How to get a B - General Building Contractor license in California

California general contractor licenses

California issues 3 general contractor credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for every California general contractor license on this page, so they are shown once here. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

Requirements

Minimum age

18 years old⁵

High school diploma or GED

Not required²

Education or training

No education is required. Schooling can only replace part of the experience requirement.²

Experience

At least 4 years²
At least four years of experience in the classification applied for, within the last ten years, as a journeyperson, foreperson, supervising employee, contractor or owner-builder.²
Supervision: A qualified person with firsthand knowledge must certify the experience on the Certification of Work Experience form; CSLB can ask for supporting documents.¹³
Substitute: Education or training can replace up to three of the four years; at least one year must be practical experience.²
Substitute: Up to 2 years for a four-year degree in accounting, architecture (B classification only), business, economics, mathematics, physics or a field related to the trade; a law degree; or substantial related college course work.²
Substitute: Up to 3 years for a completed apprenticeship in the classification, or a four-year degree in construction technology/management or directly related engineering.²

Exam

Law and Business examination³
Given by: PSI Exams¹⁴
Passing score: CSLB does not publish a fixed score on these pages; the required percentage is given at the test site.³
When you can take it: After CSLB accepts the application.⁵
Retakes: Wait 21 calendar days after a failed attempt, then pay and reschedule with PSI, within the 18-month window.¹⁴
Exam waived: The registrar may waive the exam for personnel of record for five of the last seven years in the same classification, for family members continuing a family business, and for certain long-term employees of a corporation or LLC replacing its qualifier. No exam is needed if, within five years, the qualifier passed the exam for the same classification or served as qualifier for a license in good standing in it.⁶

Exam

Asbestos open book examination¹⁵
When you can take it: Completed and submitted before the license is issued; it does not certify asbestos work.¹⁵

Background check

Background check required⁴
Fingerprints required⁴
Fingerprints are compared with California DOJ and FBI records; some applications go to formal investigation.⁴

Residency or citizenship

Out-of-state residents may apply if they meet the qualifications.¹

Social Security number

The qualifier needs a Social Security number or an ITIN.⁵

Surety bond

$25,000⁶ (All active licenses; bond amount, not a premium; a $25,000 cashier's check may be filed instead)

Insurance

Workers’ compensation certificate, or an exemption if there are no employees (not available to C-8, C-20, C-22, C-39 or D-49 holders). From January 1, 2028, the no-employee exemption is limited to joint ventures.¹⁵

Insurance

LLCs need liability insurance of at least $1 million for five or fewer personnel of record, plus $100,000 for each additional person, up to $5 million.¹⁶

Business requirements

Every license needs a qualifying individual who meets the experience and exam requirements.¹

Business requirements

A Responsible Managing Employee must work for the firm at least 32 hours a week or 80 percent of its operating hours, whichever is less, and cannot qualify another active license.¹

Business requirements

A $25,000 Bond of Qualifying Individual may be needed for an RME or RMO; an RMO owning 10 percent or more may be exempted.¹⁵

Business requirements

LLCs also need a $100,000 employee/worker bond.¹⁶

Business requirements

A person may qualify no more than three firms in any one-year period.¹

Also required

There are no financial requirements beyond the bond.¹

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee; check it with the exam provider, PSI Exams¹⁴, when you schedule.

How to apply

1. Confirm the classification and that the qualifying individual has four verifiable years of experience.¹
2. Submit the Application for Original Contractor License, the Certification of Work Experience and the $450 fee. Do not send a bond or the initial license fee yet. Sole owners can apply online.¹³ Form (PDF, cslb.ca.gov)¹⁸
3. After acceptance, get fingerprinted by Live Scan for each person listed; send CSLB its copy within 90 days of receiving the packet.⁴
4. Schedule and pay for the exams with PSI, and pass them within 18 months.¹⁷
5. After passing, send what the bond and fee letter lists: initial license fee, $25,000 bond, asbestos open book exam, and workers’ compensation certificate or exemption.¹⁵
6. CSLB issues the license; the wall certificate and pocket card arrive about a week later.¹⁵

Apply online

cslb.ca.gov⁵

Application form

Form (PDF, cslb.ca.gov)¹⁸

Processing time

CSLB publishes the date it is working on rather than a duration. As of 11/02/2026 it was working on exam applications received 10/20/2026.¹⁹

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years⁶

When it expires

Expires two years from the last day of the month of issue. Active renewals last two years, inactive renewals four.¹⁵

Renewal fee

$450⁷ (Active, sole owner; non-sole owner is $700)

