Last updated: August 31st, 2026
When hiring a contractor to complete a construction project, you want to make sure you’re working with a properly licensed professional.
Reviews, recommendations, experience, and pricing all matter, but verifying a contractor’s license should be high on your list before signing a contract.
Fortunately, the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) makes it easy to look up a contractor and review important licensing information.
Here’s how to check a contractor’s license in California and what you should look for before hiring them.
California generally requires a contractor license if:
California’s minor-work exemption applies only when all three conditions are satisfied:
A larger project also cannot be divided into smaller contracts in an attempt to qualify for the exemption.
Before hiring someone for work that requires a contractor license, use CSLB’s online tools to verify that the license is valid and appropriate for the work being performed.
Start by obtaining the contractor’s license number.
California contractors are required to include their license number in many forms of advertising, so you may see it on:
You can also ask the contractor directly.
California contractor license numbers contain numbers only and can be searched through CSLB’s online database.
Go directly to the official CSLB Check a License tool.
You can search for a contractor using:
Searching by license number is usually the fastest and most precise option.
Once you locate the contractor, review the license record carefully.
Look at whether the license is:
If the project requires a contractor license, make sure the contractor’s license is in the appropriate status for the work they are offering to perform.
A contractor license number alone doesn’t tell you whether the contractor is licensed for your particular type of work.
Review the classifications listed on the license.
For example:
Make sure the contractor holds a classification that authorizes the work you’re hiring them to perform.
You can review California contractor license classifications if you’re unsure which classification applies.
CSLB’s license records may include information about publicly disclosed complaints, disciplinary actions, judgments, or other reportable matters.
Review anything CSLB has made publicly available on the contractor’s license record.
However, don’t assume that the absence of a displayed complaint means CSLB has never received a complaint about the contractor.
California law limits which complaints and actions CSLB can publicly disclose, and CSLB’s license lookup itself notes these disclosure limitations.
The better approach is to review:
Use this information as one part of your overall contractor evaluation.
The CSLB license record also provides workers’ compensation information.
Workers’ compensation requirements depend on the contractor’s employees, qualifier, classification, and other circumstances.
Eligible contractors who have no employees may be able to file an Exemption from Workers’ Compensation Insurance with CSLB.
So seeing an exemption on a contractor’s record does not automatically mean something is wrong.
However, not every contractor is eligible to use that exemption.
Current California law requires active contractors holding certain classifications to maintain workers’ compensation insurance or a valid Certification of Self-Insurance even if they have no employees.
These include:
Contractors with a Responsible Managing Employee (RME) also generally cannot use the standard no-employee exemption because the RME is an employee.
If you’re checking one of these classifications and the license shows a standard no-employee workers’ compensation exemption, investigate further before hiring.
You can review CSLB’s Workers’ Compensation Requirements for current rules.
An active California contractor license generally requires a $25,000 Contractor’s Bond.
CSLB’s license record can show bond information associated with the contractor.
The contractor bond is part of California’s contractor licensing requirements and provides specified protections under contractor license law.
It is not the same as:
Checking that the required bond is current is another useful step when reviewing a contractor’s license.
If you prefer to verify a contractor by phone, you can contact the Contractors State License Board at:
800-321-2752
Follow the automated prompts for license information or additional assistance.
If you don’t know the contractor’s license number, CSLB’s online search by business name or personnel name may be the easiest place to start.
A valid contractor license is important, but it shouldn’t be the only thing you evaluate.
Before hiring a contractor, consider checking:
For larger projects, consider getting multiple bids so you can compare scope, price, materials, and contract terms—not simply choose the lowest number.
California generally requires a contractor license when:
For the minor-work exemption to apply, the project must cost less than $1,000, require no building permit, and use no employee labor.
All three conditions must be satisfied.
Yes.
Use the official CSLB Check a License tool.
You can search by license number, business name, or personnel name.
Review:
No.
CSLB’s public complaint disclosures are restricted by law.
The license lookup may show qualifying publicly disclosed complaints or disciplinary actions, but the absence of a public complaint listing should not be interpreted as proof that no complaint has ever been submitted.
Yes.
Eligible contractors with no employees can still file a workers’ compensation exemption.
However, the standard exemption is not available in certain circumstances, including contractors holding:
Those classifications currently require workers’ compensation insurance or approved self-insurance even when there are no employees.
No.
Licensing is an important first check, but you should also verify that the contractor holds the correct classification for your work and evaluate their experience, references, contract terms, and reputation.
Checking a contractor’s license takes only a few minutes and can tell you a lot before you sign a contract.
Start with the official CSLB Check a License tool and review:
Remember that California’s licensing exemption isn’t simply based on staying below $1,000.
The project must be under $1,000, require no building permit, and use no employee labor for the minor-work exemption to apply.
If you’re a contractor or looking to become a California-licensed contractor, Contractors License Guru can help with applications, exam preparation, classifications, and CSLB licensing requirements.
Contact Contractors License Guru if you need help navigating the California contractor licensing process.
