Licensing Guides

State Contractor License: How to Become a General Contractor in California

category-iconContractor, CA

Table of Contents

Why Do You Need a Contractor License in California?

How Can You Get a Contractor License in California?

Types of Roofing Licenses in California

What Are the Requirements of a California Contractor License?

How Long Does It Take to Get a Contractor License in California?

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Contractor License in California?

California Contractor License Training Programs and Schools

Does California Reciprocate Contractor Licenses?

Do I Need to Renew my Contractor License in California

Are There Any Penalties for Contracting Without a License in California

National Certifications

Continuing Education


We all need a place to live and work and those buildings require upkeep and repair. They are often the biggest investments we make in our lives and keeping them in good condition is essential. We count on professionals to know how to fix damage to or wear and tear on our homes and businesses. General contractors are typically the experts we rely on to help us with these repairs, and we need these men and women to know what they’re doing.

Many states require contractors to be licensed. Others simply require solid insurance to back up the essential work they perform. California has the second most construction laborers and managers of any state in the nation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). There are 520,900 construction managers and 1,599,800 construction laborers and helpers nationwide according to the BLS. California employs 36,950 managers and 89,950 laborers and helpers. The national number for managers is projected to grow 9% from 2023 to 2033 and 8% for laborers and helpers. In California, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, the projected growth rate for laborers is double the national number at 16% and for managers it’s slightly higher at 11%.  If you’re thinking about becoming a contractor or you want a job in the field, you need to know the requirements in your state or local jurisdiction. This guide will help you determine what you need before you get started. 

Why Do You Need a Contractor License in California? 

A contractor license is necessary to perform most work legally in the state of California. Specifically, you need a contractor license to do work valuing more than $500 in labor and materials. The law requires that you be a licensed contractor or be working under a licensed contractor to do any projects of that value or more including initial construction projects or service or replacement/renovations to existing structures. The California Contractors State License Board issues the licenses.

How Can You Get a Contractor License in California?

There is a process for getting your license. It is all spelled out on the state website. The process for each classification is roughly the same. 

You must be at least 18 years of age. You must have either a Social Security number or an individual taxpayer identification number. 

You need to demonstrate at least four years of experience, in the class you are applying for, to qualify to take the examination and  complete the experience certification portion of the application. Credit for experience is given only for experience at a journey level or as a foreman, supervising employee, contractor, or owner-builder

According to the state website, “All experience claims must be verified by a qualified and responsible person such as an employer, contractor, foreman/supervisor, fellow employee, other journeyman, union representative, building inspector, architect, engineer, or homeowner.” Part of that experience— up to three years— may be from a college or vocational training program. At least one year must be practical experience. 

One way to get the experience you need is through an apprenticeship program. California’s Department of Industrial Relations has resources online to help you find an apprenticeship program near you through a local union or Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JACT). Applicants will need to apply for an Original Contractors License, take and pass all parts of the licensing examinations, pay all fees, and pass a criminal background check, including fingerprinting. 

Finally, you will need to file evidence of workers' compensation insurance or an exemption from the requirements and secure a contractor’s surety bond. 

Types of Roofing Licenses in California

There are three classifications for General Contractors in California and 42 Specialty Classifications. 

Class A - General Engineering Contractor

Class B - General Building Contractor

Class B-2 Residential Remodeling Contractor

Class C -Specialty Contractor

The Class A General Engineering Contractor license is reserved for contractors who principally work on public works projects like highways, bridges, harbors or docks or industrial projects like refineries, chemical plants and power plants.

The  Class B General Building Contractor license allows the holder to legally perform commercial or residential contracting work whether that be initial construction,  service or replacement to properties.   

The  Class B-2 Residential Remodeling Contractor license is more restrictive. It is generally for home improvement projects—repairs or improvements to existing residential wood structures.

The Class C Specialty Contractor licenses cover such trades as HVAC, plumbing, and electrical and other construction work requiring special skill .

Getting a general contractor license

The bottom line is that you need to be licensed to do any kind of initial residential or commercial construction, repair, or maintenance valuing more than $500 in the state of California. Here’s how you go about getting licensed.

APPLY FOR LICENSE: Once you’ve fulfilled the work experience requirements, you may apply for a Contractors License. You are essentially applying to sit for the exam. There are currently three ways to complete this form:

  • Easy-Fill: Fill out the form online, then print and mail it to CSLB.

  • PDF: Print a blank form, then fill it out and mail it to CSLB. 

  • Order: Receive a blank form by mail, then fill it out and mail it to CSLB.

