Construction / General Contractor License / California
- California
- General Contractor
- Building & Engineering
- Updated Oct 2026
How to Get Your California General Contractor License
This page covers California’s two general contractor licenses, the B General Building and the A General Engineering, from experience and exams to bonds, insurance and renewal with the Contractors State License Board.
Last updated October 27, 2026 from California Contractors State License Board requirements
Application fee
$450
Plus $51.43 per PSI exam and a $200–$350 initial license fee
Exam time
Not stated
Law & Business + trade exam
Time to get license
~4 yrs
4 years of experience within the last 10
Continuing ed
Not required
No CE for renewal
Overview
Do you need a California general contractor license?
Yes, if you contract general building or general engineering work in California. The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) issues these licenses, and every licensed contractor must keep a contractor’s bond on file.
License required when
- You contract work on structures that need at least two unrelated building trades (B General Building)
- You contract infrastructure and other fixed works that need specialized engineering knowledge and skill (A General Engineering)
- You do or superintend the whole job or any part of it as the contractor
Common exceptions
- Work that doesn’t involve two unrelated trades isn’t B General Building work
- Some A applicants may qualify for an exam waiver, per CSLB
Penalties for unlicensed work
Our source doesn’t list penalty amounts. CSLB licenses and disciplines contractors, and contracting without the right license can lead to enforcement action. Check with CSLB before you bid.
Your fast-track California general contractor license checklist
The California application, one page
- 4 years of qualifying experience in the last 10
- CSLB application approved for testing
- Passing scores on Law & Business and your B or A exam
- $15,000 contractor’s bond on file
- Workers’ comp certificate, if you have employees
- LLC worker bond and liability insurance, if you’re an LLC
Types
California general contractor license types and classifications
California splits general contracting into two classes. Both need the same experience, the Law & Business exam and a trade exam for your class.
B
Most common
General Building
Structures for the support, shelter and enclosure of people, animals or property that need at least two unrelated building trades.
Exam
Law & Business + B
Limit
Not stated
A
Infrastructure
General Engineering
Infrastructure and other fixed works that need specialized engineering knowledge and skill.
Exam
Law & Business + A
Limit
Not stated
Requirements
California general contractor license requirements, class by class
The B and A licenses share the same qualifications. Only the type of experience and the trade exam differ.
| Requirement | B General Building | A General Engineering |
|---|---|---|
| Experience | 4 years in the last 10, general building | 4 years in the last 10, general engineering |
| Experience level | Journeyman, foreman, supervisor, contractor or owner-builder | Journeyman, foreman, supervisor, contractor or owner-builder |
| Exams | Law & Business + B trade | Law & Business + A trade (waivers may apply) |
| Contractor’s bond | $15,000 | $15,000 |
| Qualifying individual bond (RME) | $12,500 | $12,500 |
| LLC worker bond | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| LLC liability insurance | $1M–$5M | $1M–$5M |
| Workers’ comp | Required with employees | Required with employees |
Steps
How to get your California general contractor license, step by step
- Get your experienceBefore you apply
You need at least 4 years of experience in the last 10 years, at journeyman level or above, or as a foreman, supervising employee, contractor or owner-builder. - Apply to CSLB for exam approvalApplication
Submit your application packet to CSLB. Forms are on the CSLB forms page, or call 800-321-2752. - Schedule your exams with PSIAfter approval
Once CSLB approves you for testing, book the Law & Business exam and your B or A trade exam through PSI. - Pass both examsExam day
Both exams are closed book, so you answer without reference materials. - File your bond and insuranceBefore licensing
File the $15,000 contractor’s bond, plus a $12,500 bond if an RME qualifies you. LLCs add a $100,000 worker bond and $1M–$5M in liability insurance. Show workers’ comp if you have employees. - Receive your licenseFinal step
CSLB issues your license once your exams, bond and insurance are on file.
Exam
What to expect on the California general contractor exam
Most applicants take two exams: Law & Business, which everyone takes, and the trade exam for the B or A class. Both are closed book.
Format
Closed book
Questions
Not stated
Passing score
Not stated
Exam vendor
PSI
Scoring & content
- B trade topics: planning and estimating, framing and structural components, core trades, finish trades, safety
- Law & Business topics: business organization, finances, employment, bonds, insurance and liens
- Law & Business also covers contracts, licensing requirements and public works
- No reference materials allowed during either exam
Retake policy
- Wait 21 calendar days after a failed attempt before you pay and reschedule
- Each retake costs another $51.43 exam fee, paid to PSI
- Scheduling runs through PSI after CSLB approval
- Check with CSLB for current retake rules
Exam references · Closed book
The state hasn’t published a reference list for this exam in our sources. Check the candidate bulletin from the exam vendor before you buy books.
