Obtaining a Louisiana Landscape License
Discover how to secure a Louisiana landscape license and learn about Harbor Compliance—a reliable partner that can guide you through the process.
Louisiana Landscape License—A Complete Guide
When talking about landscaping licenses in Louisiana, we’re referring to horticulture licenses. Professional horticulturists require a Louisiana landscape horticulturist license to provide services such as bush pruning or plan installation in the state. Without one, they are not legally allowed to bid for contracts and undertake new projects. On top of that, contractors signing high-value or commercial projects require an additional license.
As opposed to individuals, landscaping firms in Louisiana are not required to have a license, but they do need to employ licensed professionals to be able to work with clients.
Keeping up with all the rules and regulations in this field can be challenging, especially if you already have a packed schedule at work. For that reason, we’ve created this article to guide you through the process of acquiring and maintaining a Louisiana landscape license.
We’ll also introduce Harbor Compliance and explain how it can assist landscaping professionals in obtaining and renewing licenses with ease. If you’re running an organization, you’ll also see how Harbor Compliance can help you obtain and manage various certifications.
Types of Licenses Horticulturists Need
Horticulturists are agricultural experts and mainly work in two places—plant nurseries and farms. That’s why they require different licenses if they provide more than one service. The table below details some of the license types and explains what they can be used for:
| License | Type of Service |
|---|---|
| Landscape Irrigation Contractor License | Lawn irrigation |
| Seed Dealers License | Hydro and grass seeding |
| Arborist License | Pruning, cutting, trimming, or removing trees |
| Landscape Horticulturist License | Grass sodding, mulching, installing plants, etc |
| Landscape Architect License | Plan designing (for drainage, landscape, irrigation, related construction, etc.) |
Horticulturists can hold one or multiple licenses mentioned in the table above simultaneously to officially work on projects.
Louisiana Landscape Horticulturist License Requirements
There are only two simple requirements individuals have to meet to get a horticulturist license in Louisiana:
- Exam—All applicants must take and pass the landscape horticulturist exam with a score of 70% or higher. Louisiana’s Department of Agriculture and Forestry recommends using the “The Louisiana Manual for the Environmental Horticulture Industry” book as a reference when preparing.
- Age—All applicants who wish to take the exam must be 17 years of age or older.
How To Obtain a Louisiana Landscape Horticulturist License
The process of applying for a Louisiana landscape horticulturist license consists of the following steps:
- Fill out the official exam application, choose where you want to take it, and mail the application to the official Horticulture Commission of Louisiana.
- Wait for the call from the Horticulture Commission to schedule the date of your exam. Provide a date of your choosing within 90 days from the date of submitting the application.
- Pay a $114 exam fee.
Once you pass the exam, all there’s left is to pay a $100 horticulture license fee to get your certification.
How to Maintain a Louisiana Landscape License
When it comes to the maintenance and renewal of landscape licenses, Louisiana outlines different requirements based on the type of license you hold. Some of the more specific requirements are associated with the following licenses:
- Landscape architect license—Requires individuals to accumulate eight hours of continuous education (CE) between each license period.
- Landscape irrigation license—License holders must attend an event held by the Louisiana Irrigation Association once every three years.
- Nursery license—Nursery operators need to ensure that every nursery stock has a permit tag and can pass any inspections.
In addition to the ones above, landscape license holders may also need to pay license/inspection fees, which can range from $100 to $150.
Additional Licenses Needed for Contractors
Solo contractors only need a horticulturist license when taking on general work like laying sod for a backyard. However, engaging in high-value or commercial projects requires obtaining additional licenses from the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC).
There are over 40 company and individual licenses Louisiana contractors might need. The table below is just a short sample of licenses a contractor may need to take on specific projects:
| License Type | Project Requirements |
|---|---|
| Commercial license | A commercial contractor license is necessary for commercial projects with costs exceeding $50,000 or plumbing, mechanical, and electrical projects costing $10,000 or more. Other projects, such as lead-based paint or hazardous material removal, also require this license. |
| Residential license | Renovation of existing properties or residential construction projects for living valued at $75,000 or more requires obtaining a residential license. |
| Home improvement license | A home improvement license is required for renovation projects that exceed $7,500 but are lower than $75,000. |
| Mold remediation license | Mold remediation projects that cost $7,500 or more require obtaining a mold remediation contractor license. |
Note: All costs listed in the table include the overall material and labor costs.
Keeping up with all the information and requirements regarding landscape licenses in Louisiana can be difficult when running a business. That’s why it’s best if you leave it to experts.
Harbor Compliance’s Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions help landscaping professionals stay updated and in control of all their licensing matters. If you’re running a company, we can even help you obtain and manage the necessary certifications!
