California general contractor 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 That figure is out of date.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. General contractor license classes

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))