California General Contractor License Requirements

Official classification: B General Building Contractor · Issued by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB).

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In California, general contractors must hold the B General Building Contractor, issued by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB), and a $25,000 surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed general contractor in California

Follow these steps to earn your B General Building Contractor. Every figure is verified against the Contractors State License Board (CSLB); full detail for each step is further down the page.

1. Build the required experience. 4 years of journey-level general-building experience within the last 10 years. Up to 3 years may be credited for an approved apprenticeship, technical training or education at an accredited school (reviewed case by case); at least 1 year must be practical experience.
2. Pass the Law & Business and B General Building Trade exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
3. Secure your surety bond. California requires $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.
4. Check the insurance rules. Liability: Not state-mandated for the B classification, but owners and lenders commonly require it. LLC licensees must carry liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 (5 or fewer personnel of record), rising $100,000 per additional member above 5, capped at $5,000,000 (B&P Code §7071.19). Workers' compensation: Required if you have employees; sole owners with none may file a Workers' Compensation Exemption.
5. Clear the background check. Live Scan fingerprints; DOJ ($32) + FBI ($17) criminal background check. Convictions reviewed case-by-case for substantial relation to contractor duties.
6. Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) — $450 (nonrefundable) application fee, plus a $200 (sole owner) / $350 (non-sole owner) license fee. Processing time: Variable; status checkable on the CSLB website.
7. Keep the license active. Renewal: Every 2 years.

For the general path in every state, see the General Contractor guide →

California general contractor license lookup

To confirm a general contractor is properly licensed in California — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

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

What a California general contractor license costs

Exams

Renewing a California general contractor license

The B General Building Contractor renews on a fixed cycle set by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources

cslb.ca.gov/Resources/GuidesAndPublications/GetLicensedToBuild_ENG0525_ADA.pdf
cslb.ca.gov/about_us/library/licensing_classifications/Licensing_Classifications_Detail.aspx?Class=B
cslb.ca.gov/about_us/library/fees.aspx
cslb.ca.gov/contractors/maintain_license/bond_information/bond_requirements.aspx

Other California contractor licenses

General Contractor licensing in other states