Some records from the western portion of this lizard's range may be confused with Chamaeleo senegalensis (Tilbury 2010, Trape et al. 2012).

Listed as Least Concern on the basis that this species has a very large extent of occurrence, is widespread and common, and there are no tangible threats at present.

This chameleon ranges through Central and East Africa, from Ethiopia to Cameroon and southwards to northern Zambia (Tilbury 2010). Although some records were reported from Cameroon (Trape et al. 2012), other works from Cameroon have not reported any records of this species (e.g. Wild 1993, 1994; Pook and Wild 1997; Gonwouo et al. 2006; Chirio and LeBreton 2007). Because of identification of C. laevigatus has been based primarily on subjective assessment of casque height, some of these discrepancies could have resulted from confusion with C. senegalensis (Tilbury 2010), as both species have similar casque size and shape. Therefore, the exact western extent of the C. laevigatus distribution is unclear and awaiting confirmation, although records from Cameroon are included here.

This is a common species in trees and bushes in the Central African savannah zone (Trape et al. 2012). The species is extremely widespread and its population is therefore considered stable at present.

This is an arboreal savannah chameleon, which is widespread (Tilbury 2010). It is sometimes observed in trees along watercourses (Trape et al. 2012).

There are currently no tangible direct threats to this species.

Annual CITES export quotas for C. laevigatus have only been issued once between 2000 and 2013, in 2013 from Tanzania for 10 captive born individuals (CITES 2013). Between 1977 and 2011 (2012 and 2013 trade data are incomplete or unavailable) a total of 28 live individuals were exported for trade purposes from Cameroon in 1999 (UNEP-WCMC 2013), but these may actually represent exports of C. senegalensis given that C. laevigatus does not occur in Cameroon. No other trade is reported and this species is not known to be present in the captive market, although isolated specimens may be exported as other species on occasion.

No conservation actions are recommended at this time.