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California contractor license cost

Expect $450 to apply, then $200 (sole owner) or $350 (non-sole owner) for the license, plus a $25,000 bond. Renewal is every 2 years. (source: CSLB Fees (opens in a new tab), source: CSLB: Bond requirements (opens in a new tab), source: CSLB: Before applying for a license (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.

Costs and fees

FeeAmount
Application fee (exam or waiver, one class)$450 (source: CSLB Fees (opens in a new tab))
Initial license fee, sole owner$200 (source: CSLB Fees (opens in a new tab))
Initial license fee, non-sole owner$350 (source: CSLB Fees (opens in a new tab))
Add a class to an existing license$230 (source: CSLB Fees (opens in a new tab))
Active renewal, sole owner
C-10: $470		$450 (source: CSLB Fees (opens in a new tab))
Active renewal, non-sole owner
C-10: $720		$700 (source: CSLB Fees (opens in a new tab))
Late active renewal, sole owner
C-10: $695		$675 (source: CSLB Fees (opens in a new tab))
Late active renewal, non-sole owner
C-10: $1,070		$1,050 (source: CSLB Fees (opens in a new tab))
Inactive renewal, sole owner$300 (source: CSLB Fees (opens in a new tab))
Inactive renewal, non-sole owner$500 (source: CSLB Fees (opens in a new tab))
Home Improvement Salesperson (HIS) registration
Renewal is also $200		$200 (source: CSLB Fees (opens in a new tab))
Asbestos or HAZ certification application
Each		$125 (source: CSLB Fees (opens in a new tab))
Live Scan fingerprints: DOJ fee
Plus the Live Scan site fee		$32 (source: CSLB Fees (opens in a new tab))
Live Scan fingerprints: FBI fee$17 (source: CSLB Fees (opens in a new tab))

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

Bonds and insurance

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))

(source: CSLB: Finding the right contractor (opens in a new tab), source: CSLB: Workers' compensation (opens in a new tab))

Renewal

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

Sources and last verified

Last verified: . Next check due: . Every fact on this page links to one of these official pages.

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