California Contractor License Requirements
A California contractor license comes from one board, the Contractors State License Board (CSLB), for general and specialty work alike.
What kind of contractor?
A California contractor license comes from CSLB and is required for jobs of $1,000 or more, or any job needing a permit or extra workers. You need four years of journey-level experience in the past ten, usually an exam, and a $25,000 bond. The application fee is $450, and active licenses renew every two years.
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Hiring in California instead? Verify a California contractor license.
California contractor license requirements at a glance
| Who needs a license | Anyone contracting a job of $1,000 or more (labor and materials), any job that needs a building permit, or any job that uses additional workers. Contractors must be licensed before they bid. |
|---|---|
| Dollar threshold | $1,000 or more in total project cost. Below that, a license is still required if the job needs a permit or uses workers. |
| Exam(s) | Required, unless in the past five years you served as the qualifying individual for the same classification or passed the law and trade exams. |
| Experience required | Age 18 or older. The qualifying individual needs four full years of journey-level, foreman, supervisor, or contractor experience in the classification within the past ten years. |
| Bond | $25,000 contractor bond, in place before the license is issued. |
| Insurance | Workers’ compensation (or a Certification of Self-Insurance) for active C-8, C-20, C-22, C-39, and C-61/D-49 contractors, whether or not they have employees. General liability: not required. |
| Fees | Application: $450 (one classification). Initial license: $200 (sole owner) or $350 (non-sole owner). Home improvement salesperson registration: $200. |
| Typical timeline | Check with CSLB. |
| Renewal cycle | Active licenses expire every two years; inactive licenses every four years. |
How to get a contractor license in California
- Choose your classification. General engineering (A), general building (B), residential remodeling (B-2), or a specialty (C) class such as electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, or solar (CSLB classifications).
- Check that you qualify. You must be 18 or older, and you or your qualifying individual needs four years of experience in that classification within the past ten years (CSLB).
- Apply to CSLB. Start the application for an original contractor license and pay the $450 application fee (CSLB fees).
- Pass the exam unless you qualify for a waiver: you served as a qualifying individual for the same class, or passed the exams, within the past five years (CSLB).
- File your $25,000 bond and pay the initial license fee ($200 for a sole owner, $350 otherwise) before the license is issued.
- Salespeople register separately. If you sell home improvement work for a contractor, apply for Home Improvement Salesperson registration ($200).
- Renew every two years. Active licenses expire every two years (CSLB).
Residential, commercial, and trade licensing in California
General vs. specialty. A (general engineering) and B (general building) contractors take on broad projects, B-2 covers residential remodeling, and C classes cover single trades such as electrical (C-10), plumbing (C-36), HVAC (C-20), roofing (C-39), and solar (C-46).
Contractors vs. salespeople. People who sell home improvement work for a contractor don’t need a contractor license, but they must register with CSLB as Home Improvement Salespersons.
California contractor license FAQ
How do I get a contractor license in California?
Apply to CSLB for the classification you want, show four years of experience in it within the past ten years, pass the exam unless you qualify for a waiver, and file a $25,000 bond (CSLB).
How much does a California contractor license cost?
The application fee is $450 for one classification, and the initial license fee is $200 for a sole owner or $350 for other businesses (CSLB fees).
How much experience do I need for a California contractor license?
At least four full years at journey level, or as a foreman, supervisor, or contractor, in the classification you’re applying for, within the ten years before you apply.
Do I need a license for jobs under $1,000 in California?
Not if the job needs no building permit and you don’t use additional workers. If it needs a permit or you hire help, a license is required whatever the price (CSLB).
Do I need a bond for a California contractor license?
Yes. You need a $25,000 contractor bond in place before CSLB issues the license.
How often do I renew a California contractor license?
Active licenses expire every two years, and inactive licenses every four years (CSLB).
Hiring in California instead? Verify a California contractor license.
California contractor licensing overview · All states
Official sources
- Contractors State License Board (CSLB): cslb.ca.gov/Contractors/Applicants/Contractors_License/, cslb.ca.gov/Contractors/Applicants/Home_Improvement_Registration/, cslb.ca.gov/contractors/applicants/contractors_license/exam_application/before_applying_for_license.aspx, cslb.ca.gov/About_Us/Library/Fees.aspx, cslb.ca.gov/Contractors/Maintain_License/Renew_License/General_Renewal_Information.aspx, cslb.ca.gov/About_Us/Library/Licensing_Classifications/, cslb.ca.gov/Consumers/Hire_A_Contractor/Finding_The_Right_Contractor.aspx
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Independent reference. Not a government agency. A valid license does not guarantee quality of work, insurance coverage, or the absence of complaints.