How To Get A California Contractors License

In an effort to protect consumers, all businesses and individuals who construct, alter, or offer to construct or alter any business, highway, road, parking facility, railroad, excavation, or other structure in the state of California must get a California Contractor License from the Contractor State License Board (CSLB.)

Short on time? Check out our Contractor’s License FAQ page.

Want to see how much a Contractor License Bond would cost you? Get a FREE Contractor License Bond Quote.

Step #1: Meet Pre-Requirements

18 years of age or older
Have a valid social security number
Have at least 4 years of experience at a journey level
For a full explanation of what qualifies as experience, visit the Experience Requirements Section.

Step #2: Determine your California Contractor License classification

Class A: General Engineering Contractor
Class B: General Building Contractor
Class C: Speciality Contractor (which contains 41 separate licenses)
For a full explanation of class licenses, visit the Contractor License Classification Section.

Step #3: Apply for original exam by completing the following steps

Complete an Application for Original Contractor’s License.** Watch a video on how to do this.
Complete the Certification of Work Experience Form 13A-11
Complete a Project List Form 13A-6A, if applicable
Submit the above with a $330 non-refundable processing fee to the address below:

CSLB Headquarters
Contractors State License Board
P.O. Box 26000
Sacramento, CA 95826-0026

**Do not submit anything else with your application, upon approval you will instructed to submit the rest of the required documents, fees, and bond.**

**Be sure you submit your application on an updated form. CSLB will only accept licenses on the updated 2017 forms.

Step #4: Wait for the CSLB to send you a letter of acknowledgement

This letter will contain two important numbers: an application fee number and a 4-digit PIN number. You can use these two numbers to check the status of your California Contractor License application.

If your California Contractor License application is denied (because of insuffiecient or incomplete) information, you will have the chance to resubmit your application with the missing information included.
If your California Contractor License application is approved, you will receive:
- Fingerprinting Live Scan packet
- Notice to Appear for Examination

Step #5: Complete the fingerprinting scan packet and take examination

**About the examination: There is a written law and business examination and a specific trade examination. Examinations are 3 ½ hours and are multiple choice.**

Worried about a felony conviction? Check out this post on getting a contractor license with a felony.

Step #6: Upon passing the examination, you will be notified of the final items you must submit:

Licensing fee of $200
Proof of Worker’s Compensation Insurance
$15,000 California Contractor License Bond

Step #7: Purchase California Contractor License Bond

Purchase a bond from a licensed surety bond provider.The bond amount is set at $15,000. You will not need to pay the entire bond amount ($15,000) to get your CA Contractor License Bond. Instead, you’ll just pay a small amount based on your credit score.

You might only need to pay $150 for your bond! Get a free quote by visiting our Contractor License Bond Quote page. Or click below.

Get free CA Contractor Bond quotes ($15,000 Bond)

Step #8: Submit

Submit the above items to the CSLB. You should get your CA Contractor License wall certificate and pocket card within one week after your license is issued. CA Contractor Licenses are valid for 2 years.

For further information, visit the CSLB apply for a contractors license page.