California contractor license lookup
Search 246,952 California contractor licenses from the Contractors State License Board, data as of Nov 2, 2026.
To check a California contractor license, search above by license number or by the business or licensee name. Each record shows the license status, every classification, and the bond and workers' comp on file in the CSLB's license data. Confirm on the CSLB's official Check a License page before you hire.
Licenses by status
Before you hire in California
- A license is suspended automatically when the contractor's bond or required workers' compensation lapses, so check both, not just the license.
- Our California data covers licenses that can be renewed; revoked or cancelled licenses are not in the board's bulk file. If a contractor isn't found here, check the CSLB directly.
Active California licenses by type
Primary classification of the 228,366 active licenses in the CSLB's file. Many contractors hold more than one classification; each record lists all of them.
| License type | Active |
|---|---|
| General Building | 94,508 |
| Electrical | 19,653 |
| General Engineering | 14,436 |
| Painting and Decorating | 11,957 |
| Plumbing | 11,409 |
| Landscaping | 9,558 |
| Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) | 8,420 |
| Flooring and Floor Covering | 5,430 |
| Ceramic and Mosaic Tile | 4,089 |
| Low Voltage Systems | 3,980 |
| Roofing | 3,848 |
| Concrete | 3,148 |
Why California licenses are suspended
Suspension reasons as recorded in the CSLB's current license file.
| Reason | Licenses |
|---|---|
| Contr Bond SuspNo contractor's bond on file (B&P §7071.6 requires $25,000) | 7,503 |
| Work Comp SuspRequired workers' compensation coverage lapsed (B&P §7125.2) | 2,910 |
| Liab Ins SuspRequired liability insurance lapsed (B&P §7071.19, LLCs) | 509 |
| Susp - No QualifierThe qualifying individual left and was not replaced within 90 days (B&P §7068.2) | 225 |
| Family Sup SuspSuspended for unpaid family support | 183 |
| SOS SuspensionThe business entity is suspended with the California Secretary of State | 171 |
| Judgement SuspUnpaid final judgment for failing to pay a contractor, supplier, consumer or employee (B&P §7071.17) | 143 |
| EMP/WK Bnd Susp | 138 |
| Out Liab Susp | 117 |
| BOND Pay Susp | 112 |
Recently suspended licenses
- Accu - Temp HvacSuspendedWarm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) · License 999976 · Simi Valley, CA
- Ahl Heating And AirSuspendedWarm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) · License 999964 · Lake Elsinore, CA
- V R G PlumbingSuspendedPlumbing · License 999961 · Watsonville, CA
- Dobry ContractingSuspendedGeneral Building · License 999960 · Brentwood, CA
- Desert Mirage Pools & SpasSuspendedSwimming Pool · License 999928 · Indio, CA
- Silao General Engineering IncSuspendedGeneral Engineering · License 999872 · Richmond, CA
- Figs Landscape IncSuspendedLandscaping · License 999860 · Folsom, CA
- S C S SecuritySuspendedLow Voltage Systems · License 999822 · San Diego, CA
- Master Choice PaintingSuspendedPainting and Decorating · License 999767 · Vista, CA
- J J M ConstructionSuspendedGeneral Building · License 999750 · Fresno, CA
- P And M'S ElectricSuspendedElectrical · License 999733 · Buckeye, CA
- Artstyle DecorSuspendedPainting and Decorating · License 999703 · Moraga, CA
California contractor licenses by county
Active licenses by the county of the business ZIP code. Each county page lists its license types and suspended licenses.
- Los Angeles44,858
- San Diego19,086
- Orange17,605
- Riverside14,392
- San Bernardino9,961
- Sacramento9,029
- Santa Clara8,477
- Alameda7,044
- Contra Costa7,028
- Ventura5,775
- Sonoma4,504
- Placer4,425
- San Mateo4,340
- Fresno3,663
- San Francisco3,627
- San Joaquin3,188
- Kern3,011
- Stanislaus2,664
- Santa Barbara2,639
- Marin2,618
- San Luis Obispo2,581
- Monterey2,380
- Santa Cruz2,341
- El Dorado2,254
- Solano2,211
- Tulare1,627
- Butte1,521
- Shasta1,396
- Nevada1,353
- Yolo1,023
- Merced1,011
- Napa978
- Humboldt948
- Mendocino870
- Madera836
- Tuolumne618
- Calaveras562
- Sutter535
- Lake518
- San Benito517
- Tehama517
- Yuba493
- Amador405
- Siskiyou401
- Imperial342
- Mono338
- Kings265
- Plumas265
- Glenn187
- Lassen173
- Mariposa173
- Del Norte137
- Trinity113
- Alpine100
- Colusa89
- Sierra82
- Modoc58
- Inyo29
California contractor license questions
How do I check if a contractor is licensed in California?
Search the business name, the owner's name or the license number above. Each record shows the license status, classification, contractor's bond and workers' comp from the CSLB's license file. Then confirm it on the CSLB's own Check a License page before you sign. California Business and Professions Code §7030.5 requires a contractor's license number on every contract, bid and advertisement, so it should be on your estimate.
How many licensed contractors are there in California?
The CSLB's license master file dated Nov 2, 2026 lists 246,952 licenses that can be renewed: 228,366 active and 12,272 suspended. Revoked and cancelled licenses are not in that file.
How long is a California contractor license valid?
Two years. Under Business and Professions Code §7140, a license expires two years from the last day of the month it was issued, and each renewal runs another two years from the date it would have expired.
Does a California contractor need a bond?
Yes. Business and Professions Code §7071.6 requires a $25,000 contractor's bond on file to get, renew or keep a license. A limited liability company must also carry liability insurance under §7071.19. A lapse in either suspends the license, which is why both show on every California record here.
What happens if a contractor's workers' compensation lapses?
The license is suspended automatically. Business and Professions Code §7125.2 suspends a license by operation of law on the date required workers' compensation coverage lapses.
Do small jobs need a licensed contractor in California?
Business and Professions Code §7048 exempts work on one project when the total price for labor, materials and everything else is under $1,000 and the work does not need a building permit. Above that, or with a permit, the contractor must be licensed. Contracting without a license is a misdemeanor under §7028.