Experience and Examination Information
Applicants for licensure must meet specific experience and examination requirements, as explained below. Waivers of the trade examination may be granted under certain circumstances, as indicated below.
Experience Requirements
To be eligible for licensure, the qualifying individual must have had, within the last 10 years, at least four (4) years of experience in the classification for which they are applying. The experience must be at no less than a journeyman level, or as a foreman, supervising employee, contractor, or owner-builder. A "journeyman" is defined as an experienced worker who is fully qualified (as opposed to a trainee) and is able to perform the trade without supervision, or one who has completed an apprenticeship program. Experience is documented on the Certification of Work Experience form. (T16 CCR section 825)
Examination Eligibility Requirements
The qualifying individual for a contractor license is required to pass a specific trade examination if required (BPC section 7065), unless they meet the requirements for a waiver (see below for information regarding examination waivers).
The qualifying individual for a contractor license is required to pass the written Law and Business Examination and a specific trade examination if required (BPC section 7065), unless they meet the requirements for a waiver (see below for information regarding examination waivers). Official CSLB examination study guides are available free of charge on CSLB’s website and are mailed to applicants when they are scheduled for exams. These study guides are available in English and Spanish.
Re-Examination
If you are required to take an examination, subject to some limitations, you have 18 months after the approval of your application in which to achieve a passing score on the exam(s). During that time period, you may take the exam(s) as many times as needed within retesting guidelines. A $100 fee is required each time you reschedule an exam. (See BPC section 7074 for more detailed information on re-examinations.)
Reasonable Accommodation - The Americans with Disabilities Act
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), CSLB provides reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities that may affect their ability to take the required examinations. Applicants wishing to request reasonable accommodation pursuant to the ADA must complete the Special Accommodation Request for Examination form (available on the Forms and Applications page on CSLB's website) and submit it to CSLB with the appropriate supporting documentation. In order to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate candidate needs, the form and supporting documentation should be submitted as soon as possible.
Examination Waivers and Exemptions
The examination may be waived if the qualifying individual is currently, or has been in the last five (5) years, actively engaged in the construction business and meets specific waiver requirements as mandated by law, or has been actively licensed in good standing or has passed the required exams in the classification for which they are applying. (See BPC sections 7065 - 7065.4 for a complete list.)
In addition, the trade examination may be waived if the qualifier meets the requirements for reciprocity, please see CSLB’s website (www.cslb.ca.gov) for more information. If you are licensed in a state and classification recognized by the Board, please have the licensing agency from your state complete a “License Verification Request” form and submit it with this application. The Law and Business Examination will still be required if the applicant has not passed that examination within the last five (5) years. (See CSLB’s website for more information on reciprocity on the Applicants page.)
C-22 Asbestos Abatement Contractor License
The C-22 – Asbestos Abatement contractor performs abatement, including containment, encapsulation, or removal, and disposal of asbestos containing construction materials, as defined in Section 6501.8 of the Labor Code, in and on buildings and structures. All work performed and all documentation prepared by an asbestos abatement contractor shall be done in accordance with DOSH regulations and requirements.
The Board shall not issue an asbestos abatement contractor license unless the applicant or contractor is duly registered with DOSH pursuant to Section 6501.5 of the Labor Code or has an active application for registration in process with DOSH. All holders of the C-22 – Asbestos Abatement classification shall have completed DOSH registration training requirements, as contained in Section 1529 of Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations.
You may wish to contact DOSH prior to applying for the asbestos certification or the C-22 – Asbestos Abatement classification to be sure that you understand their requirements for registration since DOSH registration is required in order to perform asbestos-related work. DOSH’s Asbestos Contractors’ Registration Unit (ACRU) can be reached at (916) 574-2993 or ACRU@dir.ca.gov, or you can visit their website at http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/ACRU/ACRUhome.htm.
C-47 General Manufactured Housing Contractor License
Prior to obtaining a C-47 – General Manufactured Housing contractor classification, applicants must complete a federally approved initial installer training. Along with your application, please submit a “Certificate of Completion of Training” from a qualified trainer approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The license applicant is responsible for ensuring the training program is approved by HUD. Existing C-47 license holders are exempt from the requirement.
Workers' Compensation and Bond of Qualifying Individual Requirements
Workers’ compensation is required for all contractors applying for the C-8 Concrete, C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning, C-22 Asbestos Abatement, C-39 Roofing, and C-61/D-49 Tree Service classifications, whether or not they have any employees. The Certificate of Insurance must be issued in the business name shown on this application. Contractors that have no employees and are not otherwise required to have workers’ compensation insurance can complete the Exemption from Workers’ Compensation form, available on CSLB website’s Forms and Applications page. (BPC section 7125)
If the qualifier for the new classification will be an RME, you must have a Workers' Compensation Certificate of Insurance on file with CSLB. Exemption from workers' compensation is not possible if the qualifier is an RME.
