TOPIC: No main & more than 6 beakers.

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.

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.

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. 

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

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?

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.