California

California contractor licenses: how to get one, how to check one.

California licenses contractors through the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). The rules are stricter than most states, and the penalties for unlicensed work are real.

By PITHE Digital Group ยท Updated October 17, 2026

Do I need a license in California?

You need a CSLB license if a job's labor and materials total $1,000 or more, or if the job needs a building permit at any price. The threshold rose from $500 to $1,000 on January 1, 2025, under AB 2622.

To stay under the minor-work exemption you must meet all of these:

  • The total for the job is under $1,000.
  • No permit is required.
  • You work alone: no helpers or employees, not even for a day.
  • If you advertise, your ad must say you are not licensed.

License classes

Class What it covers
A General engineering (grading, paving, civil work)
B General building, for jobs involving two or more unrelated trades
C Specialty trades, 40+ classes, including C-10 electrical, C-20 HVAC, C-36 plumbing, C-39 roofing

How to get a CSLB license (the short version)

  1. Document four years of experience at journey level or higher within the last ten years, in the class you want.
  2. Apply ($450 application fee, as of 2026 third-party summaries) and get fingerprinted.
  3. Pass the exams: the Law and Business exam plus the trade exam (some states' licensees get the trade exam waived).
  4. Post a $25,000 contractor bond. LLCs need an additional $100,000 bond.
  5. Get insurance and workers' comp. Workers' comp is required for many classes now and for all license holders under a phased law; check CSLB for your class.
  6. Pay the initial license fee. Licenses renew every two years.

Security guard companies

Security guards, patrol operators and private investigators are not CSLB trades. They are licensed by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS): guard cards for individuals, PPO licenses for patrol companies and PI licenses for investigators. You can look them up on the state's BreEZe license search.

House cleaners and other non-construction services

California has no state license for house cleaning. You still need a city or county business license in most places, plus insurance, and workers' comp if you have employees.

How to check a license in California (for customers)

Use CSLB's Check a License. It shows status, classification, bond, workers' comp and any disciplinary actions. Make sure the license class matches your job: a C-39 roofer should not be rewiring your panel.

Next: our 10 checks before you hire.

Common questions

What can I do without a contractor license in California?

Jobs under $1,000 in labor and materials that need no permit, done by yourself with no helpers. Ads must say you are not licensed.

When did the California minor work limit change to $1,000?

January 1, 2025, under AB 2622. It was $500 before.

How much experience do I need for a California contractor license?

Four years of journey-level or higher experience within the past ten years, in the classification you apply for.

How do I check a contractor license in California?

Use the CSLB Check a License tool. It shows status, class, bond, workers comp and discipline.

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