How to check a California contractor's license

When a California contractor needs a license

California licenses contractors through the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). According to CSLB, anyone who contracts to perform work on a project that requires a building permit, uses employee labor, or contracts for work valued at $1,000 or more for combined labor and materials must hold a current, valid CSLB license.

Below that threshold, a person without a license may advertise small jobs, but CSLB requires the advertisement to say they are not licensed.

How to look up a license

CSLB's Check A License tool is free and public. You can search in several ways:

• By license number: the most exact search. Ask the contractor for it; it should also appear on bids, contracts and advertising.
• By business name: useful when you only know the company name. Try shorter versions of the name if nothing comes up.
• By personnel name: finds the license a named person is associated with, such as an owner or officer.
• By Home Improvement Salesperson (HIS) registration: checks a salesperson who sells home improvement work for a contractor.

You can also call CSLB at 800-321-CSLB (2752).

What the license statuses mean

Active

The contractor may contract for work in the classifications listed on the license. CSLB says active licenses expire every two years and must be renewed, so also look at the expiration date.

Inactive

An inactive license is on hold. CSLB says that while a license is inactive, the holder is not entitled to practice as a contractor or submit a bid for work.

Expired

The license was not renewed by its expiration date. CSLB says work performed with an expired license is considered unlicensed contracting. A license can also show as expired for a short time if a renewal was received but not yet processed, so if the date is recent, ask the contractor and check again.

Suspended

A suspended license cannot be used to contract for work until the suspension is cleared. CSLB lists common reasons, including:

• The surety company cancelled a required bond.
• The workers' compensation policy was cancelled or expired.
• A civil court judgment was not reported or resolved in time.
• A departed qualifying individual (RMO or RME) was not replaced within 90 days.
• A violation of the Contractors License Law or an unresolved outstanding liability.

A status is a fact about the license on the day you look. It is worth checking again right before you sign and before you make payments.

What else to check on the license record

• Classification: CSLB issues licenses in many classifications, such as C-39 Roofing or C-10 Electrical. A specialty contractor should hold the classification for the work. CSLB notes that a "B" General Building contractor may take on a job that requires more than two types of work on a building.
• Business name: the name on your contract should match the name on the license record.
• Bond: CSLB shows the contractor's bond and surety on the license detail. See our guide to the California contractor license bond.
• Workers' compensation: the license detail shows the workers' compensation policy or exemption on file. See our guide to workers' compensation for California contractors.

Before you sign

• Get a written contract. For home improvement work, CSLB says the down payment cannot be more than $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract price, whichever is less.
• Ask who will pull the building permit. A licensed contractor who does permit-required work without a permit violates state law. See what a building permit tells you.
• Keep copies of the license lookup, contract, payments and messages.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm current requirements with the agency that issues the license or permit. Last reviewed Sep 29, 2026.