New Orleans Electrical and Mechanical License Renewal

At a glance

Who needs one

The City says electricians performing work within the City of New Orleans are required to obtain and renew annually an Electrical License from the City, and mechanical contractors performing work within the City (A/C, refrigeration and gasfitters) a Mechanical Contractor License

Licenses

Electrical: Class "A" Master Electrical (electrical contractor), Class "C" Maintenance Electrician, Class "D" Journeyman Electrician and Class "E" Electrician Trainee. Mechanical: Class "A" Master Mechanical (A/C and Refrigeration, or Master Gasfitter, with separate tests and separate payments; you may hold either or both) and Class "B" Journeyman (Mechanic or Gasfitter). A company may have only one Class "A" Master Electrical license holder, and only one Class "A" Master Mechanical license holder

Renews every

Year. Every license expires on the license holder's day of birth, as printed on the issued Trade License card

When you can renew

The renewal period starts 90 days before your birthday

How to renew

Online through the One Stop App (onestopapp.nola.gov), with each required document attached as a separate PDF, PNG or JPEG file

Every renewal needs

The Trade License Application for your license, a color passport photo or self-taken picture (a new one each year, taken within 3 to 6 months of the application: standing up, facing the camera, top of the head to the shoulders, no hat, nothing in the background) and a copy of your driver's license or state ID card. You must be 18 or older

Also needed, by license

Class A Electrical: an original copy of your state license. Class A A/C and Refrigeration: if you were state tested, a copy of your state license (statewide) and the qualifying party letter. Master and journeyman gasfitters: your State Plumbing Board natural gasfitter card or certificate

Insurance (Class A)

Current proof of general liability of not less than $500,000 and workers' compensation no less than the state requirement, both with the City of New Orleans listed as the certificate holder (the City's insurance address is Safety & Permits, 1340 Poydras St, Suite 800, New Orleans, LA 70112). If you have no employees, a notarized affidavit is needed

Journeyman and trainee documents

Class "D" Journeyman Electricians and Class "B" Journeyman Mechanics and Gasfitters submit the Journeyman Acknowledgement Document. A Class "E" Electrician Trainee needs a current signed statement, typed on company letterhead, from a current Master Class "A" license holder or your local union representative saying you work under them, plus a copy of your previous license card

Annual fees

Class A Electrical $125 ($30 inactive); Class A A/C and Refrigeration $110 and Class A Master Gasfitter $110 ($25 inactive); Class B Journeyman Mechanic or Gasfitter $55; Class C Maintenance Electrician $60; Class D Journeyman Electrician $60; Class E Electrician Trainee $30

Delinquent fee

Charged for each month late, from the first business day after your birthday: $10 a month for a Class A electrical or mechanical license (active or inactive), and $5 a month for Class C, D and E electrical licenses and a Class B Journeyman Mechanic. For a Class B Journeyman Gasfitter the City's license page ($5) and its application ($10) give different amounts, so ask Safety and Permits. The license pages start the fee on the first business day after your birthday; the application's fee table says the day after it

Expired too long

The City's pages and forms say a license left expired long enough has to be applied for again with a new exam (the application: "License lapsed for two (2) years will require retesting"). They give different time limits (one year or two, depending on the license and the document), so don't count on either: renew by your birthday

Continuing education

None listed: the City's license pages and forms name no continuing education requirement for these licenses. Ask Safety and Permits if you're unsure what your renewal needs

Inactive status (Class A only)

A Class A master license can be changed to inactive status by written request (the Inactive License Acknowledgement) and with the Department of Safety and Permits' approval. Inactive status is renewed each year, with written notice that you want to stay inactive, and only one change to inactive is allowed in any 12 months. You may not engage in business as a contractor while inactive; going back to active takes a written request and the full active fee

Class E trainees

The application says a Class E license is valid for a 5-year period, after which you must take the Class D Journeyman examination

Working under a master

A Class "D" Journeyman Electrician must be employed by and work under the supervision of a Class "A" Electrical Contractor; a Class "B" Journeyman Mechanic under a Class "A" Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor; a Class "B" Journeyman Gasfitter under a Class "A" Master Gasfitter

Questions

Safety and Permits, Trade License Division: (504) 658-7200 or TradeLicenseInfo@nola.gov, 1340 Poydras Street, Suite 800, 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

This guide covers the electrical and mechanical trade licenses the City of New Orleans issues. Louisiana's state licenses renew separately, on their own schedule: see the state's other guides.

A Class A master licensed as inactive may not engage in business as a contractor until the license is active again.

How to renew

1. Put your birthday renewal on your calendar about three months ahead: the renewal period opens 90 days before it.
2. Take a new photo (standing up, facing the camera, top of the head to the shoulders, no hat, plain background) and scan your driver's license or state ID.
3. Class A master license holders: get current certificates of insurance (general liability of at least $500,000 and workers' comp) listing the City of New Orleans as certificate holder; if you have no employees, a notarized affidavit is needed too. Class A Electrical, and A/C and refrigeration masters who were state tested: have your state license ready (A/C masters, with the qualifying party letter). Gasfitters: have your State Plumbing Board gasfitter card.
4. Journeymen: fill out the Journeyman Acknowledgement Document. Trainees: get a signed statement on letterhead from your Class A master or union representative.
5. Renew in the One Stop App, attach every document as a separate file and pay the annual fee before your birthday.
6. Missed it? Renew as soon as you can: the delinquent fee grows every month, and the City says a license left expired long enough needs a new exam.

Deadline checklist

• 90 days before your birthdayThe renewal period opens. Take a new photo and gather your ID and documents.
• 60 days before your birthdayClass A masters: get current certificates of insurance naming the City of New Orleans, plus a notarized affidavit if you have no employees. Class A Electrical, and state-tested A/C masters: check your state license is current.
• 30 days before your birthdayRenew in the One Stop App, attach every document as a separate file, and pay the annual fee.
• Your birthdayThe license expires. A delinquent fee is then added for each month you're late (from the first business day after your birthday, the license pages say; the application says the day after).

Put this renewal in your calendar

Know your expiration date? Download a free calendar file with reminders before it, no sign-up needed. It's made in your browser: nothing you type is sent to us (your browser keeps it only if you follow the sign-up link, for your new ledger). A Google Calendar button sends just that one event to Google.

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

Frequently asked questions