Your full business name must be provided on this form. The legal business name will appear on the license and is the actual name under which the contracting business will operate.

PAY APPLICATION PROCESSING FEE: The fee for the Original Application (exam for one classification) is $450. In addition, there is an initial license fee. For sole owners that fee is $200 and for non-sole owners it is $350. So, the total you will pay as a sole owner is $650 and as a non-sole owner it’s $800.  You must submit this payment and all required documents along with your license application, mailed to CLSB Headquarters in Sacramento. You can find the step-by-step guide here along with the mailing address for where to send all of the forms.

TAKE LICENSING EXAM: The testing will consist of both a trade examination as well as a Law & Business examination. There are tips for “Studying for the Examination” on the website. After passing the licensing examination, all new applicants must also complete the asbestos open-book examination if it has not been done previously after taking and passing the Trade exam and Law and Business Exam. The purpose of the guide and the examination is to make contractors aware of the risks of dealing with asbestos and to provide the knowledge base necessary to respond appropriately to construction industry situations where asbestos is or may be present. The booklet contains general information about asbestos abatement standards. The examination and verification form must be completed and submitted to the CSLB prior to licensure.

COMPLETE CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK: All applicants must complete a criminal background check and disclose any criminal pleas or convictions. You must also submit to fingerprinting in accordance with California law. If you have ever been convicted of a crime, including DUI or other Vehicle Code violations, the CSLB will be informed. This does not mean you’ll automatically be denied licensure—the CSLB reviews each application and considers factors such as the nature and severity of the crimes, the amount of time that has passed since the convictions, and any evidence of rehabilitation submitted by the applicant.

PROVIDE PROOF OF INSURANCE: All applicants must file evidence of workers' compensation insurance or exemption from the requirements. The Certificate of Workers' Compensation Insurance is provided by the workers' compensation insurer.

PROVIDE PROOF OF CONTRACTOR BOND: A contractor license bond of $25,000 is required for a license to be issued or renewed. The bond is filed for the benefit of consumers who may have sustained damage as a result of defective construction or other license violations, and for the benefit of employees who have not been paid wages that are due to them. The bond must be written on a form approved by CSLB, by a surety company licensed and authorized to write surety bonds through the California Department of Insurance. According to the CSLB website, only authorized surety companies may order the approved Contractor's Bond form.

The CSLB offers a free workshop on the first Friday of every month on how to get your contractor license.

Getting a residential or specialty license

To apply for the Residential Remodeling Class B-2 Contractor license you will follow the steps above.  A residential remodeling contractor is forbidden from undertaking a project that requires “structural changes to load bearing portions of an existing structure, including, but not limited to, footings, foundations, load bearing walls, partitions, and roof structures,” according to the CSLB and is also not permitted to “install, replace, substantially alter, or extend electrical, mechanical, or plumbing systems”  unless the residential remodeling contractor holds the appropriate specialty  license classification or subcontracts with an appropriately licensed specialty  contractor.

There are 42 separate “C” license classifications. These are specialty contractor licenses in specific trades including heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), plumbing, electrical, carpentry, drywall, and landscaping that would supplement a general contractor’s knowledge and allow him/her to bid on projects that require those license classifications without having to hire an appropriately licensed specialty contractor as a subcontractorThere is no distinction made between a commercial vs residential license  or construction versus maintenance license for the specialty contractor classifications. You just need to be licensed in the correct specialty to do that work. However, there are typically additional regulations, such as building codes or permit requirements for commercial construction that differ from residential rules.

To get one of these specialty licenses, you will follow the same process as above. The fees would remain the same. You can add any classification to an existing license as long as you have qualifying experience and pass the applicable examination. 

There is a complete guide online that answers all of the questions about this process.

You can also consult our guides to getting your HVAC license, plumbing license, or electrical license in California.

What Are the Requirements of a California Contractor License? 

The requirements for licensure as a contractor in California are all intended to demonstrate that an individual who will be serving the public is properly prepared to do the job right. To that end there are age, knowledge/experience, and financial prerequisites.

  • You must be at least 18 years of age.

  • You must have either a Social Security number or an individual taxpayer identification number.

  • Get work experience under the supervision of a licensed contractor or four years documented journeyman experience on jobs valuing $500 or less.

  • Apply for Original Contractor License.

  • Provide documentation of four years journeyman-level experience or equivalent college or vocational training program with at least one year being practical experience.

  • Take and pass all parts of the licensing examinations.

  • Pay all fees.

  • Pass criminal background check, including fingerprinting.

