California electrical license

1. Who needs a license

$1,000 or more for a job (labor and materials) means a license is needed. (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))

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))

• A license is needed at any price if the job needs a building permit or the person hires any workers. (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))
• Splitting a job into smaller contracts to stay under the limit does not count. (source: AB 2622 (Business and Professions Code 7048) (opens in a new tab))
• Unlicensed people may advertise only for jobs under $1,000, and must say they are not licensed. (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))
• CSLB's older "What You Should Know" pamphlet still says $500. That figure is out of date. (source: CSLB "What You Should Know" pamphlet (older, says $500) (opens in a new tab))

Home Improvement Salespeople

• Anyone who sells or negotiates home improvement contracts for a licensed contractor must register as a Home Improvement Salesperson (HIS), whatever the dollar amount. (source: CSLB: Before applying for HIS registration (opens in a new tab), source: Business and Professions Code 7152 (opens in a new tab))
• Exceptions include listed officers, partners and qualifiers, buyer-initiated sales in retail stores, appointment setters and service repairpersons. (source: CSLB: Before applying for HIS registration (opens in a new tab))
• Ask to see the HIS registration card and photo ID. (source: CSLB: Finding the right contractor (opens in a new tab))

Penalties for unlicensed work

• Unlicensed contracting is a misdemeanor. First conviction: up to a $5,000 fine and/or 6 months in county jail. (source: Business and Professions Code 7028 (opens in a new tab))
• Second conviction: a fine of $5,000 or 20% of the contract price, whichever is greater, and at least 90 days in jail. (source: Business and Professions Code 7028 (opens in a new tab))
• Third or later: a fine from $5,000 up to the greater of $10,000 or 20% of the contract price, and 90 days to 1 year in jail. (source: Business and Professions Code 7028 (opens in a new tab))
• CSLB can cite unlicensed people up to $15,000 or refer them to the district attorney, but it cannot force them to fix your project. (source: CSLB: After you file your complaint (opens in a new tab))

2. Electrical license classes

Good to know for electrical work in California

• Anyone doing electrical work (connections of 100 volt-amperes or more) for a C-10 contractor must be certified by DIR. The C-10 qualifier and registered apprentices are exempt. There is no grace period for out-of-state electricians. (source: DIR Electrician Certification FAQ (opens in a new tab), source: California Labor Code 108.2 (opens in a new tab))
• Certification types and hours: General 8,000, Residential 4,800, Fire/Life Safety 4,000, Voice Data Video 4,000, Non-residential Lighting 2,000. (source: DIR electrician certification categories (opens in a new tab))
• C-10 renewal fees are $20 higher than other classes: $470 sole owner, $720 non-sole owner. (source: CSLB Fees (opens in a new tab))

3. Fees, exam, bond and insurance

Fees

Fees are set by the board and can change. Check the official fee page before you pay.

Experience and steps

Experience: 4 years. The qualifier needs 4 years of journey-level experience (or as a foreman, supervisor, contractor or owner-builder) in the class, within the last 10 years. (source: CSLB: Before applying for a license (opens in a new tab), source: CSLB: Experience for the exam (opens in a new tab))

• Someone with first-hand knowledge of your work must verify the experience. (source: CSLB: Experience for the exam (opens in a new tab))
• You must be 18 or older. (source: CSLB: Before applying for a license (opens in a new tab))
• There is no financial-worth requirement. (source: CSLB: Before applying for a license (opens in a new tab))

1. Check your experience You need 4 years of journey-level experience in the class within the last 10 years. (source: CSLB: Experience for the exam (opens in a new tab))
2. Pick your class Choose the CSLB class that matches your work, such as C-20 for HVAC or C-10 for electrical. (source: CSLB Licensing Classifications (opens in a new tab))
3. Apply and pay Send the application with the $450 fee. (source: CSLB Fees (opens in a new tab))
4. Get fingerprinted Do a Live Scan fingerprint and background check. (source: CSLB Fees (opens in a new tab))
5. Pass the exams Pass the Law and Business exam and the trade exam, plus the open-book asbestos exam. (source: CSLB: Applicants (opens in a new tab))
6. File your bond and pay the license fee File a $25,000 contractor bond, show workers' comp or an exemption, then pay the initial license fee. (source: CSLB: Bond requirements (opens in a new tab), source: CSLB: Workers' compensation (opens in a new tab), source: CSLB Fees (opens in a new tab))

Exam

An exam is required. (source: CSLB: Applicants (opens in a new tab))

• Law and Business exam (source: CSLB: Applicants (opens in a new tab))
• Trade exam: Not needed for C-61 Limited Specialty (source: CSLB: Applicants (opens in a new tab))
• Asbestos open-book exam: Plus a signed verification form after you pass (source: CSLB: Applicants (opens in a new tab))

• An exam waiver is possible at the registrar's discretion, for example if you are (or were in the last 5 years) a qualifier in the same class, or passed both exams in the last 5 years. (source: CSLB: Qualifying for waivers (opens in a new tab), source: Business and Professions Code 7065.1 (opens in a new tab))