The B General Building, A General Engineering and Law and Business exams are all closed book, so no references are allowed in the room.
Prep
Best California general contractor exam prep, compared
We haven’t compared prep courses for this exam yet.
Costs
How much does a California general contractor license cost?
| Item | Type | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | Fixed | $450 |
| Exam fees (paid to PSI) | Fixed | $51.43 per exam ($102.86 for Law & Business + trade) |
| Initial license fee | Fixed | $200 sole owner; $350 partnership, corporation or LLC |
| Fingerprinting (DOJ $32 + FBI $17) | Fixed | $49, plus the Live Scan site’s rolling fee |
| Contractor’s bond ($15,000 coverage) | Variable | Varies |
| RME bond ($12,500 coverage), if applicable | Variable | Varies |
| LLC worker bond and liability insurance | Variable | Varies |
| Workers’ comp insurance | Variable | Varies |
| State fees and exams | Sole owner: application, two PSI exams and initial license fee; excludes fingerprinting, bonds and insurance | $752.86 |
Fees from the CSLB List of All CSLB Fees and PSI’s CSLB examination information guides, checked October 2026.
Reciprocity
Does California accept out-of-state general contractor licenses?
California has reciprocity agreements for general building and general engineering contractors with four states. Our source doesn’t say exactly what each one waives, so confirm with CSLB.
Arizona — reciprocity agreement
What it waives isn’t stated in our source. Ask CSLB before you apply.
Louisiana — reciprocity agreement
What it waives isn’t stated in our source. Ask CSLB before you apply.
Nevada — reciprocity agreement
What it waives isn’t stated in our source. Ask CSLB before you apply.
Utah — reciprocity agreement
What it waives isn’t stated in our source. Ask CSLB before you apply.
All other states — no agreement
Apply as a new applicant and take both exams.
Local
Do California cities and counties have their own general contractor licensing rules?
Your CSLB license covers all of California. Cities and counties still handle permits for each job.
State handles
- Contractor licenses and classifications
- Exam approval, with testing through PSI
- Bond and insurance filings
- Discipline of licensees
City & county handle
- Building permits
- Inspections
- Local business licensing, where required
Governance
Who regulates general contractors in California
Oversight responsibilities
- Issues and renews contractor licenses
- Approves applicants to sit for exams
- Keeps contractor bonds and insurance on file
- Disciplines licensees
Maintenance
How to renew your California general contractor license and keep it active
California doesn’t require continuing education to renew a B or A license. Keep your bond and any required insurance current with CSLB. An active renewal is $450 for a sole owner or $700 for other entities.
Renewal cycle
Not stated
CE hours
None
Renewal fee
$450 sole owner; $700 other entities (active)
Late penalty
$675 sole owner; $1,050 other entities (active, fee plus penalty)
FAQ
California general contractor license FAQs
How much experience do I need for a California B license?
At least 4 years in the last 10 years, at journeyman level or above, or as a foreman, supervising employee, contractor or owner-builder.
What’s the difference between the A and B license?
The B covers buildings that need at least two unrelated trades. The A covers infrastructure and other fixed works that need specialized engineering knowledge.
Is the California contractor exam open book?
No. Both the Law & Business exam and the trade exam are closed book.
Who gives the California contractor exams?
PSI. You schedule after CSLB approves your application for testing.
What bond does a California contractor need?
A $15,000 contractor’s bond on file with CSLB. Add a $12,500 bond if an RME qualifies the license, and a $100,000 worker bond for LLCs.
Does California require continuing education?
No. There’s no CE requirement to renew a B or A license.
Does California have reciprocity?
Yes, with Arizona, Louisiana, Nevada and Utah. Check with CSLB for exactly what each agreement waives.
Sources
Official sources for the California general contractor license
- California Contractors State License Board, Forms and Applications
- California Contractors State License Board, bond and insurance requirements
- PSI, California contractor exam scheduling
- California Contractors State License Board, List of All CSLB Fees
- PSI, CSLB Law and Business Licensing Examination Information Guide
- PSI, CSLB General Building (B) Licensing Examination Information Guide
- California Contractors State License Board, My Original Exam Application was Accepted
Last updated October 27, 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Exam Insiders is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the California Contractors State License Board.