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General Contractor License Requirements in California

Issued by: California Contractors State License Board (CSLB)Verified: April 2026
License Required
Required
Application Fee
450.0
Renewal
2 years
Exam Required
Yes
Bond Required
Yes

Requirements

  1. 1Be 18 years of age or older
  2. 2Have at least 4 years of journeyman-level experience in the classification applied for within the past 10 years
  3. 3Pass the CSLB contractor's law exam
  4. 4Pass the CSLB trade exam for your classification
  5. 5Obtain a contractor's license bond
  6. 6Submit fingerprints (Live Scan) for DOJ/FBI background check
  7. 7Pay the original application fee ($450) and initial license fee ($200 sole owner)

How to Apply

General contractors in California must be licensed by the CSLB. Applicants must have at least 4 years of journeyman-level experience in the trade in the past 10 years, pass both a law exam and a trade exam, obtain a contractor bond, and submit fingerprints for a background check.
Apply at California Contractors State License Board (CSLB)

Costs

Application Fee
450.0
Renewal Fee
450.0
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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a general contractor license in California?
Yes. Anyone who contracts for construction work valued at $500 or more (including labor and materials) must hold a valid CSLB license. Working without a license is a misdemeanor.
What are the experience requirements for a California contractor license?
You must have at least 4 years of journeyman-level experience in the trade you're applying for, earned within the past 10 years.
What exams must I pass for a California contractor license?
You must pass two exams: a law and business exam and a trade exam specific to your license classification (e.g., B-General Building, C-10 Electrical, etc.).
How much does a California contractor license cost?
The original application fee is $450 for one classification. The initial license fee for a sole owner is $200, making the total $650. Renewal for a sole owner is $450 every 2 years.
How do I apply for a California contractor license?
Submit the Application for Original Contractors License to CSLB, include required experience documentation, pay the application fee, pass both exams, and then pay the license fee. Applications are available at cslb.ca.gov.

Related pages

General Contractor in other states
Other licenses in California
Data sourced from official state government portal. Last verified April 2026.
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