How to Get a Contractors License in California
Getting a California contractor license is a big career step, so congratulations on starting the journey to this achievement. There are several steps to becoming a contractor, from submitting an application to passing the examination to getting bonded. The most intensive part of the process is the license examination, so we’ve created a study guide to help aspiring contractors prepare for testing. Read on to learn more about the steps to becoming a contractor, or click below if you’d like to access our contractor exam prep study kits.
Steps to Become a Contractor in California
Step 1.
Determine if You are Eligible
Not everyone is eligible to obtain a contractor license. To receive licensure, you must first make sure you meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have the experience and skills necessary to manage a construction business’s day-to-day operations, including field supervision
- Have worked four full years at journeyman level or as a foreman, supervisor, or contractor for the license classification you’re seeking (this experience must be within 10 years of the license application and be verifiable) Additionally, owner-builders may be able to qualify some of their experience by submitting a Construction Project Experience form for each project they have completed.
Step 2.
Complete the License Application & Pay Fees
The California Contractors State License Board provides license applications by business type. See a full list of the CSLB’s license classifications. The application for your business type will require certain information and documents. All applications, however, require a social security number or individual taxpayer identification number. After completing the appropriate license application, you’ll need to pay the associated fees. The CSLB charges two fees: an application filing fee and initial license fee. The application fee is typically $450 while an initial license fee can range between $200-$350. For more information about fees, visit cslb.ca.gov.
Step 3.
Fingerprinting After CSLB Review of Application
New applicants must submit their fingerprints as part of the CSLB’s mandatory criminal background check. There is a charge for this which varies depending on the Live Scan location. Once your application is posted, the CSLB will mail you the necessary documents for collecting fingerprints. Following this step, the CSLB may randomly select some applicants to provide documentation proving that they meet minimum experience requirements.
Step 4.
Schedule & Prepare for the Exam
Unless you have an approved waiver, you’ll need to take the appropriate examination to qualify for a California contractor license. The CSLB will schedule the test date, time, and location. You’ll be tested on the general knowledge required for the license classification you are seeking as well as the standard Law and Business examination. We highly recommend using an exam study guide to prepare for the test.
Step 5.
Purchase Your Bonds
Once you’ve passed your examination, the last step is to get bonded and satisfy workers compensation insurance requirements, or filing an exemption form for businesses with no employees. You’ll need to purchase a license bond (and a Bond of Qualifying Individual if applicable) prior to being issued your license number. In addition, LLC entities will need to secure a 100k LLC employee/worker bond and liability insurance. You can get bonded quickly and reliably through Exam Cram Pro’s family-owned sister company Surety First.
Once these steps are completed and you’ve acquired your license, you’ll be ready to begin legally performing contracting work in the state of California.
Ready to Get Started?
After you’ve submitted your application and scheduled your fingerprinting and examination, the next step is to prepare for the big test. Exam Cram Pros has extensive study materials to help you get ready for each trade exam. Click below to identify the exam aligned with the trade you’re seeking licensure for, and use our comprehensive guides to make sure you know your stuff on exam day.
Download the Checklist
Want to keep the steps outlined above where you can see them? Download a PDF of the licensure process to print and keep handy while on your journey to becoming a licensed contractor.
ExamCram Pros FAQs
Q: How long does it take to get a contractors license in California?
That depends on a few factors, including the type of application you’re submitting. Different application types are processed by different CSLB units. It currently averages around three weeks for an application to be reviewed and processed, then another three weeks until your examination. It will take the FBI and DOJ anywhere from two to six weeks to return the criminal background check to the CSLB from the time you submit your fingerprints. If all of this goes smoothly, you’ll then receive your license a matter of weeks after passing the examination and the CSLB receiving the criminal report. Should there be an issue with any of these steps, however, you’re looking at additional weeks.
Q: Do you need a contractors license in California?
Yes. For projects that meet or exceed $500 including labor and materials, you must have a valid license to perform contracting work legally. There are penalties for working without a valid license, including six months in jail, a $5,000 fine, and/or administrative fines of up to $15,000.
Q: How do I get a contractor license in California?
To get a contractor license in California, you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have the experience and skills necessary to manage a construction business’s day-to-day operations, including field supervision
- Have worked four full years at journeyman level or as a foreman, supervisor, or contractor for the license classification you’re seeking (this experience must be within 10 years of the license application and be verifiable)
If you meet these requirements, you can then follow the steps above regarding applying for licensure, taking the exam, submitting fingerprints, and getting bonded.
Q: How difficult is the California Contractors exam?
The exam varies in difficulty based on the applicant’s level of subject knowledge. For many, the test is challenging and requires study materials and a commitment to preparation. Since the examination is different for each trade classification, it’s hard to say how challenging you’ll find yours. Most trade examinations average around 100 questions, and you’ll have 3.5 hours to complete the exam. All questions are multiple choice, with some referring to diagrams.
To pass, you must get a minimum score, which differs depending on the trade you’re testing for. If you don’t pass the first time, you can take the exam again as many times as needed in the 18 months after your application is posted.
We strongly recommend contractor exam prep using the appropriate study guide for your trade.
Q: What types of licenses are available?
License types include:
- General engineering
- General building
- Residential remodeling
- Specialty trades
- Limited specialty trades
- Asbestos abatement
- Hazardous substance removal
Some classifications, such as specialty trades, include subclassifications that have their own exam.
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