Last updated: August 31st, 2026
Below is a useful list of resources for new contractors who are just starting their businesses in California.
Launching a contracting business can involve much more than obtaining your CSLB license. Depending on your business structure, employees, taxes, location, and services, you may need to work with several state, federal, and local agencies.
Use this guide as a starting point for finding the right government resources.
Best for: General consumer and professional licensing information.
The California Department of Consumer Affairs oversees numerous licensing boards and bureaus, including the Contractors State License Board. Its resources can help with consumer questions, professional licensing information, complaints, and locating the appropriate regulatory agency.
Consumer Information Center: 800-952-5210
California Department of Consumer Affairs
Best for: Finding state and local permits, licenses, and registration requirements.
CalGOLD helps businesses identify permits, licenses, registrations, and regulatory requirements that may apply based on business type and location.
For a new contractor, it can be especially useful when researching:
Best for: Sales and use tax, seller’s permits, and state-administered special taxes and fees.
Older versions of this resource listed the State Board of Equalization (BOE) as the primary agency for sales and use tax.
That information is outdated.
The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) now administers California’s sales and use tax programs along with numerous special taxes and fees.
Contractors may use CDTFA resources for:
California Department of Tax and Fee Administration
The State Board of Equalization still exists, but its responsibilities are much narrower than they were before California reorganized its tax administration.
Best for: California income and franchise tax requirements.
The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) administers California personal and business income taxes.
Contractors can use FTB resources for:
California Franchise Tax Board
Best for: Payroll taxes and California employer requirements.
If your contracting business hires employees, the California Employment Development Department (EDD) becomes an important resource.
EDD provides information involving:
Employers who meet California’s registration thresholds can register and manage payroll-tax accounts through EDD’s e-Services for Business.
California Employment Development Department
Best for: Federal taxes and federal Employer Identification Numbers.
The IRS provides federal business-tax information covering:
Best for: Starting, financing, and managing a small business.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides resources for entrepreneurs and established small-business owners.
Resources include:
U.S. Small Business Administration
Best for: Finding California and federal tax resources in one place.
The California Tax Service Center is a joint resource involving several state and federal tax agencies.
It provides centralized information involving:
The participating agencies include CDTFA, EDD, FTB, the IRS, and the State Board of Equalization for the functions BOE continues to administer.
Best for: California workers’ compensation information.
The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) is part of the California Department of Industrial Relations.
It provides information for employers, injured workers, claims administrators, medical providers, and other participants in California’s workers’ compensation system.
Contractors can use DWC resources to better understand:
Remember that contractor workers’ compensation requirements can also depend on CSLB rules, employees, qualifier status, and license classification.
California Division of Workers’ Compensation
Best for: Financial services, lending, banking, investments, and financial consumer protection.
Older versions of this article listed the Department of Business Oversight (DBO).
That agency is now the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI).
DFPI regulates and oversees a wide range of financial institutions, products, and services, including:
DFPI also provides consumer information and accepts complaints involving financial services within its jurisdiction.
California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation
Best for: Insurance companies, agents, brokers, and insurance licensing information.
The California Department of Insurance regulates the state’s insurance industry.
Resources include:
This can be particularly useful when researching insurers, agents, brokers, workers’ compensation coverage, and business insurance.
California Department of Insurance
Best for: Forming and maintaining California business entities.
The California Secretary of State’s Business Programs Division handles filings and records for business entities including:
New contractors forming corporations or LLCs can use the Secretary of State’s resources to:
Contractors should make sure their Secretary of State records remain consistent with information reported to CSLB.
California Secretary of State – Business Programs
Best for: Charitable organizations, trusts, and fundraising organizations.
The California Attorney General’s Registry of Charities and Fundraisers oversees charitable organizations and certain entities and individuals that solicit or hold charitable assets.
This resource is primarily relevant if your organization operates as or interacts with a charitable entity rather than a typical for-profit contracting business.
California Registry of Charities and Fundraisers
Best for: Importing and exporting goods.
Contractors or construction businesses that import products, equipment, tools, or materials may need information from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
CBP provides resources involving:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Best for: Federal business, trade, economic, standards, patent, and trademark resources.
The U.S. Department of Commerce supports businesses through a wide range of federal agencies and programs.
Its responsibilities include areas involving:
Best for: Businesses planning to start, relocate, or expand operations in California.
California Business Investment Services (CalBIS), part of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), assists companies considering investment or expansion in California.
CalBIS resources include:
These services can be useful for contractors planning significant expansion, opening additional locations, or investing in larger California operations.
California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development
Best for: California business and employer resources.
The California Chamber of Commerce provides resources involving:
Some CalChamber resources are free, while others require membership or payment.
California Chamber of Commerce
Best for: Locating county governments and local agencies.
Many contractor requirements are handled locally rather than at the state level.
Depending on your business and location, the appropriate city or county agency may handle:
The California State Association of Counties can help you identify California counties and find the appropriate local government.
California State Association of Counties
You probably won’t need every agency on this list.
For many California contractors, the most common starting points include:
Your exact requirements depend on:
Starting a contracting business in California means dealing with more than just the Contractors State License Board.
Taxes, business entities, payroll, insurance, workers’ compensation, permits, and local requirements may each involve a different government agency.
Two particularly important updates to older contractor-resource lists are:
Keeping your resource list current makes it much easier to find accurate information when you’re starting or growing your contracting business.
If you have specific questions about California contractor licensing, let me know and I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction.
