How to Verify a Contractor License in California (CSLB Lookup, 2026)
California requires a CSLB license for any construction job of $1,000 or more in combined labor and materials — and you can verify any license free in two minutes at cslb.ca.gov (“Check a License”). Confirm the status is active, the classification matches the work, the bond is current, and workers’ comp is on file. California also caps your down payment at 10% or $1,000, whichever is less — by law.
What Does California License — and at What Threshold?
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| License required | Jobs of $1,000+ (labor + materials). Below that, an unlicensed handyman is legal only if no permit is required and they advertise as unlicensed (threshold raised from $500, effective 2025) |
| Who licenses | Contractors State License Board (CSLB), cslb.ca.gov |
| Classifications | A (general engineering), B (general building), B-2 (residential remodeling), C-XX specialties — C-10 electrical, C-36 plumbing, C-20 HVAC, C-39 roofing, etc. |
| Bond | Every licensee must carry a $25,000 contractor bond — your first source of compensation in a dispute |
| Deposit cap | 10% or $1,000, whichever is less (with narrow exceptions) |
How Do You Run the CSLB Check, Step by Step?
- Go to cslb.ca.gov → “Check a License” — search by license number (it must appear on their ads, bids, and contracts) or business name
- Confirm status: active — not expired, suspended, or “inactive”
- Match the classification to your job: a C-39 roofer cannot legally take your kitchen remodel; a B general builder taking a pure electrical job should subcontract a C-10
- Check bond status (current, and note the surety company — that’s who you claim against) and workers’ comp on file; a contractor with employees but a workers’ comp exemption certificate is a red flag
- Scroll the record for disciplinary actions and citations — patterns matter more than one old resolved item
What Protections Do You Get That Other States Don’t?
California’s system is the strongest homeowner-protection package in the country — use all of it:
- The 10%/$1,000 deposit cap is enforceable law, not a suggestion — a contractor demanding 30% down is violating it on day one. See deposit rules and payment schedules
- Unlicensed contractors can’t sue you for payment — and you can sue to recover everything you paid them, even for completed work (B&P Code § 7031: disgorgement)
- The $25,000 bond gives you a claim path that doesn’t require suing
- CSLB complaint process can mediate, cite, and refer criminal cases; unlicensed contracting is a misdemeanor, escalating for repeat offenses and disaster areas
- Small claims goes up to $12,500 for individuals — the most accessible enforcement of all. Full sequence: scammed by a contractor
High labor costs make verification doubly important here — check local pricing in our Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego guides before comparing bids.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if a contractor is licensed in California? Use “Check a License” at cslb.ca.gov — search by license number or business name. Verify active status, the right classification for your job, current bond, and workers’ comp. Free, two minutes.
What’s the minimum job size requiring a license in California? $1,000 in combined labor and materials (raised from $500 effective 2025). Below that, unlicensed work is legal only if no building permit is required and the person discloses they’re unlicensed.
How much deposit can a California contractor legally ask for? 10% of the contract price or $1,000 — whichever is less. Demanding more violates CSLB rules and is a reliable scam signal.
What if I already paid an unlicensed contractor in California? California is uniquely homeowner-friendly: under B&P § 7031 you can sue to recover all money paid to an unlicensed contractor, regardless of work quality. Document everything and consider small claims (up to $12,500).
What does the contractor’s $25,000 bond actually cover? It compensates consumers harmed by license-law violations or defective work when the contractor won’t pay. You file a claim with the surety company listed on the CSLB record — no lawsuit required to start.
Last updated: June 10, 2026. Sources: Contractors State License Board (cslb.ca.gov); California Business & Professions Code §§ 7031, 7159; CSLB bond and down-payment rules. This article is consumer information, not legal advice.