If you are going to work as a contractor in California, you need to have a license from the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). The CSLB is the agency that regulates the contracting industry in California and issues licenses to contractors.
To ensure that your projects are completed correctly and legally in the state of California, you need to have the appropriate license for the work you will be performing. Without the right license, you or your contractor may be liable for legal repercussions.
Read on to learn more about California’s different types of contractor licenses.
What is The CSLB, and What Do They Regulate?
The California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is a 15-member board that regulates contractor licenses, policies, and requirements in California.
This agency also handles complaints against contractors. The agency’s primary goal is to protect the consumer public’s interests by ensuring that anyone charging over $500 per project for construction services is properly licensed and bonded.
To obtain a California CSLB license, contractors must meet several requirements, including passing an exam and completing a criminal background check.
Once licensed, contractors must maintain their licenses by completing continuing education courses and following all California CSLB regulations.
What are the Different Licenses Offered by the CSLB?
When it comes to contractor licenses, the CSLB offers four different types of licenses:
- Class A: General Contracting
- Class B: General Building
- Class B-2: Residential Remodeling
- Class C: Specialty
While the A, B, and B-2 licenses cover general contracting work, the C license covers 45 specialized trades – making it essential to know exactly which trade you will be performing work in before beginning the licensing process.
A: General Contracting License
The General Contracting License, or Class A license, is required for general contracting work. These can include – but are not limited to – construction, alteration, repair, remodeling, or demolition of any building, highway, road, railroad, excavation, or other structure in California.
In general, a Class A contractor is someone who oversees a construction project outside of residential buildings or general building engineering work.
B: General Building License
The General Building License, or Class B license, is required for general building work. This includes buildings that are designed to house or be used by humans, such as office buildings, schools, and hospitals.
It can also cover buildings that are built to house animals, such as barns, and certain types of construction not covered by the Class A license
B-2: Residential Remodeling License
Class B-2 Residential Remodeling Contractors in California must have a California CSLB License. The work done by a B-2 contractor is defined as work in connection with any project to make improvements to, on, or in an existing residential wood-frame structure. Additionally, three building crafts or trades must be involved in the contract.
A typical B-2 project might include such work as an electrical upgrade, a plumbing upgrade, and the installation of new drywall – all governed by different building codes and requiring different levels of experience and expertise.
C: Specialty License
A Class C license is required for specialty contracting work. The CSLB offers 45 different types of Class C licenses, each covering a specific trade or craft.
Class Ci licenses can range from those who install fire extinguishers to those who work with power-operated doors. A Class C license will likely be required if the work requires a particular set of education, certifications, and skills to complete.
Here is a list of the classifications that fall under the Class C license:
- C-2 – Insulation and Acoustical Contractor
- C-4 – Boiler, Hot Water Heating and Steam Fitting Contractor
- C-5 – Framing and Rough Carpentry Contractor
- C-6 – Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry Contractor
- C-7 – Low Voltage Systems Contractor
- C-8 – Concrete Contractor
- C-9 – Drywall Contractor
- C-10 – Electrical Contractor
- C-11 – Elevator Contractor
- C-12 – Earthwork and Paving Contractors
- C-13 – Fencing Contractor
- C-15 – Flooring and Floor Covering Contractors
- C-16 – Fire Protection Contractor
- C-17 – Glazing Contractor
- C-20 – Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor
- C-21 – Building Moving/Demolition Contractor
- C-22 – Asbestos Abatement Contractor
- C-23 – Ornamental Metal Contractor
- C-27 – Landscaping Contractor
- C-28 – Lock and Security Equipment Contractor
- C-29 – Masonry Contractor
- C-31 – Construction Zone Traffic Control Contractor
- C-32 – Parking and Highway Improvement Contractor
- C-33 – Painting and Decorating Contractor
- C-34 – Pipeline Contractor
- C-35 – Lathing and Plastering Contractor
- C-36 – Plumbing Contractor
- C-38 – Refrigeration Contractor
- C-39 – Roofing Contractor
- C-42 – Sanitation System Contractor
- C-43 – Sheet Metal Contractor
- C-45 – Sign Contractor
- C-46 – Solar Contractor
- C-47 – General Manufactured Housing Contractor
- C-50 – Reinforcing Steel Contractor
- C-51 – Structural Steel Contractor
- C-53 – Swimming Pool Contractor
- C-54 – Ceramic and Mosaic Tile Contractor
- C-55 – Water Conditioning Contractor
- C-57 – Well Drilling Contractor
- C-60 – Welding Contractor
- C-61 – Limited Specialty
What is the CSLB Licensing Process?
