La. R.S. 34:993

Whenever there exists a necessity for more pilots as determined by the river port pilots, the Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners shall hold examinations under such rules and regulations and such requirements as they shall have provided, with the governor's approval; however, no applicant shall be considered by the board unless he submits proper evidence of moral character and is a voter of this state, and shall have completed an approved apprenticeship program within the geographic area affected by this Subpart. The Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners shall issue a certificate to the governor that the applicant has satisfied the requirements of this Subpart. The governor may then, in his discretion, appoint said applicant to existing vacancies.