Check the License, Classification, Bond, Workers’ Comp and Permit Before You Hire
A California contractor license lookup should do more than confirm a name. Before you sign, pay a deposit or let work begin, use the live CSLB record to compare the contractor’s legal business name, license status, classification, bond, workers’ compensation and public disclosure information.
Then check the local permit record for the project address. CSLB licenses contractors statewide, but your city or county building department normally controls the permit, inspection and final approval for the job.
Quick Answer: Use the Official CSLB Record, Then Check the Local Permit
For California contractor verification, start with the official CSLB “Check a Contractor License or Home Improvement Salesperson Registration” page. Search by license number when you have it, open the exact record, then compare the license status, expiration, classification, bond, workers’ compensation and disclosure sections with your written bid and contract.
Official California Links for the Actual Search
Use these official pages after reading the steps below. The live CSLB database and the local permit portals control the answer, not cached screenshots or contractor advertising.
Check a contractor or HIS registration
Use this when you already have a license number, business name, personnel name or Home Improvement Salesperson name.
Find licensed contractors by area
Use the CSLB public data portal when you are building a shortlist by city, ZIP code and classification. Treat the list as a starting point, not a recommendation.
How to Search the CSLB License Lookup Correctly
The fastest search is usually the contractor license number. California contractor license numbers are numeric, so remove punctuation, “CSLB #” text and extra spaces before searching.
Search by license number first
If the bid, website, vehicle, ad or contract shows a CSLB number, use that number before a name search. A number search reduces confusion from DBAs, abbreviations and similar business names.
Use business-name search carefully
If you do not have the number, search the contractor’s business name. Try the strongest part of the legal name first. If a full name fails, shorten it and remove words such as “The” or “A.”
Check the Home Improvement Salesperson
If someone negotiated or sold the home improvement contract for the contractor, check the Home Improvement Salesperson registration too. The salesperson record is separate from the contractor license record.
Open the exact license detail page
Do not stop at a search results list. Open the license detail page and review status, expiration, classifications, personnel, bond, workers’ compensation and public disclosure sections.
Save proof and recheck before payment
Print or save a dated copy of the record for your project file. Recheck the live CSLB record before signing, before paying a large progress payment and before final payment if time has passed.
Decode the CSLB License Record Like a Homeowner, Not a Search Bot
A good California contractor check compares each field against the job you are actually buying. Use this table while the license detail page is open.
| CSLB field | What to check | Compare with | Pause if you see |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal business name | The exact licensed entity and business type. | Bid, contract, invoice, permit applicant and payment recipient. | Money requested by an unrelated person or company. |
| License status | Whether the record is current and active for the contracting period. | The date you sign and the dates work will occur. | “Renewal pending,” inactive, expired, suspended or unclear status. |
| Expiration date | The license term end date. | Project start date and expected schedule. | Expiration before or during the planned work. |
| Classification | A, B, B-2 or exact C classification displayed on the record. | Every major trade in the written scope. | Active license but wrong project classification. |
| Personnel / qualifier | People connected to the license. | Who is selling, supervising or qualifying the work. | The contractor cannot explain who the qualifier is. |
| Bond | Surety name, bond number, amount and effective history. | Contract date and project period. | A cancellation or lapse overlapping your contract. |
| Workers’ compensation | Carrier, policy or permitted exemption. | Actual workers expected on your job. | A no-employee exemption while a crew is promised. |
| Public disclosure | Disciplinary, legal-action or complaint information CSLB displays. | Dates, allegation type and final disposition. | A material issue dismissed with “don’t worry about it.” |
Match the California License Classification to the Work
California contractor licensing is classification-based. A license can be active and still not fit the project if the classification does not cover the work being sold.
General Engineering
Used for engineering and fixed-works construction. Do not assume an A license automatically fits ordinary residential remodeling or specialty trade work.
General Building
Often relevant where the project involves general building work and more than one unrelated trade. Specialty work can still require the proper specialty license or subcontractor.
Residential Remodeling
Used for defined improvements to existing residential wood-frame structures. Check CSLB’s B-2 limits before assuming it covers structural, electrical, mechanical or plumbing system work.
Specialty Contractors
C classifications cover trade-specific work such as electrical, plumbing, roofing, HVAC, concrete, glazing, drywall, flooring and many other specialties.
Limited Specialty
C-61 work is limited to the field or subcategory accepted by CSLB. Read the exact description before treating it as a broad remodeling license.
Home Improvement Salesperson
An HIS registration is for a person who sells or negotiates home improvement contracts for a contractor. It is not the contractor license itself.
When Is a California Contractor License Required in 2026?
California’s small-job exception is narrow. Do not treat “under $1,000” as a broad permission slip.
$1,000 or more
A CSLB license is generally required when the total project price is $1,000 or more for labor, materials and other project items.
Permit-required work
The casual/minor-work exemption does not apply when the project requires a construction or building permit, even if the price is below $1,000.
Employee or additional worker use
The exemption does not apply when the unlicensed person uses employees or additional workers under the current California rule.
Read the Bond and Workers’ Compensation Sections Correctly
The bond and insurance area of the CSLB record is easy to misunderstand. A license bond is not a workmanship guarantee, and a workers’ compensation exemption should make sense against the people who will be on your property.
Contractor bond
Active California contractor licenses generally require a $25,000 contractor bond or an accepted alternative. On the license detail page, check the surety, bond number, amount and history dates.
Qualifying individual bond
A separate $25,000 Bond of Qualifying Individual can be required for certain qualifying individuals. Do not assume the contractor bond and qualifier bond are the same document.
