California Electrical Contractor (C-10) License Requirements
California doesn’t use the journeyman/master terminology most states do — electrical contracting is licensed through CSLB’s C-10 classification, with its own experience, exam, and bonding rules.
- Quick facts
- Steps to get licensed
- The two required exams
- Reciprocity
- FAQ
Quick facts
| Regulator | California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) |
|---|---|
| Classification | C-10 — Electrical Contractor |
| Experience required | 4 years of journey-level (or foreman, supervisor, contractor, or owner-builder) experience in electrical work within the last 10 years; up to 3 of those years can be substituted with approved education or apprenticeship training, but at least 1 year of practical experience is always required |
| Exams | Two required: the C-10 trade exam and the Law & Business exam, both administered by PSI on CSLB’s behalf |
| Contractor License Bond | $25,000 (raised from $15,000, effective January 1, 2023 under Senate Bill 607) |
| Bond of the Qualifying Individual | An additional $25,000, required only when the license is qualified by a Responsible Managing Employee (RME), or by a Responsible Managing Officer (RMO) who owns less than 10% of the company’s stock — not required for a typical sole owner qualifying their own license |
| Application fee | $450 non-refundable processing fee (plus $150 for each additional classification applied for at the same time) |
| Initial license fee | $200 (sole owner) or $350 (all other entity types), paid after passing both exams |
| Renewal | Every 2 years for an active license ($450 sole owner / $700 non-sole-owner timely renewal fee); every 4 years for an inactive license |
Steps to get licensed
- Document 4 years of qualifying electrical experience at the journey level or above, within the last 10 years (up to 3 years can come from approved education or apprenticeship training, but at least 1 year must be practical experience).
- Submit your application and the $450 processing fee to CSLB.
- Pass both required exams — the C-10 trade exam and the Law & Business exam — administered by PSI.
- Purchase your $25,000 Contractor License Bond. If your license will be qualified by an RME, or by an RMO who owns less than 10% of the company, also purchase the additional $25,000 Bond of the Qualifying Individual.
- Pay your initial license fee ($200 sole owner, $350 other entities) once you’ve passed both exams, to have your license issued.
The two required exams
Unlike states that only require a single trade exam, California requires C-10 applicants to pass two separate exams: the C-10 trade exam, which tests electrical knowledge and code, and the Law & Business exam, which covers licensing law, contracts, insurance, and business practices rather than electrical work itself. Both are administered by PSI, a third-party testing company, not by CSLB directly. If you qualify for reciprocity from another state, CSLB may waive the trade exam, but the Law & Business exam is always required, with no exception.
Reciprocity
CSLB has reciprocity agreements that waive the trade exam (not the Law & Business exam) for contractors who have held an active, good-standing license for at least 5 years in Arizona, Louisiana, Nevada, or North Carolina. Check CSLB’s current reciprocity page for the exact classifications covered and any additional conditions before assuming your out-of-state license qualifies.
Does California use the journeyman/master electrician system?
No. California licenses electrical contracting through the CSLB’s C-10 classification system rather than a journeyman/master tier structure used by many other states. An individual electrician working as an employee under a licensed C-10 contractor is separately certified through the state’s electrician certification program administered by the Division of Apprenticeship Standards, which is a different process from the C-10 contractor license itself.
How much does the C-10 bond actually cost me?
The $25,000 bond amount is the coverage level, not the price you pay — a surety bond premium is typically a small percentage of the bond amount, based on your credit and financial history. Get quotes from a licensed surety bond provider for the current premium rather than assuming a figure, since it varies by applicant.
Can I skip the Law and Business exam if I have an out-of-state electrical license?
No. CSLB’s reciprocity agreements can waive the C-10 trade exam for qualifying applicants from Arizona, Louisiana, Nevada, or North Carolina, but the Law & Business exam is required of every applicant, with no reciprocity exception.