California Contractor License Verification
Instantly verify contractor licenses through the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) — including license class, specialty classification, status, expiration, and bond information. No manual lookups. No tab-switching.
44
CSLB specialty classifications
$500
Threshold requiring a CA license
<10s
Avg verification time
11
States searched simultaneously
What the California CSLB regulates
The California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) licenses and regulates the construction industry across the state. California requires a valid CSLB license for any contracting work valued at $500 or more — one of the lowest thresholds in the country.
The CSLB issues licenses across three classes — A, B, and C — with 44 specialty classifications under Class C alone. Verifying that a contractor holds the correct classification for your specific project type is critical. A licensed plumber cannot legally perform roofing work, and a general building contractor cannot perform specialty engineering work without the corresponding license.
California also requires licensed contractors to maintain a $25,000 contractor's bond. Bond status is part of the public CSLB record and is included in every CredentialClear search.
License class matters as much as license status.
A contractor with an active CSLB license in the wrong classification cannot legally perform your project. CredentialClear shows both status and classification in every result.
General Engineering Contractor
Specialized work requiring engineering knowledge — grading, excavation, paving, pipelines, bridges.
General Building Contractor
Broad construction work on structures — framing, foundations, and projects requiring two or more unrelated trades.
Specialty Contractor (44 Classifications)
Trade-specific work including electrical (C-10), HVAC (C-20), plumbing (C-36), roofing (C-39), landscaping (C-27), and 39 more.
More than the CSLB search portal gives you.
The California CSLB confirms whether a license exists. CredentialClear tells you everything you need to verify a contractor's credentials before you hire.
Live CSLB Data
Results pulled directly from the California Contractors State License Board — not a stale third-party directory.
License Class + Classification
See whether the contractor holds a Class A, B, or C license — and verify the specific C-class specialty matches your project type.
Google Reviews
Surface ratings and review counts alongside license data — evaluate reputation and compliance in one place.
License Monitoring
Flag California contractors for ongoing tracking. Get notified if their CSLB license expires, lapses, or is disciplined.
California contractor license verification — answered.
How do I verify a contractor license in California?
California contractor licenses are issued by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). You can search by contractor name, license number, or business name. CredentialClear searches the California CSLB database alongside 7 other state registries in a single query — returning license class, status, expiration date, and bond information without manual lookups.
What are the California CSLB license classifications?
The CSLB issues three license classes: Class A (General Engineering Contractor), Class B (General Building Contractor), and Class C (Specialty Contractor). There are 44 specialty classifications under Class C — including C-10 Electrical, C-20 HVAC, C-36 Plumbing, C-39 Roofing, and C-27 Landscaping. Verifying that a contractor holds the correct classification for your project type is as important as verifying that their license is active.
Is a contractor required to be licensed in California?
Yes. California law requires a valid CSLB license for any contracting work valued at $500 or more, including labor and materials. This is one of the lowest thresholds in the country. Performing or hiring for unlicensed contracting work is a misdemeanor in California and can result in fines, stop-work orders, and civil liability.
What is California's unlicensed contractor enforcement program?
The CSLB operates one of the most active unlicensed contractor enforcement programs in the country, including sting operations targeting contractors who solicit work without a valid license — particularly following natural disasters. The CSLB publishes enforcement actions and citations publicly. CredentialClear cross-references contractor names against available public enforcement records.
Does a California contractor need to be bonded and insured?
Yes. California requires licensed contractors to maintain a $25,000 contractor's bond with the CSLB as a condition of licensure. The bond information is part of the public CSLB license record. CredentialClear surfaces bond status alongside license status so you can verify both in a single search.
What happens if I hire an unlicensed contractor in California?
Hiring an unlicensed contractor in California can void your homeowner's insurance, result in failed building inspections, create personal liability for workplace injuries, and leave you without legal recourse if work is defective. California courts have held that contracts with unlicensed contractors may be unenforceable — meaning you could lose money paid with no legal remedy.