  • File evidence of workers' compensation insurance or an exemption from the requirements.

  • Secure contractor’s surety bond. 

How Long Does It Take to Get a Contractor License in California?

It will take a minimum of four years to qualify to take the Original Contractor License Exam in California. However, you will be working and accumulating the necessary journeyman-level experience—and can be earning money—the whole time. 

The processing times for applications vary. Each week CSLB updates information on its website about the application date staff are currently processing, which will give you a good idea of when your application will likely be processed. There is a randomly selected percentage of applications that undergo additional investigation of work experience claims. If your application is selected for further review, it will take a little longer than usual. You can use your PIN and application fee number to check the status of your application. Using just the application fee number will provide the basics of your application, using the application fee number with the PIN will provide you more details about your status.

What Business Owners Need to Know

Being efficient in the contracting world, no matter where you are in your licensing journey, takes work. ServiceTitan’s cloud-based, all-in-one contracting software gives workers and business owners in residential field service, commercial contracting, or new construction, the technology they need to do the work efficiently, and the data they need to do it effectively.  

ServiceTitan features:

  • SMS communications that keep customers informed about the technician’s visit.

  • Location-specific service history, including recorded calls, accessible from the mobile app.

  • Required forms that ensure every job is done right, driving consistency.

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How Much Does It Cost to Get a Contractor License in California?

The application fee for an Original California Contractors License is $450. Once you have passed the exam, you will need to pay an additional $200 for the Initial License Fee for a sole owner or $350 for a non-sole owner. In addition, there is a cost for the fingerprinting scan. Those fees vary by site. To renew a license on or before the expiration date is $450. For a list of all fees, click here.

California Contractor License Training Programs and Schools

There are no specific educational or course requirements to get a California contractor license. However, there are training programs throughout the state that can help you prepare for a career in construction. On the CSLB website it says the board “may grant credit toward the work experience requirement for a completed apprenticeship program, or technical training or completed education at an accredited school. You will need to provide written documentation, including copies of apprenticeship completion certificates and official transcripts with the application.” 

If you choose to start your career path at a college or university, you can pursue a degree in construction management or construction engineering. There are many higher education options throughout the Golden State that offer these types of programs. Each of the following schools offers a Construction Management Bachelor of Science degree. 

There are also many California Community Colleges throughout the state that offer Construction Management programs and Associate degree and certificate options. 

If you don’t attend any formal schooling or training, but rather learn on-the-job, you may want to consider taking a course through a contractors license school to prepare for the trade exam and the law and business exam. According to its website, Contractors State License Services (CSLS) is the largest school in California devoted to the Construction profession. They have 25 locations throughout the state and offer home study and online contractor’s license programs.

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Does California Reciprocate Contractor Licenses?

Yes! California has reciprocity agreements with Arizona, Louisiana, and Nevada. Under certain conditions, if you have a license in good standing from one of these states, the CSLB registrar may waive the written trade exam, but applicants must still take and pass the CSLB law and business exam and demonstrate relevant work experience. The CSLB evaluates requests for reciprocity on a case-by-case basis.

Do I Need to Renew my Contractor License in California? 

To keep your state-issued active license current, California requires you to renew it before it expires every two years. You can renew online using your license number. The fee for an active timely renewal is $450. There is a $225 additional fee for a late renewal. The Department of Consumer Affairs Contractors State License Board issues and renews all licenses in the state.  

Are There Any Penalties for Contracting Without a License in California?

Yes! There are fines, misdemeanor charges, and even possible jail time for contracting for a construction project valued at $500 or more without a license. According to the state website, “Unlicensed contractors face a first offense sentence of up to six months in jail, and/or a $5,000 fine, and potential administrative fines of $200 to $15,000. Subsequent violations can result in increased criminal penalties and fines. In addition, you may face felony charges if you contract without a license when one is required in a state or federally declared disaster area.”

National Certifications

Other certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers and clients. There are many professional organizations that offer certification. These certifications are not required but can add to your marketability and therefore increase your opportunity to make more money. 

Some of the top construction certifications are:

Continuing Education

Though California does not require continuing education to renew your license, you will want to stay informed about emerging technology in the industry. There are many ways to keep yourself current in regard to the technology put to use in construction, roofing, energy and environmental designs, efficiency standards and more. For example, distributors want you to know about their company’s latest offerings and will often hold training sessions about new and changing equipment and parts. Another option is the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) which provides continuing education courses 

Resources

You can stay up to date on contracting industry news several ways:

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