How to Verify a California Contractor's License: Step-by-Step Guide

Verifying a contractor's license is the single most important step you can take before hiring anyone for a home improvement project in California. The California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) makes this incredibly easy — and completely free. This guide walks you through every step, explains what each piece of information means, and helps you make an informed decision.

Why License Verification Matters

California law requires any person or company performing home improvement work valued at $500 or more (combined labor and materials) to hold a valid CSLB license. This isn't just a formality — the licensing system exists to protect you, the homeowner.

When you hire an unlicensed contractor, you lose access to the CSLB's complaint resolution process, the contractor's surety bond (which can reimburse you up to $25,000), and potentially even your homeowner's insurance coverage for work-related issues. Unlicensed contractors also cannot legally enforce their contracts, which creates a chaotic situation for everyone involved.

According to CSLB data, homeowners who hire unlicensed contractors are significantly more likely to experience project abandonment, substandard work, cost overruns, and outright fraud. The five minutes it takes to verify a license can save you thousands of dollars and months of stress.

Step 1: Go to the CSLB Website

Open your browser and navigate to cslb.ca.gov. This is the official website of the California Contractors State License Board. Be careful not to use third-party sites that may charge fees for what the CSLB provides for free.

On the CSLB homepage, look for the "Check a License" option. You can also go directly to the license lookup page at: cslb.ca.gov/onlineservices/checklicenseII/checklicense.aspx

Step 2: Enter the Contractor's Information

You can search by:

• **License Number** — the most precise method if you have it
• **Business Name** — search by the contractor's company name
• **Personal Name** — search by the individual's name

If the contractor gave you a license number, enter it directly. This is the fastest and most accurate way to look up a specific contractor. If you're searching by name, be aware that common names may return multiple results — verify you're looking at the right person or company.

Step 3: Review the License Status

The most critical piece of information is the license status. Here's what each status means:

Active — The license is current and valid. The contractor is authorized to perform work in their licensed classification. This is what you want to see.

Inactive — The license exists but is not currently valid. The contractor may have voluntarily placed it on inactive status or failed to renew. They cannot legally perform contracting work with an inactive license.

Expired — The license has lapsed and was not renewed by the deadline. The contractor cannot legally work. Some expired licenses can be renewed within a certain window; others must be re-applied for entirely.

Suspended — The CSLB has suspended the license due to violations, complaints, or failure to comply with requirements. This is a serious red flag. Do not hire a contractor with a suspended license.

Revoked — The most severe action. The CSLB has permanently revoked the license due to serious violations. Absolutely do not hire this contractor.

Cancelled — The license has been cancelled, either voluntarily by the contractor or by the CSLB.

Step 4: Check the License Classification

Every CSLB license has one or more classifications that define what type of work the contractor is authorized to perform. The three main categories are:

• **Class A (General Engineering)** — infrastructure, utilities, engineering projects
• **Class B (General Building)** — construction involving two or more unrelated trades
• **Class C (Specialty)** — over 40 specific trade classifications (C-10 Electrical, C-36 Plumbing, C-39 Roofing, etc.)

Make sure the contractor's license classification matches the type of work you need done. A contractor with only a C-36 (Plumbing) license should not be doing your electrical work. A B (General Building) licensee can manage projects involving multiple trades but must use properly licensed subcontractors for specialty work.

Step 5: Verify Bond Information

California requires all licensed contractors to maintain a $25,000 contractor's surety bond. This bond protects you — if the contractor fails to fulfill their contractual obligations, you may be able to file a claim against the bond to recover damages.

On the CSLB lookup page, you'll see the bond company name, bond number, and effective date. Verify that the bond is current. If the bond section shows "No Bond on File" or is expired, this is a serious concern.

Some contractors are also required to maintain additional bonds:

• **Disciplinary Bond** — required after certain CSLB actions
• **LLC Employee/Worker Bond** — for contractors operating as LLCs
• **Qualifier Bond** — bonds tied to the qualifying individual

Step 6: Check Workers' Compensation Insurance

The CSLB page will show one of two things regarding workers' compensation:

Insurance on File — The contractor has workers' comp insurance and the policy information is on record. This is what you want to see if the contractor has any employees.

Exempt — No Employees — The contractor has certified that they have no employees. This is legal, but it means if they bring workers to your property, those workers may not be covered. Ask the contractor directly about their workforce and verify their insurance status with the insurance company.

Why this matters: Without workers' comp, if a worker is injured on your property, you (the homeowner) could be held liable for medical expenses, lost wages, and disability payments. This can easily reach six or seven figures for serious injuries.

Step 7: Review Complaint and Disciplinary History

Scroll down on the CSLB lookup page to find any complaints or disciplinary actions. The CSLB lists:

• **Legal Actions** — formal disciplinary proceedings
• **Citations** — issued for specific violations
• **Complaints** — consumer complaints and their status/resolution

A single complaint doesn't necessarily disqualify a contractor — even the best contractors occasionally receive complaints. What matters is the pattern. Multiple complaints, unresolved complaints, or complaints about the same issues (abandonment, poor quality, financial disputes) are significant red flags.

Step 8: Verify Personnel Information

The CSLB page shows the Responsible Managing Employee (RME) or Responsible Managing Officer (RMO) — the person who qualified for the license by passing the trade and law exams. This person is legally responsible for the quality of work performed under the license.

If the qualifier has left the company, the license may be in jeopardy. Companies have a limited time to replace their qualifier before the license is suspended.

Additional Verification Steps

Beyond the CSLB check, consider these additional steps:

Call the insurance company directly. Don't just accept a certificate of insurance — call the insurer to confirm the policy is active and the coverage amounts are adequate.

Check the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB tracks complaints and assigns ratings based on responsiveness and resolution.

Search court records. Check your county's court records for any lawsuits involving the contractor. Multiple lawsuits may indicate recurring problems.

Verify with your local building department. Check whether the contractor has pulled permits in your area. Active permit history suggests a contractor who follows proper procedures.

What to Do If You Discover Problems

If your license check reveals issues, here's what to do:

• **Inactive/Expired License:** Do not hire. If they claim they're renewing, wait until the CSLB shows active status.
• **Suspended/Revoked:** Absolutely do not hire. Report them to the CSLB if they're soliciting work.
• **Wrong Classification:** Ask the contractor to explain. They may have additional licenses or may not be qualified for your project.
• **No Bond/Insurance:** Do not proceed until these are current and verified.
• **Multiple Complaints:** Proceed with extreme caution. Ask the contractor to explain the complaints and verify the resolutions.

Quick Reference Checklist

Before signing any contract, verify:

• ✅ License is ACTIVE
• ✅ Classification matches your project type
• ✅ Bond is current ($25,000 minimum)
• ✅ Workers' comp insurance is on file (or legitimate exemption)
• ✅ No unresolved complaints or disciplinary actions
• ✅ The qualifier is currently associated with the license

Verify Contractors Easily on Sacramento Valley Contractors

We display CSLB verification data on every contractor profile on our site, translated into easy-to-understand badges. Look for the green CLEAR badge (active license), BONDED badge, and INSURED badge. Learn more about what our badges mean on our badges page.

Remember: always verify directly with the CSLB at cslb.ca.gov for the most current information.