If you are going to work as a contractor in California, you need to have a license from the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). The CSLB is the agency that regulates the contracting industry in California and issues licenses to contractors.
To ensure that your projects are completed correctly and legally in the state of California, you need to have the appropriate license for the work you will be performing. Without the right license, you or your contractor may be liable for legal repercussions.
Read on to learn more about California’s different types of contractor licenses.
The California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is a 15-member board that regulates contractor licenses, policies, and requirements in California.
This agency also handles complaints against contractors. The agency’s primary goal is to protect the consumer public’s interests by ensuring that anyone charging over $500 per project for construction services is properly licensed and bonded.
To obtain a California CSLB license, contractors must meet several requirements, including passing an exam and completing a criminal background check.
Once licensed, contractors must maintain their licenses by completing continuing education courses and following all California CSLB regulations.
When it comes to contractor licenses, the CSLB offers four different types of licenses:
While the A, B, and B-2 licenses cover general contracting work, the C license covers 45 specialized trades – making it essential to know exactly which trade you will be performing work in before beginning the licensing process.
The General Contracting License, or Class A license, is required for general contracting work. These can include – but are not limited to – construction, alteration, repair, remodeling, or demolition of any building, highway, road, railroad, excavation, or other structure in California.
In general, a Class A contractor is someone who oversees a construction project outside of residential buildings or general building engineering work.
The General Building License, or Class B license, is required for general building work. This includes buildings that are designed to house or be used by humans, such as office buildings, schools, and hospitals.
It can also cover buildings that are built to house animals, such as barns, and certain types of construction not covered by the Class A license
Class B-2 Residential Remodeling Contractors in California must have a California CSLB License. The work done by a B-2 contractor is defined as work in connection with any project to make improvements to, on, or in an existing residential wood-frame structure. Additionally, three building crafts or trades must be involved in the contract.
A typical B-2 project might include such work as an electrical upgrade, a plumbing upgrade, and the installation of new drywall – all governed by different building codes and requiring different levels of experience and expertise.
A Class C license is required for specialty contracting work. The CSLB offers 45 different types of Class C licenses, each covering a specific trade or craft.
Class Ci licenses can range from those who install fire extinguishers to those who work with power-operated doors. A Class C license will likely be required if the work requires a particular set of education, certifications, and skills to complete.
Here is a list of the classifications that fall under the Class C license:
To receive the proper license classification, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Once you ensure that you have met the basic requirements, you will need to determine which license type you fall into (see above.) With that in hand, you will then file the necessary licensure application through the CSLB.
The CSLB will notify you of your application being received and will inform you of the date and location of your applicable licensure test.
Applicants must pass the examination before being issued a license. The trade examination covers questions specific to your classification and tests your knowledge of business and law related to the construction industry.
Once you pass the exam and complete any final paperwork, you will receive your California contractor’s license. You must also ensure that you are bonded to work in the state of California as a contractor.
Knowing which license classification you need is critical to working as a contractor in California. Be sure that you are fully aware of the requirements for your specific trade before beginning any contracting job in the state.
If you have any questions about the licensing process or the requirements for your classification, visit Contractors License Guru. As the leading resource for contracting licensing, we are here to help you every step of the way.
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