California Contractor License Requirements
2026 guide to everything you need to know about contractor licensing in California.
992,707
Contractors in CA
979,898
Verified licenses
15 yrs
Avg. experience
10
Cities covered
California licensing board
Contractors State License Board (CSLB)
License types in California
General Engineering (A)
Fixed works requiring specialized engineering
General Building (B)
Two or more unrelated building trades
Specialty (C)
43 specialty classifications (C-2 through C-61)
Bond requirements
$25,000
Minimum surety bond
Contractor license bond of $25,000 required; additional $100,000 bond for LLC
Insurance requirements
General liability insurance
Required. Workers comp mandatory if any employees; general liability strongly recommended
Workers' compensation
Required when you have employees.
Penalties for unlicensed work
Misdemeanor; up to $15,000 fine and/or 6 months jail; no right to file mechanic's lien; contracts voidable
How to verify a license in California
1. Use the free verification tool
Search a database of 992,707 contractors in California by name, license number, or business name.
Verify a contractor now2. Check the official state board
Visit the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) for real-time license verification and disciplinary actions.
Visit Contractors State License Board (CSLB)Additional information
California has one of the most comprehensive licensing systems in the US with 43 specialty classifications
Frequently asked questions
Does California require a contractor license?+
Yes, California requires contractors to obtain a state license through the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). 3 license types are available depending on the scope of work.
What are the bond requirements for contractors in California?+
California requires a minimum surety bond of $25,000. Contractor license bond of $25,000 required; additional $100,000 bond for LLC
What are the penalties for unlicensed contracting in California?+
Misdemeanor; up to $15,000 fine and/or 6 months jail; no right to file mechanic's lien; contracts voidable
Is insurance required for contractors in California?+
Yes, California requires contractors to carry insurance. Workers comp mandatory if any employees; general liability strongly recommended
How do I verify a contractor's license in California?+
You can verify a contractor's license through the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) website at https://www.cslb.ca.gov/. You can also use our free license verification tool at vemra.ai/licensing/verify to search our database of 992,707 contractor profiles in California.
How many licensed contractors are there in California?+
Our database includes 992,707 contractor profiles in California, with 979,898 verified license numbers on file. The average contractor in California has 15 years of experience.