How to look up a license
Go to the CSLB website and use its license check tool. You can search by license number, by business name, or by the name of a person on the license.
Use the number from the contractor’s contract, bid, business card, or website, and make sure the business name on the record matches the company you are hiring. For example, SAS Builds lists License #1073990 on every page of its site, and anyone can look that number up. If a contractor will not give you a license number, treat that as a reason not to hire them.
Print or save the record on the day you sign. Licenses, bonds, and insurance can lapse, so checking again before a large payment is a sensible habit on a long project.
What the license record tells you
A CSLB record shows more than whether a license exists. Each section answers a different question about the contractor you are hiring.
- License status — whether the license is active, expired, suspended, or revoked
- Business name and personnel — who holds the license and the qualifying individual responsible for it
- Classifications — the types of work the contractor is licensed to perform
- Contractor’s bond — whether a current license bond is on file
- Workers’ compensation — whether the contractor carries coverage or has filed an exemption stating they have no employees
- Complaint disclosure — public information about certain complaints and legal actions
What the classifications mean
Classifications describe what a contractor is licensed to do. For a house, the most common is the B, General Building classification, which covers projects involving more than two unrelated building trades, such as framing, plumbing, and electrical together.
Specialty contractors hold C classifications, such as C-10 Electrical, C-36 Plumbing, or C-39 Roofing, and generally perform work within that trade. An A classification covers general engineering work such as large grading and infrastructure. CSLB also offers a B-2 Residential Remodeling classification for certain remodeling work on existing homes.
Match the classification to the job. A general building contractor is the right hire for a custom home, a major remodel, or an addition. A specialty contractor is often the right hire for a single-trade job like a reroof.
Rules that protect homeowners
California sets specific consumer protections for home improvement work. Knowing a few of them helps you spot a problem before it costs you money. These rules change from time to time, so check the CSLB website for current details.
Down payments on home improvement contracts are generally limited to 10 percent of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less. Payments after that should track work actually completed. People who sell home improvement contracts on a contractor’s behalf must be registered with CSLB as Home Improvement Salespersons. Home improvement contracts carry required written terms and, in many cases, a right to cancel within a few days of signing, with a longer period for seniors.
Unlicensed work is limited to small jobs. For years the minor-work threshold was $500 in combined labor and materials; California raised it to $1,000 beginning in 2025, with conditions. Above that threshold, the work requires a licensed contractor, and a contractor who splits a job into small pieces to stay under the limit is a warning sign.
Beyond the license: insurance and references
An active license is necessary but not sufficient. Ask for a certificate of general liability insurance naming the policy limits and dates, and confirm workers’ compensation coverage if the contractor has employees on your site.
Then check the work itself. Ask for recent projects similar to yours and speak with past clients about communication, schedule, cleanliness, and how problems were handled. A clean license record and good references together are a far stronger signal than either one alone.
Red flags to watch for
Most problems with contractors are visible before a contract is signed, if you know where to look. The license check catches the clearest ones; the rest show up in how a contractor sells the job.
Be wary of a contractor who cannot or will not provide a license number, whose business name does not match the license record, or whose license classification does not fit the work. Pressure to sign the same day, requests for a large cash deposit, offers to skip permits to save money, and contracts with vague scope or no written change-order process are all warning signs.
If something feels off, pause. A legitimate contractor will give you time to check their license, call references, and read the contract. One who will not is telling you how the rest of the project is likely to go.
- No license number, or a name that does not match the CSLB record
- A classification that does not fit the work
- A down payment above the legal limit, or cash only
- Suggestions to skip permits
- Pressure to sign immediately
- No written change-order process
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a contractor license in California?
Use the free license check on the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) website. Search by license number, business name, or personal name. The record shows license status, classifications, bond, workers’ compensation status, and public complaint disclosures. Confirm the business name matches the company you are hiring.
What license does a general contractor need in California?
A general contractor building or remodeling homes typically holds the B, General Building classification, which covers projects involving more than two unrelated trades. Specialty trades hold C classifications, such as C-10 Electrical or C-36 Plumbing. CSLB also issues a B-2 Residential Remodeling classification for certain remodeling work.
How much can a contractor ask for as a down payment in California?
For home improvement contracts, the down payment is generally limited to 10 percent of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less. Later payments should correspond to work completed or materials delivered. Check the CSLB website for current rules and exceptions before signing.
Can an unlicensed contractor do small jobs in California?
Only very small ones. California long limited unlicensed work to jobs under $500 in combined labor and materials, and raised that minor-work threshold to $1,000 beginning in 2025, with conditions. Anything above the threshold requires a licensed contractor. Splitting a larger job into smaller pieces to avoid the rule is not allowed.
What does it mean if a contractor has a workers’ compensation exemption?
It means the contractor has certified to CSLB that they have no employees. If workers show up on your site who are employees of that contractor, the exemption may not be accurate, and injuries on your property could become your problem. Ask how the work will be staffed and confirm coverage matches.
