Last updated: August 28th, 2026
Understanding current CSLB fees is an important part of planning for a California contractor license. The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) charges fees for applications, initial license issuance, renewals, and certain license changes, while contractor examination fees are now paid separately and directly to PSI.
Knowing these costs before you apply can help you budget for the licensing process and avoid surprises later.
The main costs applicants and licensees should know include:
Additional fees can apply for late renewals, inactive licenses, classification changes, qualifier changes, personnel changes, and other transactions.
The current fee for an Application for Original Contractor License is $450 for one classification.
This fee is separate from the initial license fee that becomes due later in the licensing process. For a standard original license:
| License Entity | Application Fee | Initial License Fee | Total CSLB Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole Owner | $450 | $200 | $650 |
| Non-Sole Owner | $450 | $350 | $800 |
The $450 application fee is generally non-refundable, so it is important to make sure the correct application is completed accurately before submitting it.
One of the biggest changes to the California contractor licensing process is how examination fees are handled.
CSLB no longer collects the contractor examination fee as part of the application process.
After CSLB reviews and approves an application for testing, the applicant receives a Notice to Schedule an Examination. The applicant then schedules and pays for each required examination directly through PSI.
The current PSI examination fee is $51.43 per examination. If you need both the Law & Business and trade examinations, each exam carries a separate fee. Retakes also require another examination fee paid directly to PSI.
Applicants have 18 months after CSLB accepts the application to pass the required examinations. If an examination is failed, there is generally a 21-calendar-day waiting period before another attempt.
Passing the required examinations does not automatically issue the contractor license.
Once CSLB determines that the applicant has satisfied the applicable licensing requirements, an initial license fee is required.
Current initial license fees are:
“Non-sole owner” includes entities such as corporations, partnerships, LLCs, and joint ventures.
The initial fee covers the license for its initial two-year licensing period.
California contractor licenses generally must be renewed every two years.
Current renewal fees are:
| Renewal Type | Sole Owner | Non-Sole Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Active Timely Renewal | $450 | $700 |
| Active Delinquent Renewal | $675 | $1,050 |
| Inactive Timely Renewal | $300 | $500 |
| Inactive Delinquent Renewal | $450 | $750 |
C-10 Electrical contractors currently pay an additional $20 on active renewal fees. For example, a timely active C-10 renewal is currently $470 for a sole owner and $720 for a non-sole owner.
Renewing on time avoids the delinquent penalty and helps prevent interruptions to your ability to contract legally.
Other licensing transactions may carry separate fees.
Examples of current CSLB fees include:
CSLB can update its fee schedule, so applicants should check the current official fee list before submitting a transaction.
Applicants who are required to complete Live Scan fingerprinting should also budget for fingerprint-related fees.
Current state processing charges include:
The Live Scan operator sets the rolling fee, so the total fingerprinting cost can differ by location.
Payment options depend on the application or transaction.
For many mailed CSLB applications and forms, payment is made by check or money order. CSLB’s Sacramento headquarters also accepts certain in-person payments.
Some online transactions allow credit-card payment. For example, the online sole-owner original license application accepts credit cards and currently adds a 2.3% credit-card processing fee.
Remember that exam payments are different: examination fees are paid directly to PSI, not CSLB.
CSLB and PSI fees are only part of the total cost of becoming a licensed contractor.
Depending on your situation, you may also need to budget for:
The exact total will depend on your business entity, classification, insurance needs, bond premium, and whether you need to retake an examination.
The current original contractor license application fee is $450 for one classification.
The initial license fee is currently $200 for a sole owner and $350 for a non-sole owner. This is separate from the $450 application fee.
No. Applicants now schedule and pay for their examinations directly through PSI after CSLB approves the application for testing.
The current fee is $51.43 for each examination registration. Applicants who need both Law & Business and a trade examination pay separately for each.
A timely active renewal currently costs $450 for a sole owner or $700 for a non-sole owner. Different fees apply to inactive, delinquent, and certain C-10 renewals.
The original application fee is generally non-refundable. PSI examination registration fees are also non-refundable and non-transferable under PSI’s current testing bulletin.
Understanding the current CSLB fees makes it easier to budget for your contractor license before beginning the application process.
The biggest distinction to remember is that CSLB application and licensing fees are separate from PSI examination fees. Applicants pay CSLB for the application and license, while examination scheduling and payment are handled directly through PSI.
Because fees can change, always verify the current CSLB and PSI fee schedules before submitting your application or renewal.
