How do you check an arborist license in Louisiana?

Key facts

• Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry

  Source: LDAF arborist licensing, list links, categories and contract guidance, read 6 November 2026.

• Horticulture Commission

  Source: LDAF arborist licensing, list links, categories and contract guidance, read 6 November 2026.

Where is the official arborist list for Louisiana?

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry links separate lists for arborists and utility arborists from its arborist licensing page. The ordinary arborist list carries a November 2026 date. Open the relevant list from that agency page; the Horticulture Commission is the contact named there.

Source: LDAF arborist licensing, list links, categories and contract guidance, read 6 November 2026.

Use the agency's arborist-list link for ordinary tree work, and its utility-arborist link for that separate category. Read the status exactly as the record shows it; this guide does not assign a status meaning or reproduce an individual record. Source read 6 November 2026.

Source: LDAF arborist licensing, list links, categories and contract guidance, read 6 November 2026.

Your optional reading of LDAF’s separate arborist lists can inform the tree-work details you include in a written request on InstaBids.

What work does an arborist license cover in Louisiana?

The LDAF arborist page describes the ordinary arborist category through recommendations and tree-surgery work, including removal, pruning, trimming, cabling, fertilization, and cavity work. The agency's full scope sentence and its written-contract instruction appear below, alongside the legislature's establishing clause.

Source: LDAF arborist licensing, list links, categories and contract guidance, read 6 November 2026.

LDAF states: “If you make recommendations or execute tree-surgery type work, including tree removal, pruning, trimming, cabling, fertilization, and cavity work, you need an Arborist License.” Agency source, read 6 November 2026.

Source: LDAF arborist licensing, list links, categories and contract guidance, read 6 November 2026.

The Louisiana State Legislature publishes this text in section 3808(A): “A. A person who presents himself as, or advertises as, engaging in the arborist profession shall be required to obtain a license which shall subject that person to the following provisions:” Legislature source, read 6 November 2026.

Source: Louisiana State Legislature, section 3808(A), (N) and (P)(1), read 6 November 2026.

LDAF's arborist instructions also say: “Enter into a written contract with property owners specifying the work to be done and the sum to be paid.” Agency source, read 6 November 2026.

Source: LDAF arborist licensing, list links, categories and contract guidance, read 6 November 2026.

When outlining your written request on InstaBids, LDAF’s arborist scope offers specific work terms to consider during your own optional research.

When is the utility-arborist category relevant?

The LDAF arborist page identifies utility rights of way in its separate utility-arborist category. The agency distinguishes that work from the ordinary arborist category on the same page, with separate licensing descriptions and a separate list link for each.

Source: LDAF arborist licensing, list links, categories and contract guidance, read 6 November 2026.

LDAF explains: “If you recommend or execute the removal of trees or portions of trees along utility rights of way, you need a Utility Arborist License.” Agency source, read 6 November 2026.

Source: LDAF arborist licensing, list links, categories and contract guidance, read 6 November 2026.

The Louisiana State Legislature publishes section 3808(P)(1): “(1) A utility arborist's license authorizes the holder thereof to recommend or execute the removal of trees or portions of trees along utility rights of way.” Legislature source, read 6 November 2026.

Source: Louisiana State Legislature, section 3808(A), (N) and (P)(1), read 6 November 2026.

The utility-rights-of-way distinction on LDAF’s page can shape your description of tree locations and work boundaries in an InstaBids written request.

When does the arborist license expire in Louisiana?

The Louisiana State Legislature's horticulture page includes an annual expiration clause in section 3808(N). Consult that clause when considering the date of an arborist document; its exact wording follows, without a conclusion about any person's present license status.

Source: Louisiana State Legislature, section 3808(A), (N) and (P)(1), read 6 November 2026.

The legislature's section 3808(N) reads: “N. Each license and permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter shall expire on January thirty-first of each year and may be renewed in accordance with rules adopted by the commission.” Legislature source, read 6 November 2026.

Source: Louisiana State Legislature, section 3808(A), (N) and (P)(1), read 6 November 2026.

Keep the annual expiration clause in Louisiana’s horticulture source among your optional research notes while preparing your tree-work request on InstaBids.

Where can you report an arborist concern in Louisiana?

The LDAF complaints directory names the Horticulture Commission for horticulture concerns involving arborists in its operating-without-a-license category. Use the agency directory to reach that office. The directory sorts concerns by their nature.

Source: LDAF complaints directory, horticulture category, read 6 November 2026.

LDAF directs readers: “See below for common concerns, and contact the appropriate office based on the nature of your complaint.” Agency source, read 6 November 2026.

Source: LDAF complaints directory, horticulture category, read 6 November 2026.

The same directory labels the relevant category “Horticulture (arborist, flowers, nursery, landscaping)”. Agency source, read 6 November 2026.

Source: LDAF complaints directory, horticulture category, read 6 November 2026.

LDAF’s horticulture complaint route is a separate resource you may consult while organizing the tree-work scope and documents for an InstaBids request.

Where does InstaBids fit in?

Start your written request on InstaBids. There is no cost to see a request or bid.

Sources for the facts on this page

• LDAF arborist licensing, list links, categories and contract guidance, read 6 November 2026
• Louisiana State Legislature, section 3808(A), (N) and (P)(1), read 6 November 2026
• LDAF complaints directory, horticulture category, read 6 November 2026