It issues state licenses for general contractors, electrical contractors, plumbing contractors, HVAC contractors and roofing contractors. Use the official lookup below to check a contractor. Information as of October 6, 2026.
The CSLB Check A License page looks up a license by number or business name and shows its status and complaint disclosure. source
Confirm the record is active and the class matches the job (A - General Engineering Contractor or B - General Building Contractor or B-2 - Residential Remodeling Contractor). The board's own record governs. A license is required for jobs above A CSLB license is required when labor, materials and other costs on the project total $1,000 or more, or the job needs a building permit or uses employee labor. source
Check the bond and insurance on the record against the state minimums: Contractor license bond of $25,000 (or a $25,000 cashier's check filed with CSLB) before the license is issued. source Workers' compensation insurance is required for licensees with employees (others file an exemption); LLC licensees also need liability insurance (see the LLC verify note). source
CSLB can act on complaints about licensed and unlicensed contractors' projects for up to four years. source If mediation fails and the estimated loss is under $12,500, CSLB may point the consumer to small claims court and the license bond. source
Homeowner protections in California
Every contractor carries a $25,000 license bond filed for consumers harmed by defective work or license law violations and for unpaid employees. source
Bond claims are filed with the surety company that wrote the bond, within its time limits; CSLB does not process bond claims. source
If a bond is canceled and not replaced within 30 days, the license is suspended. source
On a home improvement or swimming pool job the down payment cannot exceed $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract price, whichever is less. source
An LLC licensee must carry liability insurance of at least $1 million (plus $100,000 per personnel member beyond five, capped at $5 million) and a $100,000 employee/worker bond. source
Get licensed
For a general contractor working in California.
Apply to Contractors State License Board as a A - General Engineering Contractor or B - General Building Contractor or B-2 - Residential Remodeling Contractor.
Two exams: the Law and Business exam plus a trade exam for the class applied for. source
Experience: at least 4 years of journey level, foreman, supervisor, contractor or owner-builder experience in the class applied for; up to 3 years can be credited for training or education. source
Post a contractor license bond of $25,000 (or a $25,000 cashier's check filed with CSLB) before the license is issued. source
Carry workers' compensation insurance is required for licensees with employees (others file an exemption); LLC licensees also need liability insurance (see the LLC verify note). source
Pay the original application fee, covering the exam or waiver for one classification: $450. source
Active licenses renew every two years; inactive licenses every four years. source
Other trades
Electrical: state license, $25,000 bond, $450 fee. Requirements
Plumbing: state license, $25,000 bond, $450 fee. Requirements
HVAC: state license, $25,000 bond, $450 fee. Requirements
Roofing: state license, $25,000 bond, $450 fee. Requirements
Requirements by trade
General contractorSources checked October 6, 2026
Exam
Two exams: the Law and Business exam plus a trade exam for the class applied for. source
Experience
At least 4 years of journey level, foreman, supervisor, contractor or owner-builder experience in the class applied for; up to 3 years can be credited for training or education. source
Bond
Contractor license bond of $25,000 (or a $25,000 cashier's check filed with CSLB) before the license is issued. source
Insurance
Workers' compensation insurance is required for licensees with employees (others file an exemption); LLC licensees also need liability insurance (see the LLC verify note). source
Renewal
2 years (Active licenses renew every two years; inactive licenses every four year). source
Reciprocity
Reciprocity with Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada and North Carolina in classifications on each state's reciprocal list, for contractors licensed in good standing there for the previous five years; the trade exam may be waived but the Law and Business exam is still required. A B applicant who passed the NASCLA Commercial General Builders exam and held a general building license for five years also qualifie. source
Fees
$450 (Original application fee, covering the exam or waiver for one classification). source
$200 (Initial license fee for a sole owner). source
$350 (Initial license fee for a corporation, LLC, partnership or other non-sole owner). source
Exam fee: no separate exam fee is listed; the exam is covered by the $450 original application fee. source
$450 (Active license renewal for a sole owner, filed on time). source
$700 (Active license renewal for a non-sole owner, filed on time). source
$150 (Each additional classification on an original license application). source
ElectricalSources checked October 6, 2026
Exam
Two exams: the Law and Business exam plus a trade exam for the class applied for. source
Experience
At least 4 years of journey level, foreman, supervisor, contractor or owner-builder experience in the class applied for; up to 3 years can be credited for training or education. source
Bond
Contractor license bond of $25,000 (or a $25,000 cashier's check filed with CSLB) before the license is issued. source
Insurance
Workers' compensation insurance is required for licensees with employees (others file an exemption); LLC licensees also need liability insurance (see the LLC verify note). source
Renewal
2 years (Active licenses renew every two years; inactive licenses every four year). source
Reciprocity
Reciprocity with Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada and North Carolina in classifications on each state's reciprocal list, for contractors licensed in good standing there for the previous five years; the trade exam may be waived but the Law and Business exam is still required. source
Fees
$450 (Original application fee, covering the exam or waiver for one classification). source
$200 (Initial license fee for a sole owner). source
$350 (Initial license fee for a corporation, LLC, partnership or other non-sole owner). source
