The Contractors State License Board runs a free CSLB contractor license lookup at cslb.ca.gov called “Check a License.” Two minutes on that page tells you whether the person about to work on your home is actually licensed, what they’re licensed to do, whether their bond and workers’ compensation coverage are in force, and whether the state has disciplined them. Run the search before you sign anything and before any money changes hands.
Running the Search
From the CSLB homepage, click “Check a License.” You can search three ways.1Contractors State License Board. Check A License
- By license number. A California contractor license number is numeric, up to eight digits. It’s printed on the contractor’s pocket license, their business card, and their advertising, which they’re required to display.
- By business name. Use the exact name the contractor filed with the CSLB. If the spelling is uncertain, try a partial name and work down the results.
- By personnel name. Search by an individual’s last name. The tool returns up to 100 matches at a time.
The same page also looks up a Home Improvement Salesperson (HIS) registration. Anyone knocking on your door to sell remodeling work on behalf of a contractor needs an active HIS registration, and you can pull it by the registration number (up to eight digits followed by “SP”) or by name.
What the License Status Actually Means
The status line is the first thing to read on the results page. It tells you whether the contractor can legally take on your project today.2Contractors State License Board. CSLB Terms and Definitions
- Active. Currently licensed and authorized to work. This is the only status you want to see.
- Inactive. The license exists but the holder cannot bid or perform work.
- Suspended. Prohibited from working. Suspension can follow a canceled bond, lapsed workers’ compensation coverage, an unpaid civil judgment left unresolved for 90 days, or the loss of the qualifying individual without a timely replacement. Work performed while suspended is treated as unlicensed work.3Contractors State License Board. Suspended License
- Revoked. Permanently pulled by the CSLB, usually for serious or repeated violations. A revoked license cannot be brought back by renewing.
- Expired. Not renewed. Active licenses expire every two years, inactive ones every four.4Contractors State License Board. Step 1 – General Renewal Information
Anything other than Active is a stop sign. References and a competitive bid don’t matter if the contractor can’t legally do the work.
Match the Classification to Your Project
A contractor is only licensed to do the type of work their classification covers, and working outside it violates the licensing law.5CSLB. Description of CSLB License Classifications
- Class A, General Engineering, covers fixed works needing specialized engineering knowledge, such as roads, bridges, dams, and utility infrastructure.
- Class B, General Building, covers structures involving at least two unrelated building trades, like new home or commercial construction.
- Class B-2, Residential Remodeling, is a newer classification limited to non-structural work on existing wood-frame homes. A B-2 holder cannot alter load-bearing walls or install new electrical, plumbing, or HVAC systems, though they can modify existing ones.6CSLB. CSLB Makes New B-2 License Available
- Class C, Specialty, breaks into 42 separate trade classifications. Common ones are C-10 Electrical, C-36 Plumbing, C-20 HVAC, and C-33 Painting.
Confirm the classification on the record matches the job you’re hiring for. A C-36 plumber cannot legally take on your electrical panel upgrade, no matter what they tell you.
Who’s Actually Standing Behind the License
Every California contractor license has a qualifying individual listed on it — the person who passed the trade and law exams and is responsible for supervising the company’s construction work. On the record they appear as either a Responsible Managing Officer (RMO), typically an owner, or a Responsible Managing Employee (RME), who must be actively engaged in the business at least 32 hours per week. If the qualifier leaves and isn’t replaced within 90 days, the license is automatically suspended.7California Legislative Information. California Code BPC 7068.2
A recent qualifier change is worth asking about. A company that has cycled through multiple qualifiers in a short period may signal instability, or a situation where someone is renting their license to a business they don’t actually supervise.
Bond and Insurance on the Record
The record shows the contractor’s bond status and workers’ compensation status. Both need a look.
