california contractors license

California Contractors License

With more than 280,000 active California contractor license issued, the California Contractors State License Board receives more than 20,000 applications for new licenses each year. Construction is one of the largest industries in California's diverse economy.

Besides granting contractor licenses, the California Contractors State License Board also handles construction-related complaints. Our contractors license course is comprehensive and covers all areas of contractor services, allowing you to avoid common errors.

All businesses or individuals who construct or alter any building, highway, road, parking facility, railroad, excavation, or other structure in California must be licensed by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) if the total cost (labor and materials) of one or more contracts on the project is $500 or more. Contractors, including subcontractors, specialty contractors, and persons engaged in the business of home improvement (with the exception of joint ventures and projects involving federal funding) must have a valid California contractors license before submitting bids. Contractors licenses may be issued to individuals, partnerships, corporations, or joint ventures.

The State of California does not recognize contractor licenses issued by other states. However, California does have reciprocal agreements with some states that recognize the experience qualifications for certain trades. If you have trade experience or a contractor license issued by another state or country and you want to contract for work in California, this experience may be acceptable. But you must apply for and be issued a contractor license by the California Contractors State License Board.

California contractor license course covers all areas necessary to pass the CSLB including the Law and Business examination. And we guaranty that you will pass the California contractors license test.

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 specialty license 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 required specialty license. 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.


More information on California contractors license requirements

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