How do I become a licensed contractor?

📝 application

All contractors in the state of California must be licensed by the California Department of Consumer Affairs Contractors State License Board (CSLB). The CSLB reviews applications, administers exams, and renews licenses for all general and specialized contractors.

✔️ Minimum requirements

There are no specific education requirements involved in procuring your Contractor's License, but you must be:

• At least 18 years old
• Have a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number and
• Be able to demonstrate 4 years of experience at the level of:
  • Journeyman
  • Foreman
  • Supervisor
  • Owner-builder

The experience requirement must be documented by a qualified individual, such as a former employer, homeowner, or other journeyman.

👍 Verify your work experience

As part of your application to become a Licensed Contractor in California, you will need to have your previous work experience certified by a "qualified and responsible person," including your employer, supervisor, fellow employee, etc. The work must be journey-level work, meaning you completed an apprenticeship and are considered qualified and able to perform a specific trade without supervision.

You must submit your certification of work experience with your "Application for Original Contractor License." There are 3 ways to complete this form:

• Easy-Fill:  Fill out the form online, then print and mail it to CSLB with the appropriate fee.
• PDF:  Print a blank form, then fill it out and mail it to CSLB with the appropriate fee.
• Order:  Receive a blank form by mail, then fill it out and mail it to CSLB with the appropriate fee.

📬 Submit application for original contractor license

There are currently 3 ways to complete this form:

• Easy-Fill: Fill out the form on your computer, then print and mail it to the CSLB with the appropriate fee.
• PDF: Print a blank form, then fill it out and mail it to the CSLB with the appropriate fee.
• Order: Receive a blank form by mail, then fill it out and mail it to CSLB with the appropriate fee.

Once you submit your application, and pay the initial application fee, you will receive a letter of acknowledgment from the CSLB that contains a nine-digit application fee number and a four-digit personal identification number (PIN) that you may use to check on the status of your application on the CSLB website.

✋ Fingerprinting and background checks

Under California state law, all applicants or a contractor license are required to submit fingerprints for a background check.

After your application has been accepted (or "posted") by CSLB, each individual listed on the application who needs to be electronically fingerprinted at a Live Scan location. To submit your fingerprints for the background check, you must:

• Complete the CSLB's Request for Live Scan Service form (mailed to you after acceptance)
• Go to the Live Scan location with the completed form from above and a driver's license (or other identification).
• Ensure the Live Scan technician enters your name in the system exactly as it is on file with the CSLB.
• Ensure the Live Scan technician enters your social security number correctly in the system (if applicable)

Back to Top

---

🏆 Contractor's License Examination

📅 Schedule your contractor's license examination 

Once your application has been approved and referred for testing, the Notice to Schedule for Examination will be mailed to you with detailed information regarding the self-scheduling of your exam through PSI Exams. You can sign up for your exam appointment online or by telephone at (877) 392-6422.

🖥️ Exam format

• Participants are given 3.5 hours to complete each exam
• Exams are taken on a computer and consist of multiple-choice questions
• You must provide one of the following valid, non-expired, forms of government-issued identification before you may sit for the exam:
  • U.S.-issued Driver's License (any state)
  • U.S. state-issued Identification card (any state)
  • Government-issued passport (booklet or card)
  • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Resident Alien Card
  • U.S. military identification
  • U.S.-issued Employment Authorization Card

📚 Prepare for the exam

The Contractor's License Examination has 2 parts:

1. Law and Business exam
2. Trade/certification-specific exam

There are many resources available to help you study for each part of the exam:

• CLSB study guides
• California Contractors License Law & Reference Book
• North Coast Builders Exchange classes

🍎 After the exam

Upon successful completion of the examination, applicants must submit the following, plus any additional information or documentation requested by CSLB.

• $200-350 initial license fee
• Submit a Contractor's Bond or cash deposit in the amount of $25,000
• Submit proof of Worker's Compensation insurance. If you have no employees, you will be allowed to submit an exemption certificate.
  • This exemption is not available for the following classifications:
    • C-8 Concrete
    • C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning
    • C-22 Asbestos Abatement
    • C-39 Roofing
    • C-61/D-49 Tree Service

Back to Top