The License Bond
Every active California contractor must keep a $25,000 surety bond on file with the CSLB, and it should show as “in force” on the record.8Contractors State License Board. Bond Requirements The bond amount rose to $25,000 on January 1, 2023 under Senate Bill 607. If a contractor violates the contract or fails to pay employees, you or the affected workers can claim against the bond by contacting the surety company directly. The record includes a Contractor’s Bond History link that shows which surety issued the bond at any given time.9Contractors State License Board. Bond Basics
The license bond is not general liability insurance. It guarantees the contractor will follow the law and honor the contract; it doesn’t cover accidents, property damage from construction, or job-site injuries. Ask the contractor separately for proof of general liability coverage before work begins. The CSLB doesn’t track or display it.
Workers’ Compensation
California requires contractors with employees to carry workers’ compensation coverage continuously. If the policy lapses, the license is automatically suspended until acceptable proof of new coverage reaches the CSLB.10Contractors State License Board. Workers’ Compensation Requirements
Contractors with no employees can file a Certificate of Exemption instead, and you’ll see the exemption noted on the record. Some high-risk classifications, including roofing (C-39), tree service (C-61/D-49), asbestos abatement (C-22), HVAC (C-20), and concrete (C-8), cannot claim it.11Contractors State License Board. Exemption from Workers’ Compensation Insurance If the record shows an exemption but a crew shows up at your house, that’s a red flag: uninsured workers hurt on your property can turn into a claim against your homeowner’s policy.12CSLB. The Downside Of Being An Owner Builder
Disciplinary History
Below the bond and insurance section, the record shows any disciplinary actions the CSLB has taken. The board publicly discloses complaints that produce a citation, are referred for an accusation, or are referred for investigation where staff found a probable violation serious enough to warrant suspension, revocation, or criminal prosecution.13State of California. Dealing With a Complaint
- Citations. The most common form of discipline, carrying a civil penalty of up to $2,000 plus an order to pay restitution. Citations stay visible for five years from the date the contractor comes into compliance.
- Accusations. Formal legal proceedings where the CSLB seeks to suspend or revoke the license. An accusation on the record means the board considered the violations serious enough to potentially end the contractor’s career.
- Disciplinary bond. A contractor with prior discipline can be required to post an additional bond of at least $25,000, up to ten times the standard license bond, on file for a minimum of two years.9Contractors State License Board. Bond Basics
A single old citation isn’t automatically disqualifying. Patterns are what matter: multiple citations, an accusation, or a disciplinary bond on the record should make you pause.
When You Even Need a Licensed Contractor
Not every job requires a license. The requirement kicks in when the total cost of labor and materials reaches $1,000, or when the work requires a building permit, whichever comes first.14California Legislative Information. California Business and Professions Code 7048 Splitting a larger job into multiple contracts under $1,000 to duck licensing is specifically prohibited. If a contractor suggests that arrangement, walk away.
If the Lookup Shows They Weren’t Licensed
California gives consumers who hire unlicensed contractors an unusually strong remedy. Under Business and Professions Code 7031, you can sue to recover every dollar you paid for the work, with no offset for the value of materials or labor the contractor actually provided.15California Legislative Information. California Code BPC 7031 Courts have described the disgorgement rule as intentionally harsh: it’s a penalty against unlicensed contracting, not a measure of actual damages.
The same statute blocks the contractor from suing you to collect payment, even if the work was finished and you’re satisfied with it.16California Legislative Information. California Business and Professions Code 7031 A narrow “substantial compliance” doctrine can help a contractor who was previously licensed, acted in good faith to keep the license, and promptly cured a lapse once discovered. It never applies to someone who was never licensed at all.
Move fast. The statute of limitations for recovery under this provision is one year from the date the unlicensed contractor finishes or stops working.
Filing a Complaint With the CSLB
If the lookup surfaces problems, or a contractor you’ve already hired starts causing them, you can file a complaint with the CSLB against either a licensed or an unlicensed contractor. Complaints can be filed online, by mail, or on a PDF form. The board can investigate violations of the licensing law going back up to four years from the date of the act.17Contractors State License Board. Filing a Construction Complaint
Keep expectations grounded. The CSLB’s job is licensing enforcement and discipline. An investigation can lead to a citation, fine, suspension, or revocation, but the CSLB doesn’t guarantee you’ll get your money back. Recovery usually means a bond claim against the contractor’s surety or a separate civil lawsuit.