Late renewal

Late renewal fee: $675⁶ (active, sole owner, renewed after expiration)
Late renewal fee: $1,050⁷ (active, non-sole owner, renewed after expiration)
Late renewal fee: $450⁷ (inactive, sole owner, after expiration)
Late renewal fee: $750⁷ (inactive, non-sole owner, after expiration)

If it expires

An expired license can be renewed within five years with the delinquency fee, but the holder is unlicensed during the gap. After five years, a new application is required.⁶

Renew online

cslb.ca.gov²⁰

From another state

Military service members, veterans and spouses: CSLB expedites applications and cuts the initial license fee by 50% for active-duty members and for those not dishonorably discharged. Renewal fees can be waived for a license expiring during active duty, if requirements are met.¹⁸

Who needs a B - General Building Contractor license

Structures for the support, shelter and enclosure of persons, animals, chattels or movable property, requiring at least two unrelated building trades or crafts. A prime contract outside framing or carpentry needs two unrelated trades other than framing or carpentry, unless the contractor holds the classification or subcontracts it. C-16 and C-57 work needs the specialty license or a licensed subcontractor.¹¹

Exemptions and dollar thresholds:

• No license is needed for work under $1,000 in total (labor, materials and all other items) that needs no building permit; CSLB adds that no employee labor may be used. Splitting a larger job to fall under $1,000 does not qualify.¹
• Owner-builders improving their own property, doing the work themselves or with their own wage employees, may be exempt.¹
• Wage employees without control over the work may be exempt.¹

Requirements for a B - General Building Contractor license

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

Exam

General Building (B) trade examination²¹
Given by: PSI Exams¹⁴
Passing score: CSLB does not publish a fixed score on these pages; the required percentage is given at the test site.³
Spanish versions exist for both the B trade exam and the Law and Business exam.¹⁴
Trade exams can only be taken in California or Oregon.¹⁴
Retakes: Wait 21 calendar days after a failed attempt, then pay and reschedule with PSI, within the 18-month window.¹⁴
Time limit: 18 months from acceptance of the application.¹⁴

Also required

Experience as an owner-builder counts for this classification; each project needs a project form.¹³

Renewal and continuing education

Moving to California with a license from another state

These are the routes CSLB publishes for the B - General Building Contractor license. The other general contractor licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

A - General Engineering Contractor

A general engineering contractor is a contractor whose principal contracting business is in connection with fixed works requiring specialized engineering knowledge and skill.¹⁰

Requirements

Exam

General Engineering (A) trade examination²⁴
Given by: PSI Exams¹⁴
Passing score: CSLB does not publish a fixed score on these pages; the required percentage is given at the test site.³
No Spanish version is listed for the A trade exam; the Law and Business exam has one.¹⁴
Trade exams can only be taken in California or Oregon.¹⁴
Retakes: Wait 21 calendar days after a failed attempt, then pay and reschedule with PSI, within the 18-month window.¹⁴
Time limit: 18 months from acceptance of the application.¹⁴

From another state

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

B-2 – Residential Remodeling Contractor

Improvements to an existing residential wood frame structure, on a single contract that uses at least three unrelated building trades or crafts. No structural changes to load bearing portions. Electrical, mechanical or plumbing systems may not be installed, replaced, substantially altered or extended unless the contractor holds the classification or subcontracts it.¹²

Requirements

Exam

Residential Remodeling (B-2) trade examination²⁵
Given by: PSI Exams¹⁴
Passing score: CSLB does not publish a fixed score on these pages; the required percentage is given at the test site.³
No Spanish version is listed for the B-2 trade exam; the Law and Business exam has one.¹⁴
Trade exams can only be taken in California or Oregon.¹⁴
Retakes: Wait 21 calendar days after a failed attempt, then pay and reschedule with PSI, within the 18-month window.¹⁴
Time limit: 18 months from acceptance of the application.¹⁴

Also required

The contractor may not contract to change load bearing portions of a structure.¹²

From another state

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a general contractor in California, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in California is on the California license lookup page.

Look up a license

cslb.ca.gov²⁶

File a complaint

cslb.ca.gov²⁷

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7057
• Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7048
• Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7065
• Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7065.1
• Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7065.4
• Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7068
• Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7069
• Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7071.6
• Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7125
• Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7137
• Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7138
• Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7140
• Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7141
• Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7056
• Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7057.5

Rule changes since January 2024

• January 1, 2028: Upcoming: the version of B&P 7125 operative January 1, 2028 limits the no-employee workers’ compensation exemption to joint ventures.⁶

Common questions

General contractor licenses in other states

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin