How to Get a Contractor License in California: CSLB Classes, Exams, Fees and Bonds
By BRIX Editorial Team · Updated
California's Contractors State License Board (CSLB) licenses every contractor on jobs of $1,000 or more, or any job that needs a permit or uses employees. You pick a classification, such as B General Building or a C specialty, prove four years of experience in it, pass the Law and Business and trade exams at PSI, and post a $25,000 bond.
Key takeaways
- One board, CSLB, licenses general and specialty contractors. There are 4 main categories (A, B, B-2, C) and 43 C specialties.
- The minor work exemption is under $1,000, and only if the job needs no permit and you hire no one.
- Every classification needs a qualifying individual with four years of journey-level or higher experience in that classification.
- Exams: Law and Business plus one trade exam per classification, 3½ hours each at PSI, within 18 months of acceptance.
- Costs: $450 application, $200–$350 initial license, $25,000 contractor bond, then $450–$700 every two years.
When do you need a contractor license in California?
Almost always. Since January 1, 2025, you can skip a license only when the combined labor, materials and other costs are under $1,000, the work needs no building permit, and you use no employee labor. Splitting a bigger job into smaller contracts to stay under the line isn't allowed (CSLB; CSLB bulletin). Unlicensed people may advertise for this minor work only if the ad says they're not licensed.
Which California contractor license do you need?
CSLB lists four main categories: A General Engineering, B General Building, B-2 Residential Remodeling and C Specialty, with 43 specialty subclasses from C-2 to C-61 (CSLB classifications). You can add as many classifications as you can qualify for (CSLB).
| Classification | What it covers | Key limit |
|---|---|---|
| B General Building | Structures for the "support, shelter, and enclosure" of people, animals or property (CSLB) | Prime contracts must involve at least two unrelated trades other than framing or carpentry, or the specialty work must be subcontracted (CSLB) |
| B-2 Residential Remodeling | Improving existing residential wood-frame structures, with three or more unrelated trades per contract (CSLB) | "Shall not contract to make structural changes to load bearing portions" of a structure (CSLB) |
| C-10 Electrical | Electrical work; see California electrician licensing | Workers need DIR electrician certification |
| C-20 HVAC | Warm-air heating, ventilation, air conditioning, heat pumps; see California HVAC licensing | No workers' comp exemption allowed (CSLB) |
| C-36 Plumbing | Water, waste, gas piping and water heaters; see California plumbing licensing | Forced warm-air units belong to C-20 |
What are the requirements for a California contractor license?
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | 18 or older (CSLB) |
| Qualifying individual | Required for every classification; may be the owner, a partner, an officer (RMO) or an employee (RME) (CSLB) |
| Experience | 4 years in the classification; up to 3 years of credit for technical training, at least 1 year practical (CSLB) |
| Exams | Law and Business + trade, PSI, 3½ hours each, 18 months to pass (CSLB exam FAQ) |
| Application fee | $450 for one classification; $150 each additional with the original application (CSLB fees) |
| Adding a classification later | $230 (CSLB fees) |
| Initial license | $200 sole owner, $350 non-sole owner, covers two years (CSLB) |
| Active renewal (every 2 years) | $450 sole owner, $700 non-sole owner; C-10 pays $20 more (CSLB fees) |
| Late (delinquent) renewal | $675 sole owner, $1,050 non-sole owner (CSLB fees) |
| Bonds | $25,000 contractor bond (or cashier's check); $25,000 bond of qualifying individual when an RME or RMO qualifies (CSLB) |
How do you get a California contractor license, step by step?
- 1
Pick your business structure and qualifier
A license is issued to the sole owner, partnership, corporation or LLC, not to the job. Each classification needs a qualifying individual responsible for construction operations. An RME can qualify only one active license at a time (CSLB).
- 2
Document four years in the classification
The qualifier needs four years of experience at journey level or as a foreman, supervisor, contractor or owner-builder. Training can credit up to three years; one year must be hands-on (CSLB).
- 3
Apply and pay $450
Add $150 for each extra classification on the same original application (CSLB fees). CSLB then sends a Notice to Schedule.
- 4
Pass both exams at PSI
Every applicant takes Law and Business plus the trade exam for each classification. Each exam is 3½ hours, multiple choice on a computer. Fail one and you can retake it after 21 calendar days, as long as you're inside the 18-month window (CSLB exam FAQ).
- 5
Post bonds, file workers' comp, pay the license fee
Post the $25,000 contractor bond, file workers' comp or an exemption (C-8, C-20, C-22, C-39 and C-61/D-49 can't file one, and neither can an RME-qualified license), and pay $200 or $350 (CSLB). Your wall certificate and pocket card arrive about a week after issuance.
Can you use a contractor license from another state?