Louisiana Landscape Licensure Process Made Easy With Harbor Compliance
Harbor Compliance assists professionals in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry with understanding and managing their licensing requirements. Some of the licenses we can support you with include:
Benefits of Using Harbor Compliance’s Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions
Landscape businesses can take advantage of our licensing services and expedite the entire licensure process. Here are the main benefits you can expect once you partner with us:
- Team of experts—Get access to our team of specialists who can take over every step of the process, from registering your business to renewing licenses after each tenure.
- Quick assistance—Whenever you have a query, we’ll always be available to answer you. With quick responses, you can focus more on your primary work and less on staying up to speed with new regulations.
- Extensive database—Our database contains a wide range of topics, helping both individuals and firms keep track of licensing requirements throughout the U.S.
You can also opt for our Software Suite, a management software platform powered by Compliance Core™. It contains several modules, each helping you visualize different aspects of your company’s compliance. Take a look at some of the modules:
- Entity Manager—Enables complete visibility of your entities and compliance statuses and automates annual report and compliance tracking. It also helps you maintain good standing, avoid late fees and penalties, and ensure continuity through organizational changes.
- Tax Manager—Monitors federal, state, and local tax registrations, reducing the time you’d spend navigating key tax account information.
- Records Manager—Helps store organizational documents specific to your firm type and lets you keep track of ownership and leadership.
- License Manager—Enables seamless license management, research, and renewal, eliminating the need for tracking spreadsheets.
- Requirements Research Engine—Lets you research licensing requirements from a single location, enabling smooth expansion to new states and markets. It contains detailed information about the certification requirements (including agency details, necessary paperwork, required fees, etc.).
The Process of Ordering Harbor Compliance’s Service
Ordering our service is easy—here’s what you need to do:
- Go to the Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions service page.
- Open the Contact Us form.
- Enter your information.
- Hit Let’s talk.
Additional Services by Harbor Compliance
Apart from license management, we provide additional services to help your business run smoothly. Check out the table below for more details:
| Service Category | Services |
|---|---|
| Entity lifecycle management | We can assist you with initial and annual reports, DBA, entity name reservation, and certificate of withdrawal. |
| Document filing and retrieval | We help you secure critical documents like reinstatement articles, certificates of authority, certificates of good standing, and certified copies. Submit any papers on time with our drop-off filing service. |
| Business licensing support | We help you obtain general business licenses, as well as other industry licenses, such as those for construction, real estate, healthcare, etc. |
| Beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting | Report your company’s ownership data using our BOI reporting service. Use our secure Records Manager to store data. |
| Registered agent service | Appoint us as your registered agent and use our Registered Agent Service to ensure good standing with the state. |
| Tax registration | Take advantage of our sales and use tax registration, Employer Identification Number (EIN), and payroll tax registration services. |
Landscape Horticulturist License in Louisiana FAQs
Below, we’ll answer a few commonly asked questions regarding the Louisiana horticulturist license. Access more resources by exploring our visit our comprehensive Information Center.
According to Louisiana's Department of Agriculture and Forestry, a horticulturist license is necessary when providing any of the following services:
- Fertilizing
- Pruning
- Running a plant nursery
- Installing plants
- Maintaining land
- Preparing flower beds
- Laying sod
It depends. The state of Louisiana allows only individuals with a landscape architecture license to draw landscape designs legally. Since landscape architecture is a subcategory of the horticulturist license, professionals with that designation can offer landscape drawing services. While licensed horticulturalists without the designation cannot.
Yes. All yard services, such as hand-weeding or lawn trimming, are not regulated by Louisiana's Department of Agriculture and Forestry and do not require a license to legally practice.
Yes. If you possess a residential contractor license, you’ll need to collect at least six hours of CE each year. However, if you hold a valid commercial license in heavy, municipal/public, highway, street, bridge, or building construction, you’ll meet this requirement automatically.
Partner With Harbor Compliance and Enjoy Smooth Landscape Licensing
Having a landscape or horticulturist license allows professionals in Louisiana to legally offer a wide range of services and run their nurseries. If you’re taking on higher value or commercial projects, you’ll need a contractor’s license as well.
Keeping up with such information can be time-consuming and energy-draining. At Harbor Compliance, we aim to make licensure a speedy and effortless journey by offering useful databases to professionals and businesses.
Partner with us today and never worry about missing out on essential updates and state regulations—let our team of experts take care of your firm’s license application and management.
Order our comprehensive Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions to simplify the licensing process and focus on running your business. Schedule a demo to see our services and products in action.
Want to assess your compliance status? Use our free Harbor Compliance Score™ and uncover any potential red flags.
Check out the table below to understand the different architecture licensing requirements across the U.S:
