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CSLB License Lookup: How to Check a California Contractor (and What the Results Mean)

By Dale Morgan · Updated 2026-10-18 · Every fact links to its official source.

Checking a California contractor's license before you hire them is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself. Many people search for how to do it every month. You can check two ways: on the CSLB's own site, or through our lookup, which is built from CSLB's public data portal file and lets you search by name or license number.

steps iconHow to check a California license, step by step

Checking a California contractor1Get the license numberor business name2Search CSLB orour lookup3Confirm the statusis active4Match the classificationto the job5Keep arecord
Checking a California contractor. A general outline only; the order and requirements differ by jurisdiction — see the verified facts below.
  1. Ask for the license number. Licensed contractors expect the question.
  2. Search it in the official CSLB license check or our California license lookup.
  3. Look at the status. Our lookup shows the status recorded in the CSLB file. For bonds, workers' compensation and complaint history, open the official CSLB record.
  4. Match the classification to the work. A general building (B) license, a C-10 electrical license and a C-36 plumbing license cover different work. The verified rules below explain what each requires.
  5. Keep a screenshot or note with the date you checked.

check iconWhat the license tells you: verified CSLB requirements

Knowing what a contractor had to do to earn the license helps you understand what the record means. Here are the CSLB requirements we've verified, each quoted with its source.

chart iconVerified facts at a glance

Typical licensing path1Find thelicensing authority2Log supervisedexperience3Pass theexam4Apply andpay fees5Renew and keepup CE
Typical licensing path. A general outline only; the order and requirements differ by jurisdiction — see the verified facts below.
Application fee by license — contractor licenses (verified values only)California General Contrac$450California Electrician$450
Application fee by license — contractor licenses (verified values only) (USD). Each bar is a single number quoted on an official page and reviewed by our editor; amounts are for the license type named in the scope note below and are not totals. Jurisdictions without a verified value are left out rather than estimated.

Chart sources (application fee):

Renewal fee by license — contractor licenses (verified values only)California General Contrac$450California Electrician$450
Renewal fee by license — contractor licenses (verified values only) (USD). Each bar is a single number quoted on an official page and reviewed by our editor; amounts are for the license type named in the scope note below and are not totals. Jurisdictions without a verified value are left out rather than estimated.

Chart sources (renewal fee):

section iconWhat a CSLB license requires

Here is what the official California pages we checked actually say. Each point is quoted from our reviewed record with its source; for the full picture, including anything still pending review, see our California general contractor license requirements page.

Licensing authority

Is a state/provincial license required?

License levels

Experience / hours

Education & training

Exam

Fees

Renewal

Reciprocity & endorsement

section iconC-10 electrical contractor

Here is what the official California pages we checked actually say. Each point is quoted from our reviewed record with its source; for the full picture, including anything still pending review, see our California electrician license requirements page.

Licensing authority

Is a state/provincial license required?

Experience / hours

Education & training

Exam

Fees

Renewal

steps iconHow to use this guide

help iconFAQ

How much does it cost? (What a CSLB license requires)

CSLB sole owner: $450 non-refundable application fee; $200 initial license fee after passing the exam. (Contractor license (B General Building, CSLB)) — source: Apply for a Sole Owner license, verified 2026-10-18

What exam is required? (What a CSLB license requires)

CSLB: applicants must pass a trade exam and/or a business and law exam, given by an approved testing vendor (exam fees paid to the vendor). (Contractor license (B General Building, CSLB)) — source: Apply for a Sole Owner license, verified 2026-10-18

How much experience do I need? (What a CSLB license requires)

CSLB: the qualifier needs four years of journey-level experience within the last ten years. (Contractor license (B General Building, CSLB)) — source: Apply for a Sole Owner license, verified 2026-10-18

How often must the license be renewed? (What a CSLB license requires)

CSLB sole owner license renewal: $450 every two years. (Contractor license (B General Building, CSLB)) — source: Apply for a Sole Owner license, verified 2026-10-18

How much does it cost? (C-10 electrical contractor)

CSLB sole owner: $450 non-refundable application fee; $200 initial license fee after passing the exam. (Contractor license (C-10 Electrical, CSLB)) — source: Apply for a Sole Owner license, verified 2026-10-18

What exam is required? (C-10 electrical contractor)

CSLB: applicants must pass a trade exam and/or a business and law exam, given by an approved testing vendor (exam fees paid to the vendor). (Contractor license (C-10 Electrical, CSLB)) — source: Apply for a Sole Owner license, verified 2026-10-18

How much experience do I need? (C-10 electrical contractor)

CSLB: the qualifier needs four years of journey-level experience within the last ten years. (Contractor license (C-10 Electrical, CSLB)) — source: Apply for a Sole Owner license, verified 2026-10-18

How often must the license be renewed? (C-10 electrical contractor)

CSLB sole owner license renewal: $450 every two years. (Contractor license (C-10 Electrical, CSLB)) — source: Apply for a Sole Owner license, verified 2026-10-18