California Contractor License (CSLB) Requirements
California licenses general contractors statewide through the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) — one of the most active licensing boards in the country.
- Quick facts
- Who needs a license
- Steps to get licensed
- Renewal
- FAQ
Quick facts
| Regulator | Contractors State License Board (CSLB) |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $450 (non-refundable processing fee) |
| Initial license fee | $200 (sole owner) / $350 (non-sole owner), paid after passing the exam |
| Required bond | $25,000 contractor bond (or cash deposit) before licensure |
| Experience required | 4 years at journeyman level (or as foreman/supervisor/contractor) in the classification, within the last 10 years |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Exam | Required, per license classification |
| Renewal | Every 2 years, $400 renewal fee |
| Project threshold | License required once a project (labor + materials) totals $1,000 or more, requires a permit, or uses additional workers |
Who needs a license
Anyone who constructs, alters, repairs, or demolishes any building, road, or structure in California needs a CSLB license if the project requires a building permit, involves hiring additional workers, or the total contract value is $1,000 or more. This threshold is low enough that nearly all professional construction work in California falls under it — casual, one-off small jobs are the main exception.
Steps to get licensed
- Confirm your classification. CSLB licenses by specialty (e.g., B – General Building, C-10 – Electrical, C-36 – Plumbing) — you apply for one classification at a time.
- Document your experience. You need 4 years of verifiable journeyman-level experience in that classification within the past 10 years, certified by someone who can vouch for your work.
- Submit your application and $450 processing fee. CSLB reviews your experience documentation before scheduling your exam.
- Pass the qualifying exam. Covers trade knowledge plus California business and law.
- Post your $25,000 bond and pay the initial license fee. $200 for a sole owner license, $350 for a partnership, corporation, or LLC.
- Show proof of workers’ comp (or file an exemption). Required before CSLB issues the license if you have employees.
Renewal
California contractor licenses are renewed every 2 years for $400. CSLB sends renewal notices in advance — lapsed licenses can be reinstated within a grace period, but working unlicensed in the interim carries real risk given how actively CSLB investigates complaints.
Does California recognize contractor licenses from other states?
Generally no — CSLB does not offer full reciprocity with other states. Some limited exam-waiver agreements exist for a small number of states, but most out-of-state contractors still need to meet California’s own experience and exam requirements from scratch. Check CSLB’s current reciprocity list before assuming your home-state license transfers.
Can I work in California with an LLC and no separate contractor license?
No. Forming a business entity doesn’t substitute for a CSLB contractor license — the license is tied to a qualifying individual who supervises the work, regardless of how the business itself is structured.
What’s the difference between the $450 fee and the $200/$350 fee?
The $450 is a non-refundable application processing fee paid up front, before you’re scheduled for the exam. The $200 (sole owner) or $350 (non-sole owner) is the initial license fee, paid only after you pass the exam and are ready to be issued the license itself.