California Contractor
License State Exam
Work Experience Application Requirements
You must be at least 18
years of age to apply for a contractor license, with 4 years experience in your trade. You can claim self employment, you
may also claim both part time and full time experience. If you have an Associate or
Bachelor
degree, the state will allow you to use part of this experience towards your 4
years of full time experience.
For more details on work experience and educational credit, see our
FAQ'S page. You can also contact your
Course Director.
For application processing click here.
The
information listed below is the required fees and filings to receive a
California State Contractor License.
State
Application for Examination:
This fee is $300 (effective July 1, 2011)
and must be included with your state application. Send check or money order and make payable to: Registrar of
Contractors
State
Contractors License:
After you pass the exam, your license fee is $180 (effective July 1, 2011)
and is good for 2 years. When it
expires, you will need to re-new your license.
You will not be required to take the contractor state exam again.
Bonds
Contractors are legally required to maintain a form of security as a guarantee
that they will perform in a good and workmanlike manner. Surety bonds are
commonly used for this purpose.
Before an active contractor's
license can be issued or renewed, or a previously inactive license made active,
the licensee must have a contractor license bond on file with the CSLB.
The license bond must be in the amount of $12,500 for all classifications.
There is no longer a distinction between swimming pool contractors and construction
contractors.
Note: Getting a contractor bond is similar to getting
insurance, as you are paying a premium (price) to be bonded in the amount of
$12,500 for a certain length of time.
Renewal
A license bond is canceled 30
days from the date that CSLB receives a cancellation notice from a bond company.
If a bond reinstatement notice is not received by CSLB or a replacement bond is
not received by CSLB before the end of the 30-day period, the license is
suspended.
Avoid a license suspension by
renewing your bond promptly and making sure the effective date of the new bond
is the same as the cancellation date of the old bond.
