Is My HVAC Contractor Licensed and Insured in Louisiana?

AC repair, heating repair, HVAC installation, and air duct cleaning all fall under the same LSLBC Mechanical classification, specifically the "Heat, Air Conditioning, Ventilation, Duct Work, and Refrigeration" subclassification. If a company does any of these, the same license question applies to all of them — including duct cleaning, which people often assume is unregulated.

What the license actually requires

Louisiana requires 5 years of verifiable field experience in HVAC/mechanical work before an applicant can even sit for the Mechanical license exam, which covers trade knowledge, business law, and safety compliance. A license is generally required once a job's labor and materials exceed $10,000 — confirm the current exact threshold with LSLBC rather than treating that as a hard rule for every situation.

Verify an HVAC contractor's license

Search LSLBC's verification portal directly, or call the Text-to-Verify line (855-999-7896). Confirm the Mechanical classification (with the HVAC/duct subclassification) is listed, status is active, and the license hasn't expired.

Insurance: what to actually check

LSLBC's mandatory insurance minimums apply to Residential Construction, Home Improvement, and Mold Remediation license holders — not to a standard Mechanical/HVAC license. That means:

Ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) before the crew arrives.
Confirm General Liability is listed, and Workers' Compensation if the company has employees (required starting at one employee in Louisiana, no small-business exemption).
Call the insurer listed on the COI to confirm the policy is active.

What to ask before you hire

"What's your LSLBC Mechanical license number?"
"Can you send a COI before the installation date?"
"Will this job need a parish permit, and are you pulling it?"

Red flags

No license number, or a number that doesn't come back as "Mechanical" classification when you search it.
Pressure to sign same-day for a "today only" discount on a full system replacement.
A COI naming a different business than the one showing up to do the work.
Refuses to disclose refrigerant type before a recharge — a red flag on both cost and legality, since R-22 systems have their own EPA phase-out rules.

Louisiana's long, humid cooling season means HVAC systems here wear out faster than in most states — which makes verifying you're hiring a properly licensed, insured company more consequential than it might feel for a one-time repair.

This is general information, not legal advice — confirm current requirements directly at lslbc.gov. Ready to compare vetted local HVAC companies? Browse AC repair pros near you on GulfServicePros.

Common questions

Does air duct cleaning require the same license as AC repair in Louisiana?

Yes. Air duct cleaning falls under the same LSLBC Mechanical classification (Heat, Air Conditioning, Ventilation, Duct Work, and Refrigeration subclassification) as AC repair, heating repair, and HVAC installation.

How much field experience does an HVAC contractor need for a Louisiana license?

LSLBC requires 5 years of verifiable field experience in HVAC/mechanical work before an applicant can sit for the Mechanical license exam, which also covers business law and safety compliance.

How do I verify an HVAC contractor's license in Louisiana?

Search LSLBC's public portal at arlspublic.lslbc.louisiana.gov, or call the Text-to-Verify line at 855-999-7896. Confirm the Mechanical classification is listed and the license is active.

Is an HVAC company required to carry a minimum insurance amount in Louisiana?

Not under a standard Mechanical license — LSLBC's mandatory insurance minimums only apply to Residential Construction, Home Improvement, and Mold Remediation classifications. Request a Certificate of Insurance directly from any HVAC company you're considering.

Why does R-22 refrigerant matter when hiring an HVAC company?

R-22 is a phased-out refrigerant under EPA regulations, and a company that won't disclose refrigerant type before a recharge may be hiding a cost or legality issue. Always ask for the refrigerant type in writing before recharge work begins.

Why does HVAC licensing matter more in Louisiana than in milder climates?

Louisiana's long, humid cooling season means systems run harder and wear out faster than in most states, making improper installation or repair work more consequential and more likely to need warranty or insurance recourse later.