Bond

$25,000 bond required. A $25,000 contractor bond (or a $25,000 cashier's check) is needed before you get an active license. This amount applies since 1 January 2023. (source: CSLB: Bond requirements (opens in a new tab), source: CSLB: Before applying for a license (opens in a new tab))

• A Responsible Managing Officer or Employee may also need a separate $25,000 bond of qualifying individual. (source: CSLB: Bond requirements (opens in a new tab))
• LLCs also need a $100,000 employee/worker bond. (source: CSLB: LLC information (opens in a new tab))
• A bond is often not enough to cover a big job or many claims. (source: CSLB: Finding the right contractor (opens in a new tab))

Insurance

• Workers' comp: Required if you have any employees. Otherwise file an exemption. (source: CSLB: Finding the right contractor (opens in a new tab), source: CSLB: Workers' compensation (opens in a new tab))
• General liability: Not generally required, but it must be disclosed in the contract. (source: CSLB: Finding the right contractor (opens in a new tab), source: CSLB: Workers' compensation (opens in a new tab))

• C-8, C-20, C-22, C-39 and C-61/D-49 tree service must carry workers' comp even with no employees. (source: CSLB: Workers' compensation (opens in a new tab))
• LLCs need liability insurance of at least $1 million for up to 5 licensed personnel, plus $100,000 for each extra person, up to $5 million. (source: CSLB: LLC information (opens in a new tab))

Renewal

• Renew every 2 years. (source: CSLB: General renewal information (opens in a new tab))

Active licenses renew every 2 years. Inactive licenses renew every 4 years. (source: CSLB: General renewal information (opens in a new tab))

• Active renewal is $450 for a sole owner or $700 for a non-sole owner (C-10: $470 / $720). (source: CSLB Fees (opens in a new tab))

4. How to look up a contractor

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))

You can search by: License number, Business name, Person name, HIS registration. (source: CSLB Check a License (opens in a new tab))

More ways to check

• The license detail page shows bond history and workers' comp information. (source: CSLB: Bond basics (opens in a new tab), source: CSLB: Finding the right contractor (opens in a new tab))
• Ask to see the pocket license and photo ID. The person must match the license. (source: CSLB: Finding the right contractor (opens in a new tab))
• Get 3 or more written bids for the same scope of work. (source: CSLB: Finding the right contractor (opens in a new tab))
• Type only the first 10 to 15 letters of a name. Results show 50 at a time. (source: CSLB Check a License (opens in a new tab))

Full checklist: how to check a contractor

5. Reciprocity (license transfer)

• Arizona: Reciprocity agreement with CSLB. (source: CSLB: Reciprocity (opens in a new tab))
• Louisiana: Reciprocity agreement with CSLB. (source: CSLB: Reciprocity (opens in a new tab))
• Mississippi: Reciprocity agreement with CSLB. (source: CSLB: Reciprocity (opens in a new tab))
• Nevada: Reciprocity agreement with CSLB. (source: CSLB: Reciprocity (opens in a new tab))
• North Carolina: Reciprocity agreement with CSLB. (source: CSLB: Reciprocity (opens in a new tab))

• Reciprocity can waive the trade exam. The Law and Business exam is still required unless you passed it in the last 5 years. (source: CSLB: Application for original license (waiver) (opens in a new tab))

Use the reciprocity checker

6. Red flags when hiring

• No license number on the ad, business card, bid or contract. California requires it. (source: CSLB: Finding the right contractor (opens in a new tab))
• Their photo ID does not match the pocket license. (source: CSLB: Finding the right contractor (opens in a new tab))
• No fixed business address ("they work out of the back of a pickup truck"). (source: CSLB: Finding the right contractor (opens in a new tab))
• They have employees but no workers' comp. (source: CSLB: Finding the right contractor (opens in a new tab))
• A bid that is much lower than the others. (source: CSLB: Finding the right contractor (opens in a new tab))
• Asking for a down payment of more than 10% of the price or $1,000, whichever is less. (source: CSLB: Contracts and binding agreements (opens in a new tab))

7. How to complain

How to file a complaint

• CSLB has forms for a general complaint, a lead referral for an active job site, advertising complaints, building-permit violations and solar complaints. (source: CSLB: Filing a complaint (opens in a new tab))
• File within 4 years of the problem (up to 10 years for some hidden structural defects). (source: CSLB: Filing a complaint (opens in a new tab), source: CSLB: After you file your complaint (opens in a new tab))
• Tell the contractor about the problem in writing first. (source: CSLB: Filing a complaint (opens in a new tab), source: CSLB: After you file your complaint (opens in a new tab))
• CSLB does not guarantee you get money back. For that, use small claims or another court. (source: CSLB: Filing a complaint (opens in a new tab), source: CSLB: After you file your complaint (opens in a new tab))