mold Remediation license, 24 hours of board-approved training, and (above $7,500 in labor and materials) proof of insurance under a real state mandate. "My cleaner said they can handle the mold too" is exactly the sentence to pause on — ask to see that specific license before agreeing.

What actually matters for cleaning: insurance

Since licensing isn't the gate here, insurance is the real signal:

General liability covers accidental property damage — a broken vase, a scratched floor.
Workers' compensation matters if the company employs cleaners (versus using independent contractors). Louisiana requires it starting at one employee, with no small-business exemption — a fact most homeowners don't know, and a legitimate question to ask a company that has staff.
Bonding is different from insurance — it protects against theft, and some companies carry it specifically because they send workers into homes unsupervised.

How to check

There's no government database for this — the only real method is asking directly:

Request a Certificate of Insurance (COI) before the first visit.
Confirm it lists General Liability, and Workers' Comp if they have employees.
Call the insurer listed on the COI to confirm the policy is active.

What to ask before you hire

"Do you carry general liability insurance, and can you send me a COI?"
"Are your cleaners employees or independent contractors?"
"Do you run background checks on people entering my home?"

Red flags

Refuses to provide any proof of insurance.
Can't say whether cleaners are employees or contractors.
Offers mold remediation without a separate LSLBC Mold Remediation license.
No consistency in who shows up — a different, unvetted person every visit with no explanation.

This is general information, not legal advice — for the one licensed exception, confirm current mold remediation requirements at lslbc.gov. Ready to compare vetted local cleaning companies? Browse house cleaning pros near you on GulfServicePros.

Common questions

Do house cleaners need a license in Louisiana?

No. Louisiana has no state-level license for residential or commercial cleaning. There is no LSLBC classification and no health department permit for standard cleaning work.

Does a cleaning company need a local business license?

Possibly, depending on the parish or city — this varies. Lafayette, for example, does not require a business license for residential cleaning, while other cities do. This is a local requirement, not a trade credential.

Do cleaning companies need insurance in Louisiana?

There's no state mandate requiring it, but any reputable company should carry general liability insurance, and workers' compensation is legally required in Louisiana once they have even one employee.

How do I verify a cleaning company's insurance?

There's no public database. Ask for a Certificate of Insurance directly, confirm it lists General Liability (and Workers' Compensation if they have employees), and call the listed insurer to confirm the policy is active.

Does mold remediation require a license in Louisiana?

Yes. Unlike general cleaning, mold remediation requires a specific LSLBC Mold Remediation license, 24 hours of board-approved training, and proof of insurance for jobs above $7,500.

Is a single-employee cleaning company required to carry workers' comp in Louisiana?

Yes. Louisiana requires workers' compensation coverage starting at one employee, with no exemption based on business size — a requirement many homeowners assume only applies to larger companies.