Not directly, but five states have reciprocity with CSLB: Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada and North Carolina. CSLB "may waive the trade portion of the exam," but you still take California's Law and Business exam (CSLB reciprocity). Louisiana, Mississippi and North Carolina map mainly to the B classification; Arizona and Nevada also map specialty trades.
Running your contracting business once you're licensed
- Renewal calendar: licenses renew every two years. Missing the date turns a $450 renewal into $675 for a sole owner.
- Taxes: sales and use tax on materials, and how your entity files, are covered in California contractor taxes and licensing.
- Business setup: startup costs, pricing and your first customers are in our start a business guides.
- Background: what contractor licenses are and why they matter is in contractor license basics.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a contractor license in California for small jobs?
Only jobs under $1,000 in combined labor and materials are exempt, and only if they need no building permit and you use no employees. That limit rose from $500 on January 1, 2025. Splitting a larger job into smaller contracts to stay under it is illegal.
How long does it take to get a contractor license in California?
The qualifier needs four years of experience in the classification, with up to three years creditable for training. After CSLB accepts the application you have 18 months to pass the Law and Business and trade exams.
How much does a California contractor license cost?
CSLB charges $450 to apply for one classification, then $200 (sole owner) or $350 (other entities) for the initial two-year license. You also need a $25,000 contractor bond. Active renewals are $450 or $700 every two years.
What is the difference between a B and a B-2 license?
A B General Building contractor can build or alter structures and take prime contracts involving two or more unrelated trades. A B-2 Residential Remodeling contractor works on existing residential wood-frame structures, needs three or more unrelated trades per contract, and can't make structural changes to load-bearing parts.
Does California have reciprocity for contractor licenses?
CSLB has reciprocity with Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada and North Carolina. It may waive the trade exam for qualifying classifications, but applicants still take California's Law and Business exam.
Who can be the qualifier on a California contractor license?
The owner of a sole proprietorship, a general partner, a listed corporate or LLC officer (an RMO), or a Responsible Managing Employee. Every classification on the license needs a qualifying individual, and an RME can qualify only one active license at a time.
Related
- How to Become a Certified Electrician in California: DIR Certification and the C-10 LicenseCalifornia electrician certification (DIR) and C-10 contractor license (CSLB): hours by category, exam fees, 32-hour CE renewal and bonds, with sources.
- How to Get an HVAC License in California: The CSLB C-20 Contractor LicenseCalifornia HVAC licensing: the CSLB C-20 contractor license, experience, closed-book exam, fees, mandatory workers' comp, heat pump rules and EPA 608.
- How to Get a Plumbing License in California: Journey-Level Work and the C-36 LicenseCalifornia plumbing licensing: why journeymen don't hold a state license, the CSLB C-36 contractor license, four-year experience rule, exam, fees and bond.
- California Contractor Taxes and Licensing GuideCalifornia contractors pay tax on materials, charge it on fixtures, and skip it on labor. CSLB license rules, the $800 FTB tax and comp, with sources.
- What Is a Contractor License?What a contractor license is, when you need one, and how six states set dollar thresholds, bonds and insurance, with links to each licensing board.
- General Contractor Software That Runs the Office While You Run the JobGeneral contractor software that answers remodel inquiries, follows up bids, invoices draws and change orders, tracks 1099 subs and syncs QuickBooks.
- AI Answering Service for General Contractors and RemodelersAn AI answering service for general contractors: qualifies remodel inquiries by scope, budget and timeline, books walkthroughs and handles calls 24/7.
- QuickBooks and Bookkeeping for General ContractorsSet up QuickBooks for a general contractor: job costing, progress billing, retainage, change orders, sub 1099s and WIP, plus what BRIX automates.
- General Contractor Sales: Following Up and Winning More BidsHow general contractors win more remodel bids: qualify early, follow up for weeks, sell the process not the price, and get referrals. What BRIX automates.
- AI Receptionist & CRM for General Contractors in Rochester, NYRochester remodelers work pre-1950 houses full of surprises. Capture every lead, follow up on bids, track change orders and keep project books clean.
Sources
- CSLB — Licensing classifications (checked October 24, 2026)
- CSLB — B General Building classification (checked October 24, 2026)
- CSLB — B-2 Residential Remodeling classification (checked October 24, 2026)
- CSLB — Before applying for the examination (checked October 24, 2026)
- CSLB — Qualifying experience for the examination (checked October 24, 2026)
- CSLB — List of all fees (checked October 24, 2026)
- CSLB — Examinations FAQ (checked October 24, 2026)
- CSLB — Issuing my license (bonds, workers' comp) (checked October 24, 2026)
- CSLB — Reciprocal classifications list (checked October 24, 2026)
- CSLB — Minor work exemption rises to $1,000 (AB 2622) (checked October 24, 2026)
Change log
- : Page published. Classifications, minor work exemption, qualifier rules, experience, exams, fees, bonds and reciprocity verified against CSLB.