Exam fee: no separate exam fee is listed; the exam is covered by the $450 original application fee. source
$470 (Active license renewal for a C-10 sole owner, filed on time). source
$720 (Active license renewal for a C-10 non-sole owner, filed on time). source
$150 (Each additional classification on an original license application). source
PlumbingSources checked October 6, 2026
Exam
Two exams: the Law and Business exam plus a trade exam for the class applied for. source
Experience
At least 4 years of journey level, foreman, supervisor, contractor or owner-builder experience in the class applied for; up to 3 years can be credited for training or education. source
Bond
Contractor license bond of $25,000 (or a $25,000 cashier's check filed with CSLB) before the license is issued. source
Insurance
Workers' compensation insurance is required for licensees with employees (others file an exemption); LLC licensees also need liability insurance (see the LLC verify note). source
Renewal
2 years (Active licenses renew every two years; inactive licenses every four year). source
Reciprocity
Reciprocity with Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada and North Carolina in classifications on each state's reciprocal list, for contractors licensed in good standing there for the previous five years; the trade exam may be waived but the Law and Business exam is still required. source
Fees
$450 (Original application fee, covering the exam or waiver for one classification). source
$200 (Initial license fee for a sole owner). source
$350 (Initial license fee for a corporation, LLC, partnership or other non-sole owner). source
Exam fee: no separate exam fee is listed; the exam is covered by the $450 original application fee. source
$450 (Active license renewal for a sole owner, filed on time). source
$700 (Active license renewal for a non-sole owner, filed on time). source
$150 (Each additional classification on an original license application). source
HVACSources checked October 6, 2026
Exam
Two exams: the Law and Business exam plus a trade exam for the class applied for. source
Experience
At least 4 years of journey level, foreman, supervisor, contractor or owner-builder experience in the class applied for; up to 3 years can be credited for training or education. source
Bond
Contractor license bond of $25,000 (or a $25,000 cashier's check filed with CSLB) before the license is issued. source
Insurance
Workers' compensation insurance is required for every active C-20 licensee, whether or not they have employees; LLC licensees also need liability insurance (see the LLC verify note). source
Renewal
2 years (Active licenses renew every two years; inactive licenses every four year). source
Reciprocity
Reciprocity with Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada and North Carolina in classifications on each state's reciprocal list, for contractors licensed in good standing there for the previous five years; the trade exam may be waived but the Law and Business exam is still required. source
Fees
$450 (Original application fee, covering the exam or waiver for one classification). source
$200 (Initial license fee for a sole owner). source
$350 (Initial license fee for a corporation, LLC, partnership or other non-sole owner). source
Exam fee: no separate exam fee is listed; the exam is covered by the $450 original application fee. source
$450 (Active license renewal for a sole owner, filed on time). source
$700 (Active license renewal for a non-sole owner, filed on time). source
$150 (Each additional classification on an original license application). source
RoofingSources checked October 6, 2026
Exam
Two exams: the Law and Business exam plus a trade exam for the class applied for. source
Experience
At least 4 years of journey level, foreman, supervisor, contractor or owner-builder experience in the class applied for; up to 3 years can be credited for training or education. source
Bond
Contractor license bond of $25,000 (or a $25,000 cashier's check filed with CSLB) before the license is issued. source
Insurance
Workers' compensation insurance is required for every active C-39 licensee, whether or not they have employees; LLC licensees also need liability insurance (see the LLC verify note). source
Renewal
2 years (Active licenses renew every two years; inactive licenses every four year). source
Reciprocity
Reciprocity with Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada and North Carolina in classifications on each state's reciprocal list, for contractors licensed in good standing there for the previous five years; the trade exam may be waived but the Law and Business exam is still required. source
Fees
$450 (Original application fee, covering the exam or waiver for one classification). source
$200 (Initial license fee for a sole owner). source
$350 (Initial license fee for a corporation, LLC, partnership or other non-sole owner). source
Exam fee: no separate exam fee is listed; the exam is covered by the $450 original application fee. source
$450 (Active license renewal for a sole owner, filed on time). source
$700 (Active license renewal for a non-sole owner, filed on time). source
$150 (Each additional classification on an original license application). source
Questions
Does California require a contractor license?
Yes, in most cases California requires a state license for general contractors. A CSLB license is required when labor, materials and other costs on the project total $1,000 or more, or the job needs a building permit or uses employee labor. The Contractors State License Board issues it as the A - General Engineering Contractor, B - General Building Contractor or B-2 - Residential Remodeling Contractor credential.
How do I look up a contractor license in California?
The Contractors State License Board keeps the record for general contractors in California. Use the official lookup linked in the Look up a license table, and treat the board's own record as final.
How do I look up an electrician license in California?
The Contractors State License Board keeps the record for electrical contractors in California.
How do I look up a plumbing license in California?
The Contractors State License Board keeps the record for plumbing contractors in California.
Does California have an HVAC license?
The Contractors State License Board keeps the record for HVAC contractors in California.
Do roofers need a license in California?
The Contractors State License Board keeps the record for roofing contractors in California.