The RME qualifier must submit a $25,000 qualifying individual's bond, unless they were already a qualifier on the existing license and were already bonded. An RME can act as the qualifier on only one active license at a time. If the qualifier is an RME, in addition to the signature of the RME qualifier, this application will also require the signature of an owner, general partner, corporate officer, or an authorized LLC officer, manager, or member. If the qualifier for the new classification will be an RMO or a responsible managing manager or member who owns less than 10% of the voting stock or membership interest in the existing business, they must submit a $25,000 qualifying individual's bond, unless they were already a qualifier on the license and were already bonded. No person can act as the qualifier for more than one individual or firm unless: 1) there is common ownership of at least 20% of the equity of each business for which they act as the qualifier; 2) the additional firm is a subsidiary of or joint venture with the first ("subsidiary" means any business at least 20% of the equity is owned by the other business); or 3) the majority of officers, partners, or managers of the firms are the same. In such cases, a qualifying individual may act as the qualifier for no more than three (3) firms in any one-year period.
For information on bonds, refer to A Guide to Contractor License Bonds, which can be viewed on the Guides and Publications page on CSLB's website. (BPC section 7071.9)
LLC Liability Insurance Requirement
If the existing license is an LLC, please be aware that all LLC licenses are required to have liability insurance in an amount that is not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) or more than five million dollars ($5,000,000), based on the number of personnel of record on the license. For five (5) or fewer personnel, the amount is not less than $1 million. For each additional member of the personnel, the amount increases $100,000, up to $5 million maximum. For example, an LLC that has eight (8) personnel would be required to carry a $1,300,000 liability insurance policy. Therefore, if the replacement of the qualifier will increase the number of personnel on the license (by adding a new qualifier), the amount of the liability insurance may also need to increase. (BPC section 7071.19)
Construction Management Education Account
A grant program was established in 1991 to provide funds for qualified public post-secondary schools that teach construction management. Applicants may voluntarily contribute to the account when paying the application fee or the license renewal fee. If you would like to make a voluntary contribution, please mark the box on the top portion of Page 1 of the application, write in the dollar amount in the space provided, and include that dollar amount in the total amount paid with your application, or submit a separate check or money order made payable to CSLB/Construction Management Education Account. (See BPC sections 7139.2 and 7139.4.)
Collection of Social Security Numbers, Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers, and Federal Employer Identification Numbers
With the exception of the driver license number, all information requested on the application is mandatory, including disclosure of U.S. Social Security numbers (SSN), individual taxpayer identification numbers (ITIN), and federal employer identification numbers (FEIN). Collection of the SSN, ITIN, and FEIN is authorized by BPC sections 30, 31, and 7145.5. SSNs, ITINs, and FEINs are used exclusively for the purpose of tax enforcement, compliance with any judgment or order for family support in accordance with Family Code section 17520, measurement of employment outcomes of students who participate in career technical education programs offered by the California Community Colleges as required by BPC section 30, and investigation of tax evasion and violations of cash-pay reporting laws as set forth in Section 329 of the Unemployment Insurance Code. If you fail to disclose your SSN, ITIN, or FEIN, your application will not be processed, and you will be reported to the Franchise Tax Board; they may assess a $100 penalty against you.
Collection of Personal Information
CSLB collects the personal information requested on the following form as authorized by BPC sections 30, 31, 114.5, 115.5, 141, 480, 7066, 7068.2, 7069, 7072, 7073, and 7145.5 and T16 CCR section 816. CSLB uses this information to identify and evaluate applicants for licensure, issue and renew licenses, and enforce licensing standards set by law and regulation. Submission of the requested information is mandatory. CSLB cannot consider your application for licensure unless you provide all of the requested information. You may review the records maintained by CSLB that contain your personal information, unless the records are identified as confidential information and exempted from disclosure by the Information Practices Act, including Civil Code section 1798.40. CSLB makes every effort to protect the personal information you provide us; however, it may be disclosed in response to a Public Records Act request as allowed by the Information Practices Act; to another government agency as required by state or federal law or as provided in Civil Code section 1798.24; or in response to a court or administrative order, a subpoena, or a search warrant. The Custodian of Records is responsible for maintaining the information on this form and may be contacted at the address and telephone number listed in the letterhead at the top of this General Information and Instructions portion for questions about this notice or access to records.
Resources on the Licensing Process
CSLB has a variety of publications available to help you become a licensed contractor and to maintain your license. You can order free publications from or view documents on CSLB's website (www.cslb.ca.gov), by writing to CSLB at the address listed below, or by calling the 24-hour automated phone system at (800) 321-CSLB (2752). Please visit CSLB's website or call the toll-free phone number to find out how to order the current edition of the California Contractors License Law & Reference Book or other publications.
Application Processing - Follow Your Application Status Online
When CSLB receives your application, an acknowledgement letter will be sent to you that explains how to check the status of your application online at www.cslb.ca.gov or by calling (800) 321-CSLB (2752) using the Application Fee Number and Personal Identification Number (PIN) provided in the acknowledgement letter.
Please include your Application Fee Number in any correspondence. All correspondence should be sent to:
Contractors State License Board
P. O. Box 26000
Sacramento, CA 95826