California general contractor license and insurance requirements

California general contractor license and insurance requirements

Amy Beardsley
By Amy Beardsley
Jan 19, 2024
8 min read
Linkedin

A California general contractor license is challenging to get, but the rewards can be well worth it. California general contractors earn a median salary of $140,903 per year, according to the Economic Research Institute.

Once you get your license, you’ll be set to start work in the Golden State on residential or commercial projects. Here’s what you should know about California general contractor licensing and insurance to get your business up and running.

In this post, we’ll cover:

How to become a contractor in California

Deciding to start a general contracting business means committing to staying educated in the trade and gaining many years of experience. While most states require a general contractor license, California is particularly stringent. No need to worry, though, as we’ll explain the process step by step.

What are the requirements to get a general contractor license in California?

California’s general contractor license requirements are standardized state-wide. Qualifying individuals that can get a general contractor license must:

  • Be 18 or older with a valid Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number.
  • Have had four years of qualifying experience (journey-level, foreman, supervisor or contractor) within the past 10 years.
  • Pass a two-part exam through the California Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB).

There are no specific educational requirements, although you may submit technical school or college credit for a portion of the work experience requirement. Apprenticeships and military experience may also qualify.

California offers three different types of contractor license classifications. The first two allow you to serve as a general contractor in the construction industry:

  • Class A General Engineering Contractor: For specialized engineering projects, such as irrigation, flood control, hydroelectric projects, railroads, streets and roads, playgrounds, and power and utility plants.
  • Class B General Building Contractor: To manage construction projects involving structures to support and shelter people, animals or movable property, including home improvement, using two or more unrelated trades.
  • Class C Specialty Contractor: For construction businesses involving specialized building trades or crafts such as services or testing fire extinguishing systems, installing carpet or flooring, or preparing or removing roadway construction zones or traffic diversion.

The two biggest challenges for obtaining a California general contractor license are passing the exam and paying all the fees.

The exam is intentionally difficult, and you are unlikely to pass it without studying. Numerous general contractor license schools can help you prepare for the exam. While enrolling in a licensed contractor exam school can be a reasonable option, it’s crucial to check reviews to make sure you choose a strong program.

You can prepare on your own by studying the California general contractor license study guide offered by the Contractors State License Board.

How much does it cost to get a CA general contractor license?

You will need to pay a series of fees, including but not limited to a $450 license application fee and a $200 initial license fee.

You will also need to post a contractor license bond or cash deposit. Effective January 1, 2023, the amount increases from $15,000 to $25,000.

How to get a general contractor license in California

Getting a general contractor license in California is a step-by-step process.

The first step is ensuring you meet all the requirements and then apply for the contractor license exam. Once your application is processed, you will receive instructions on submitting your fingerprints and taking the open-book Asbestos exam online.

After passing the exam, you will be notified of the next steps, including posting your surety bond or cash deposit. You must also submit proof of workers’ compensation insurance if you have at least one employee or are applying as a concrete, HVAC, asbestos abatement, roofing, or tree service contractor whether or not you have employees.

How long does it take to get a general contractor license?

It can take about three weeks to be approved to take the licensing exam, and there is no way to speed up the process.

Fortunately, when you take the exam, you will know your results before leaving the testing center. It should take less than two weeks to receive your wall certificate and pocket license card.

April 2020 9b

General contractor license renewal requirements

Active general contractor licenses in California expire every two years. You’ll get a renewal application about two months before your license expires. After submitting the form and paying the $450 renewal fee, you can check your license status online to track its progress.

Keep in mind that the business name on your license renewal must match the CSLB’s records and the name on file with the Secretary of State.

General contractor license reciprocity in CA

California has reciprocity requirements if you have a general contractor license from Arizona, Louisiana or Nevada. First, your license must match the state’s Reciprocal Classification List. You must also have held an active license in good standing for at least five years.

You can submit a verification request to validate your license and complete the application if you meet the criteria. The process is typically faster than applying for an initial general contractor license because the CSLB offers a trade exam waiver as part of its reciprocity guidelines.

Local California general contractor business license requirements

In addition to state requirements for general contractor businesses, make sure to check local requirements in California, too.

Los Angeles

Before launching your general contractor business in Los Angeles, you’ve got to have a Business Tax Registration Certificate. It’s a rule under Section 21.188, and the Los Angeles Office of Finance ensures everyone’s playing by the book by checking construction sites.

Part of the process involves filling out and submitting a list of your subcontractors, which helps speed up the review.

In Los Angeles, contractors are subject to specific insurance mandates. For commercial projects, you need to have a minimum general liability limit of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million in total. And the City of Los Angeles should be listed as the Certificate holder and Additional Insured.

For residential projects, the minimum personal liability limit is $300,000. You’ll need to show proof of this insurance by uploading it to KwikComply, the city’s insurance risk management system.

Lastly, LA is a mixed bag. It’s got high-rise buildings, complex infrastructure projects, and a variety of commercial and residential work. But it’s also got its share of high crime rates, earthquakes, wildfires and mudslides. So, when researching general contractor insurance coverage in LA, consider these important factors.

