California Contractor License Lookup

California requires a CSLB contractor license for construction work of $1,000 or more in labor and materials, and for any job that needs a building permit or uses workers. Search contractors on the official site of the Contractors State License Board (CSLB), and see the rules for trades and the job price where each applies. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored.

Search Contractors State License Board (CSLB)

California rules checked against official sources on October 25, 2026.

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Labor and materials together, in dollars. Leave it blank to see the state's dollar limits.

California: Remodel, repair or home improvement

  • This state rule applies to jobs of $1,000 or more. Credential: contractor license.

    A CSLB license is required for any job worth $1,000 or more in labor and materials combined. Trades such as electrical (C-10), plumbing (C-36), HVAC (C-20) and roofing (C-39) are CSLB license classifications. Source: Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 7048 (AB 2622, Stats. 2024 ch. 240; amended by AB 1170, Stats. 2025 ch. 67, eff. 2026-01-01)

    In effect since January 1, 2025.

    Conditions and exceptions for this rule:

    • A license is required at any cost if the work needs a building permit.
    • A license is required at any cost if the person employs anyone to help with the job.
    • Splitting a job into smaller contracts to stay under $1,000 does not avoid the requirement.
    • A license is required at any cost if the person advertises or otherwise presents themselves as a contractor.

Look up a contractor on the official site

Search Contractors State License Board (CSLB)

Search by license number, business name, or Home Improvement Salesperson registration.

What to check on the board's record

  • The name or business on the record matches the name on your contract or estimate.
  • The status is active, not expired, suspended or revoked.
  • The license type or class covers your kind of job.
  • The license number in the contractor's ads and contract is the same one.

This summarises state rules from official sources. Only the board's own record can confirm one contractor's license. Checked October 25, 2026.

How California licenses contractors

California requires a CSLB contractor license for construction work of $1,000 or more in labor and materials, and for any job that needs a building permit or uses workers. Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 7028, 7048

Contracting without a license is a misdemeanor. A first conviction can bring a fine of up to $5,000, up to six months in county jail, or both. Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 7028

Rules by type of work

All kinds of work

  • contractor license: A CSLB license is required for any job worth $1,000 or more in labor and materials combined. Trades such as electrical (C-10), plumbing (C-36), HVAC (C-20) and roofing (C-39) are CSLB license classifications. Issued by Contractors State License Board (CSLB). In effect since January 1, 2025. Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 7048 (AB 2622, Stats. 2024 ch. 240; amended by AB 1170, Stats. 2025 ch. 67, eff. 2026-01-01)
    • A license is required at any cost if the work needs a building permit.
    • A license is required at any cost if the person employs anyone to help with the job.
    • Splitting a job into smaller contracts to stay under $1,000 does not avoid the requirement.
    • A license is required at any cost if the person advertises or otherwise presents themselves as a contractor.

Where to look up contractors in California

  • Contractors State License Board (CSLB): official license search. Search by license number, business name, or Home Improvement Salesperson registration.

On the record, check that the name matches your contract, the status is active (not expired, suspended or revoked), the license type covers your job, and the license number matches the one the contractor gave you.

What this tool does not do

  • It does not check any one contractor. Only the board's own record shows whether a license is active and what it covers.
  • It covers state rules. Cities and counties can add their own licenses and permits, and the tool cannot list every local rule.
  • It does not decide whether a contractor broke the law or what you can recover. For a dispute, contact the board or a lawyer.
  • It does not cover every specialty trade a state licenses (for example pest control, elevators or well drilling).

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I look up a contractor license in California?

Use the official online license search from the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). Search by the contractor's name, business name or license number, and check that the status is active and the license type covers your job.

Do you need a contractor license for a small job in California?

A CSLB license is required for any job worth $1,000 or more in labor and materials combined. Trades such as electrical (C-10), plumbing (C-36), HVAC (C-20) and roofing (C-39) are CSLB license classifications. For jobs under $1,000, this state rule generally does not apply, but the conditions and exceptions listed on this page can change that, and a city or county can require its own license.

What happens if a California contractor works without a required license?

Contracting without a license is a misdemeanor. A first conviction can bring a fine of up to $5,000, up to six months in county jail, or both.

Sources

Checked against official California sources on October 25, 2026.

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