How to Get a Contractor License in California

Who Needs a Contractor License

You need a California contractor license for construction work when the project requires a building permit, when you use any employees or additional workers, or when the total cost of labor and materials on one or more contracts for the project is $1,000 or more. A larger job cannot be split into smaller contracts to stay under $1,000.

Licenses can be issued to sole owners, partnerships, corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), joint ventures and tribal businesses. Doing licensed work without a license can lead to fines and criminal charges, so get licensed before you bid.

The Steps to Get Licensed

1. Choose your classification. Pick the license that matches the work you do most, such as Class B General Building or a C specialty license. See all license types.
2. Check your experience. You need four full years of journey level work in that classification within the last ten years. Education and apprenticeship can count for up to three of those years. See license requirements.
3. Decide on a business type. A sole owner license is the simplest. Partnerships, corporations and LLCs have extra rules. See LLC vs corporation vs sole proprietor.
4. Apply to CSLB. Submit the Application for Original Contractor’s License, the Certification of Work Experience and the $450 fee. See how to apply.
5. Get fingerprinted. After CSLB accepts your application, you will receive a Live Scan form. Every person listed on the application is fingerprinted for a background check.
6. Schedule and pass your exams. You schedule the Law and Business exam and your trade exam with PSI. C-61 Limited Specialty applicants take only the Law and Business exam.
7. Meet the issuance requirements. File the $25,000 contractor bond, workers’ compensation insurance or an exemption, the asbestos open book exam and the initial license fee.
8. Receive your license. CSLB mails your wall certificate and pocket card. Display the wall certificate at your main office.

How Much It Costs

CSLB charges a $450 application fee and an initial license fee of $200 for a sole owner or $350 for other business types. Fingerprinting costs $49 plus the Live Scan site’s rolling fee. You will also pay exam fees to PSI, a premium for your contractor bond and, if you have employees, workers’ compensation insurance. See the full cost breakdown.

How Long It Takes

There is no fixed timeline. It depends on CSLB’s current processing times, whether your application is returned for corrections, how fast you complete fingerprinting and how soon you pass your exams. Once your application is accepted, you have 18 months to pass the exams. See how long it takes.

Get Ready for the Exams

Start with our complete CSLB exam preparation guide.

CSLP has prepared California contractors for their CSLB exams since 2013. Our courses include help with your CSLB application, online law and trade books with practice questions and weekly live classes in English and Spanish, from $595. Compare course options.

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