San Diego

Thinking of opening up shop in San Diego? You’ll need a Business Tax Certificate, which functions as a business license and shows you’ve paid your business taxes. But remember, this certificate doesn’t replace any other permits or licenses you might need under state or local law.

If you’re a residential contractor working with the Housing Commission in San Diego, you need to maintain insurance coverage. This includes:

Contractors must also provide various written endorsements, such as a waiver of subrogation for workers’ compensation and additional insured endorsements for general liability.

San Jose

If San Jose is where you’ll be based, you’ve got to get a Business Tax Certificate within 90 days of starting your operations. But keep in mind, this certificate doesn’t mean you’ve met all the other permits or licenses you might need from the city, county, state or federal government.

San Francisco

General contractors operating in San Francisco are required to have a valid San Francisco Business License. Alternatively, contractors can present a temporary Business Tax Certificate in place of the business license.

In San Francisco, contractors must adhere to specific city mandates beyond state requirements in 2023. The Minimum Compensation Ordinance sets rates at $20.22/hour for for-profit, $18.93/hour for non-profit, and $19.25/hour for public entities, with scheduled increases.

The Health Care Accountability Ordinance requires payments of $6.35/hour to San Francisco General Hospital, capped at $254/week.

When it comes to insurance, it’s important to keep in mind that the city is located near two major earthquake faults (San Andreas and Hayward), making commercial earthquake insurance a wise precaution.

Insurance requirements for California general contractors

The most popular type of business insurance in California is usually a combination of general liability, professional liability, and commercial auto insurance. Additionally, California requires businesses with employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance coverage.

The state of California has no additional general contractor insurance requirements. However, many businesses opt to purchase insurance coverage to lessen their financial risk. You’ll often find that many clients and projects also require proof of insurance before you can start work.

General Liability insurance

California general liability insurance helps cover third-party bodily injury and property damage, as well as libel, slander and defamation.

Whether a client trips over your toolbox, you drop your hammer and dent a customer’s floor, or you say something disparaging about your biggest competitor, general liability can help protect you from financial risk.

Workers’ Compensation insurance

Workers’ compensation insurance is required if you have employees, as well as for all concrete, HVAC, asbestos abatement, tree service or roofing contractors in California. This coverage will protect you and your employees if there is an on-the-job injury or illness.

Tools and Equipment insurance

The tools and equipment you need to complete contractor jobs can be costly. Tools and equipment insurance can protect your gear by paying for repairs and replacement if damaged or stolen.

Commercial Auto insurance

Business use of a vehicle is not typically covered by personal auto insurance. Any vehicles owned by your company should be covered by a commercial auto insurance policy.

Depending on the specifics of your policy, commercial auto insurance may include bodily injury and property damage to someone else, personal injury to you or your employees, collision damage to the vehicle, and coverage for non-collision damage to the vehicle.

Commercial Property insurance

If your contracting business owns or rents property, commercial property insurance in California protects against liability for loss or damage that can happen.

How NEXT supports California general contractors

NEXT is trusted by hundreds of thousands of small businesses, including California general contractors. You can learn more about the costs of general contractor insurance packages NEXT offers to business owners like you.

Our online services allow you to apply for coverage and receive your certificate of insurance in just minutes, even if you’re using your cell phone from a job site. You can share unlimited digital certificates for no additional charge, letting you easily submit proof of insurance whenever you need it.

Get your instant quote today.

banner get business insurance in 10
Amy Beardsley
About the author

Amy Beardsley, insurance expert and contributing writer at NEXT Insurance, is a content marketing writer who specializes in small business coverage. Leveraging her background in the legal field, Amy brings a deep understanding of laws, regulations, and compliance requirements to her work. As a content marketing writer since 2016, she has contributed to publications like Legal & General, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, Insurify, and NerdWallet. Her work has also appeared in CNBC, Kiplinger, and US News. When she’s not writing, Amy enjoys playing cards with her family and experimenting with new recipes.

What we cover
Chat with Us

Mon – Fri | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CT

FacebookInstagramTiktokTwitterLinkedinYoutube
© 2024 Next Insurance, Inc. 975 California Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States
Better Business Bureau
Issuance of coverage is subject to underwriting. Not available in all states. Please see the policy for full terms, conditions and exclusions. Coverage examples are for illustrative purposes only. Your policy documents govern, terms and exclusions apply. Coverage is dependent on actual facts and circumstances giving rise to a claim. Next Insurance, Inc. and/or its affiliates is an insurance agency licensed to sell certain insurance products and may receive compensation from insurance companies for such sales. Policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the issuing insurance company. Refer to Legal Notices section for additional information.

Any starting prices or premiums represented before an actual customer quote are not guaranteed and are representations of existing premiums of active policies as of December 6, 2023. To the extent permitted by law, applicants are individually underwritten, not all applicants may qualify. Individual rates and savings vary and are subject to change. Discounts and savings are available where state laws and regulations allow, and may vary by state. Certain discounts apply to specific coverages only.