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Do you need a contractor license in California?

Yes, if the job is $1,000 or more (labor and materials), needs a building permit, or uses hired workers. The limit rose from $500 on 1 January 2025. (source: CSLB industry bulletin: AB 2622 implementation (opens in a new tab), source: AB 2622 (Business and Professions Code 7048) (opens in a new tab))

Check a license on the CSLB website (official site, opens in a new tab)

How: Search by license number (digits only), business name or person name. For "John Smith Construction" type "Smith John Con". (source: CSLB Check a License (opens in a new tab))

Checked against official Contractors State License Board sources. See sources.

When do you need a license?

$1,000 or more for a job means a license is needed.

A license is needed for any job of $1,000 or more, counting labor, materials and everything else. This rule started on 1 January 2025. Before that the limit was $500. (source: CSLB industry bulletin: AB 2622 implementation (opens in a new tab), source: AB 2622 (Business and Professions Code 7048) (opens in a new tab))

Penalties for unlicensed work

Sources and last verified

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