In California, if a person wants to bid on big construction projects, she must have a
Who Needs a Contractor License in California?
The California State Licensing Board (CSLB) is the agency in charge of contractor licenses in the state. The CSLB doesn't just license one type of contractor;
No matter the specialty, a contractor must have a license to bid on a job that exceeds $500. Only a contractor with a license in a specialty can bid on a job in that specialty. For example, a plumbing contractor cannot bid on an electrical or landscaping job. Even a general contractor must hold a specialty license before bidding a specialty job.
Difference Between a General and Specialty Contractor
California licenses two types of general building contractors and general engineering contractors. These general contractors can bid on specialty jobs if they hold that
They are most often hired to coordinate work when two or more specialty contractors
A person would hire a specialty contractor rather than a general contractor when he only wants to get a single job done. For example, if the person wanted his plumbing redone or his electricity updated, he could
Taking the Contractor License Exam
A candidate gets an application from the California Contractors State License Board by calling 1-800-321-2752. That's also where the schedule for exams
If a candidate has passed either or both
What Else Is Required for a Contractor License?
To
After passing the tests, she must fulfill her financial responsibilities. She must get bonded through an insurance company in the amount mandated (
How to Check a Contractor's License in California
Anyone about to hire a contractor should
References
- Contractors State Licensing Board: Welcome to the Contractors State License Board
- Home Prep: California Contractors License (CA) Education, Exam Prep, Licensing
- CSLB: A Guide to Contractor License Bonds:
- Contractors State Licensing Board: Check a Contractor License or Home Improvement Salesperson (HIS) Registration
Writer Bio
Teo Spengler earned a JD from U.C. Berkeley Law School. As an Assistant Attorney General in Juneau, she practiced before the Alaska Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court before opening a plaintiff's personal injury practice in San Francisco. She holds both an MA and an MFA in English/writing and enjoys writing legal blogs and articles. Her work has appeared in numerous online publications including USA Today, Legal Zoom, eHow Business, Livestrong, SF Gate, Go Banking Rates, Arizona Central, Houston Chronicle, Navy Federal Credit Union, Pearson, Quicken.com, TurboTax.com, and numerous attorney websites. Spengler splits her time between the French Basque Country and Northern California.