California General Contractor License Requirements
Official classification: B General Building Contractor · Issued by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB).
🏗️ General ContractorCA ✔ Verified 2026-06-16
License types
- B General Building Contractor — Statewide license for structures built for the support, shelter and enclosure of people or property that require at least two unrelated building trades. On non-framing work a B contractor must either contract for two or more unrelated trades or hold/subcontract the appropriate specialty licenses (Fire Protection C-16 and Well Drilling C-57 must be subcontracted or specialty-licensed).
Requirements at a glance
| Experience required | 4 years of journey-level general-building experience within the last 10 years. Up to 3 years may be credited for approved apprenticeship, technical training or a relevant 4-year degree; at least 1 year must be practical experience. |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $450 (nonrefundable) |
| License fee | $200 (sole owner) / $350 (non-sole owner) |
| Renewal fee | $450 (sole owner) / $700 (non-sole owner) |
| Renewal period | Every 2 years |
| Continuing education | None required |
| Bond required | $25,000 contractor bond (since Jan 1, 2023). Additional $25,000 Bond of Qualifying Individual if qualified by an RME or by an RMO who owns less than 10% of the company. |
| Liability insurance | Not state-mandated for the B classification, but owners and lenders commonly require it. LLC licensees must carry $1M+ liability coverage under separate LLC rules. |
| Property damage | — |
| Workers' comp | Required if you have employees; sole owners with none may file a Workers' Compensation Exemption. |
| Background check | Live Scan fingerprints; DOJ ($32) + FBI ($17) criminal background check. Convictions reviewed case-by-case for substantial relation to contractor duties. |
| Credit requirement | None |
| Reciprocity | Arizona (trade exam may be waived); Nevada; Louisiana; North Carolina |
| Processing time | Variable; status checkable on the CSLB website |
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Exams
| Law & Business | Provider: PSI (for CSLB) Passing: Not publicly disclosed by CSLB (candidates are notified at the test site) Fee: Included in application |
| B General Building Trade | Provider: PSI (for CSLB) Passing: Not publicly disclosed by CSLB (candidates are notified at the test site) Fee: Included in application |
🛡️ General Contractor liability & workers' comp insurance —
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Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-16 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) before applying. This is not legal advice.
Official sources
https://www.cslb.ca.gov/about_us/library/licensing_classifications/Licensing_Classifications_Detail.aspx?Class=B
https://www.cslb.ca.gov/about_us/library/fees.aspx
https://www.cslb.ca.gov/contractors/maintain_license/bond_information/bond_requirements.aspx