LLC license protection
A California contractor LLC generally has an additional $100,000 employee/worker bond and liability insurance requirements. Match the license entity before relying on those protections.
Workers’ compensation
California employers generally need workers’ compensation coverage. CSLB also requires active C-8, C-20, C-22, C-39 and C-61/D-49 contractors to maintain workers’ comp or valid self-insurance even when they report no employees.
California Home Improvement Contract and Down Payment Rules
For California home improvement projects over $500, a written contract is required. The contract should not be a one-line estimate. It should tell you who is licensed, what work is being performed, what materials are included, how payment works and who is responsible for permits.
Contract details to verify
- CSLB license number and legal business name.
- Project address and detailed scope of work.
- Start date, substantial completion date and payment schedule.
- Permit responsibility and inspection expectations.
- Three-day right-to-cancel notice where applicable.
- Home Improvement Salesperson registration if a salesperson negotiated the contract.
Down payment limit
For a home improvement job or swimming pool project, the down payment generally cannot exceed $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract price, whichever is less, excluding finance charges.
Progress payments should track work performed or materials delivered. Do not pay far ahead of the job.
Verify the Local Permit, Not Just the State License
Use the project address to identify the permitting jurisdiction. Inside city limits, start with the city building department. In an unincorporated area, start with the county building authority.
| Project area | Official permit source | What to compare | Local help |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | LADBS Plan Check & Permit | Property address, permit scope, contractor name and inspection status. | 311 in Los Angeles or 213-473-3231 outside the area. |
| San Diego | San Diego DSD Records | Permit/application record, job address and project status. | 619-446-5000 |
| San José | San José Permits | Address, APN, permit/file details and inspection notices. | 408-535-3555 |
| Sacramento | Sacramento Permit Services | Public permit record, work description and applicant information. | 916-808-5318 |
| San Francisco | SF DBI Permit Tracking | Building, electrical, plumbing permits and complaint tracking. | 628-652-3200 |
| Oakland | Oakland Online Permit Center | Building, planning and code enforcement records where available. | 510-238-3606 for records questions. |
| Long Beach | Long Beach Permit Status | Address, permit status, project number and plan-review status. | 562-570-PMIT (7648) |
| Fresno | Fresno Building & Safety | Permit type, project address, inspection request and final status. | 559-621-8084 |
Complaints, Unlicensed Activity and Bond Claims
CSLB can investigate complaints involving licensed and unlicensed contractors, but a CSLB complaint is not the same as a bond claim, civil lawsuit or small claims case. Choose the path based on what actually happened.
File a CSLB complaint when
- The contractor abandons the job.
- The work is poor, unsafe or not according to the agreement.
- The contractor asks for an illegal down payment.
- The contractor fails to pay subcontractors or material suppliers.
- You believe unlicensed contracting or misleading advertising occurred.
Start a bond claim when
A contractor’s bond may be relevant when a licensed contractor violates contractor license law and the bond conditions. Consumers file bond claims with the surety company that wrote the bond, not with CSLB as the surety processor.
Use the license detail page to identify the surety company, bond number and bond history for the date of your contract.
CSLB Contact Details
Use CSLB for statewide contractor license records, licensing questions, complaint routing and public information. Use your local building department for permits and inspections.
Contractors State License Board Headquarters
When to call instead of guessing
- The license status is not active or is hard to interpret.
- The classification looks close but not exact.
- The bond or workers’ compensation history has a gap.
- The contract/payee name does not match the license entity.
- You suspect unlicensed activity on a permit-required project.
California Contractor License Lookup FAQs
What is the official California contractor license lookup?
The official lookup is CSLB’s “Check a Contractor License or Home Improvement Salesperson Registration” page. It lets you search by contractor license number, business name, personnel name or HIS registration.
What should I check on a CSLB license record?
Check the legal business name, license status, expiration date, classification, personnel, contractor bond, workers’ compensation and public disclosure sections. Compare those fields with the bid, contract, permit and payment recipient.
Is an active CSLB license enough to hire?
No. Active status is only one part of the check. The license also needs the right classification for the job, current bond and workers’ compensation information where required, and a clean match to the contract and permit record.
When does California require a contractor license?
A California contractor license is generally required when the project is $1,000 or more for labor and materials, when a building permit is required, or when the person uses employees or additional workers.
Is the California written home improvement contract threshold also $1,000?
No. California still requires a written home improvement contract for projects over $500. That is separate from the current $1,000 contractor-license trigger.
How much can a California contractor request upfront?
For a home improvement job or swimming pool project, the down payment generally cannot be more than $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract price, whichever is less.
Does a CSLB bond guarantee the contractor will finish my job?
No. A contractor license bond is not the same as a performance guarantee or full insurance policy. It may provide a claim route in certain situations, but it does not automatically cover the full cost of a failed project.
Should I check the Home Improvement Salesperson registration?
Yes, when a salesperson solicits, sells, negotiates or executes a home improvement contract for a contractor. The HIS registration is separate from the contractor license.
Do I still need to check the building permit?
Yes. CSLB licenses contractors statewide, but the city or county usually controls the building permit and inspection record for the property. Check the local permit portal before major work begins.
Can I file a complaint with CSLB?
Yes. CSLB accepts complaints involving licensed and unlicensed contractors within its jurisdiction. A complaint may lead to investigation or discipline, but it is not the same as a surety bond claim or civil lawsuit.
Final California Hiring Check
Before you hire, match the CSLB license, classification, bond, workers’ compensation record, contract name, permit record and payment recipient. The safest California contractor check is boring, dated and official.
Use the CSLB record first, then use the local permit record to confirm the job at the property address.