No main & more than 6 beakers.

[Gary Vallery]

Here's my question. On a home with no main disconnect and a service panel with 6 or more breakers. Is it "law" stating that with more than 6 breakers their must be a main or is this more of a safety issue? Does this change state by state or is it under national jurisdiction?  I live in Louisiana and am somewhat unclear on the subject.

[Bill Warner]

Yes.. it is national building code
Covered in the National Electric Code (NEC)
Adoption of specific codes is dependent on state and local jurisdictions who can strike out or adopt whatever they wish.

[Dan Musielski]

Bill is right Gary....But 6 throws is one of those issues that is basically accepted just about everywhere(at least that I go); just like smoke/carbon at sleeping areas, GFCI within reach of water, grounding outlets, handrails on stairs, gas shut-off's...
No matter where you inspecting in the country, certain items are going be called out; especial safety concerns.  Maybe gutter extensions in Southern California is not as critical where it never rains(yes...I'm just basing my comment off a song); but in Chicago burbs you end up with a wet basement.   

[Bill Warner]

The caveat is "switches or hand movements"
Double pole breakers or breakers tied together count as one switch

[David Macy]

It also could be a split bus panel with one of the 6 breakers supplying the lower bus section that contains the 120 volt breakers.

Do you have a picture of the panel in question?

[Frank Newman]

Also, if is a sub-panel with a main panel outside next to the meter (common around here) a main breaker(or nor more than 6 to disconnect the service) would suffice.  Pictures definitely would help.