California general contractor license & renewal
The requirements, the timing and the official sources. Everything we’ve verified, in one place.
License fee
$200.00
Required hours
—
Not verified yet
Exam
Pass the required trade and/or business-and-law examination; an asbestos open-book exam is also required for issuance.
Renewal
Renewal fee of $450 for a sole owner license will be due every two years after licensure.
Before you begin
Agency guidance
Fees shown are for a sole-owner license; the application page also specifies a 2.3% online credit-card fee.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Non-refundable application fee of $450 due as well as a 2.3% fee added by the credit card company when this form is submitted online.Official source
Agency guidance
B General Building covers structures requiring at least two unrelated building trades or crafts. Framing/carpentry may be contracted alone; other prime projects require two other unrelated trades or the appropriate specialty license/subcontractor.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
requiring in its construction the use of at least two unrelated building trades or crafts Enter a prime or sub-contract for a framing or carpentry project and self-perform the work. The prime contract requires at least two other, unrelated building trades or crafts; or The “B” General Building contractor holds the appropriate license classification or subcontracts with an appropriately licensed specialty contractor to perform the work.Official source
How to get this license
Use the agency’s requirements below to plan your next steps. Missing details stay marked.
Start with the licensing authority
Licensing board
Contractors State License Board
Official agency page
Check the qualifications
Age
18
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
The qualifier must be at least 18 years old.
Official sourceEducation
No educational requirement for the license qualifier.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
There is no educational requirement to apply for or act as the qualifier on a license.
Official sourceExperience
Qualifier: four years within the last ten years at the required work-experience level.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
The qualifier must have the required work experience (four years within the last ten years
Official sourceExam
Pass the required trade and/or business-and-law examination; an asbestos open-book exam is also required for issuance.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
After CSLB accepts the application, the qualifier will need to pass a trade exam and/or a business and law exam Asbestos open book exam.
Official sourceBond
Contractor bond of $25,000.
Insurance
Workers’ compensation insurance or exemption.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Workers’ compensation insurance or exemption.
Official sourceReview fees and apply
Application fee
$450.00
Exam fee
Not verified yet
License fee
$200.00
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Initial license fee of $200 for a sole owner
Official sourceApply with the agency
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
This "Application for Original Contractor License" is for new applicants for Sole Owner entity types, when experience and examinations are required.
Official source
Reciprocity
Not verified yet
Official sources and verification (15)
Last verified 2026-10-24. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
This "Application for Original Contractor License" is for new applicants for Sole Owner entity types, when experience and examinations are required.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
There is no educational requirement to apply for or act as the qualifier on a license.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
The qualifier must have the required work experience (four years within the last ten yearsOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
After CSLB accepts the application, the qualifier will need to pass a trade exam and/or a business and law exam Asbestos open book exam.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Workers’ compensation insurance or exemption.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Renewal fee of $450 for a sole owner license will be due every two years after licensure.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Renewal fee of $450 for a sole owner license will be due every two years after licensure.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Non-refundable application fee of $450 due as well as a 2.3% fee added by the credit card company when this form is submitted online.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
requiring in its construction the use of at least two unrelated building trades or crafts Enter a prime or sub-contract for a framing or carpentry project and self-perform the work. The prime contract requires at least two other, unrelated building trades or crafts; or The “B” General Building contractor holds the appropriate license classification or subcontracts with an appropriately licensed specialty contractor to perform the work.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Keep exploring.
Same license in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Last verified 2026-10-24.
Official sources (3)
Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.