To receive the proper license classification, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Have the necessary skills and experience
- 4 years of experience as a journeyman, foreman, supervising employee, or contractor in the classification
Once you ensure that you have met the basic requirements, you will need to determine which license type you fall into (see above.) With that in hand, you will then file the necessary licensure application through the CSLB.
The CSLB will notify you of your application being received and will inform you of the date and location of your applicable licensure test.
Applicants must pass the examination before being issued a license. The trade examination covers questions specific to your classification and tests your knowledge of business and law related to the construction industry.
Once you pass the exam and complete any final paperwork, you will receive your California contractor’s license. You must also ensure that you are bonded to work in the state of California as a contractor.
Work with Confidence in California
Knowing which license classification you need is critical to working as a contractor in California. Be sure that you are fully aware of the requirements for your specific trade before beginning any contracting job in the state.
If you have any questions about the licensing process or the requirements for your classification, visit Contractors License Guru. As the leading resource for contracting licensing, we are here to help you every step of the way.
Hello. I saw the conversation about fencing. I tried to call CSLB and all menu options took me to automated recordings (so if you have a number where a live person could help that would be great!).
Here is my question. I would like to purchase / own a fencing company. I do not have a contractors license. So I have a two part question:
1. Would it be correct that I can own such a business so long as I hire a W2 manager with the correct license?
2. Assuming #1 is correct, I’m trying to figure out if I MUST hire a C13 or if I can hire a B – General to be my manager. The scenario would be that I would own the company, by B-General would coordinate with all other subs who would be building the fences. (Your answer the guy above was that a B license would be ok if the fencing contract involved two unrelated trades. Given I’m not experienced in construction I’m not sure of this answer. E.g. is pouring the concrete for the fencepost and putting up the fence “two different trades”?).
Do you think I can move forward safely with this plan? Or do I need to specifically find a person with a C13 to run my company?
Again – do you know of any way to reach a live person at CSLB to get an an official answer?
Thank you very much!
Hello,
1) Yes, you can hire someone to be the qualifier on the license for you.
2) If your contracts will be specifically for fencing, then you will need the C-13.
Does pouring concrete around a fence post considered an unrelated trade? Not really. It’s part of the scope of work required for the C-13. When it comes to the B, unrelated trades are i.e. electrical and plumbing, painting and fencing, drywall and electrical.
Thanks!! Great help and info!
Does a GC license cover the need for a c-13 license in CA?
Hello,
A B-Gen license can do fencing.
A general building contractor may take a prime contract or a subcontract for a framing or carpentry project. However, a general building contractor shall not take a prime contract for any project involving trades other than framing or carpentry unless the prime contract requires at least two unrelated building trades or crafts other than framing or carpentry, or unless the general building contractor holds the appropriate license classification or subcontracts with an appropriately licensed specialty contractor to perform the work. A general building contractor shall not take a subcontract involving trades other than framing or carpentry, unless the subcontract requires at least two unrelated trades or crafts other than framing or carpentry, or unless the general building contractor holds the appropriate license classification. The general building contractor may not count framing or carpentry in calculating the two unrelated trades necessary in order for the general building contractor to be able to take a prime contract or subcontract for a project involving other trades.
Understood. So from reading this, if fencing is the only project, a B – General Building License will suffice? What if they hold an A – General Contracting License?
As long as the fencing contract includes at least two unrelated trades, then the B is good. An A-Eng contactor would not be building fences, specifically.
To whom it may concern,
Hello
What if I want to have a license of stair rail?
Could you tell me which number it would be?
Thank you for your help.
Ada
It could either be the D-24 or D-34. Send your question with a little more detail to classifications@cslb.ca.gov and they’ll be able to tell you. CSLB is closed tomorrow.