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Subcontractor License Requirements in California
California has the broadest and most rigorously enforced contractor licensing system in the US. Here's what GCs need to verify about their subs — and why the consequences of getting it wrong are uniquely severe in California.
In this guide
How California Contractor Licensing Works
California requires a license from the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) for any contractor performing construction, alteration, improvement, or repair work valued at $500 or more in combined labor and materials. That threshold applies to both GCs and subcontractors — there is no specialty trade exemption.
The CSLB is one of the most comprehensive contractor licensing databases in the country. License records include current status, bond information, workers' compensation status, and any disciplinary history — all publicly searchable. When you verify a California contractor license, you're accessing a richer picture than most other states provide.
License Classes — A, B, and C
California organizes contractor licenses into three main classes. Understanding these distinctions matters for verifying that a sub is licensed for the actual work they'll be performing:
Class A — General Engineering Contractor
For projects where the principal work is fixed works requiring specialized engineering knowledge — roads, bridges, dams, pipelines, utilities. Most GCs managing building construction work won't have Class A subs, but infrastructure projects do.
Class B — General Building Contractor
For building construction projects involving two or more unrelated trades. This is the GC license most commonly held by general contractors on commercial and residential projects. A Class B licensee can perform framing, concrete, and structural work — but specialty trade work still requires the appropriate C-class license from the sub performing it.
Class C — Specialty Contractor
California has 44 separate C-class specialty licenses. Each covers a specific trade. A sub performing electrical work must hold a C-10 license; a plumber must hold C-36; roofing requires C-39. Holding a Class B GC license does not authorize the GC to perform specialty trade work, and it does not authorize subs to perform specialty work without their own C-class license.
Key C-Class Licenses by Trade
These are the C-class licenses GCs most frequently need to verify on their subcontractors:
| License class | Trade | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| C-10 | Electrical | Installation, construction, and maintenance of electrical systems in buildings |
| C-36 | Plumbing | Installation and repair of plumbing, drainage, and gas piping systems |
| C-20 | HVAC / Warm-Air Heating & Air Conditioning | Heating and air conditioning systems; separate from C-38 (refrigeration) and C-4 (boilers) |
| C-39 | Roofing | Installation, repair, and maintenance of all types of roofing |
| C-17 | Glazing | Installation of glass and glazing products |
| C-33 | Painting & Decorating | All painting, varnishing, and decorating work; required in California even for painting subs |
| C-27 | Landscaping | Planting, grading, and irrigation installations for landscaping |
| C-35 | Lathing & Plastering | Installation of lath, plaster, stucco, and EIFS systems |
| C-8 | Concrete | Concrete flatwork and structural concrete; note that Class B GCs can also perform concrete under their general license |
What GCs Are Responsible for Verifying
California Business and Professions Code §7068.1 makes the qualifying individual and the company jointly responsible for ensuring licensed work is performed only by those authorized to perform it. For a GC, this means due diligence extends to your subs' license status — not just your own.
Before any sub starts work, verify:
- CSLB license number is Active — not Expired, Inactive, Suspended, or Revoked
- License class matches the specific work being contracted — C-10 for electrical, C-36 for plumbing, etc.
- Bond and workers' compensation statuses are current (both are shown in CSLB records)
- The qualifying individual is still listed on the license — if they've left the company, the license may be invalid
- Entity name matches your subcontract — DBA names and subsidiaries are common sources of mismatch
Penalties for Hiring Unlicensed Subcontractors in California
California has the most severe penalties for unlicensed contracting of the three states. The exposure for GCs is both criminal and financial.
Criminal charges — misdemeanor and felony
Under BPC §7028, acting as a contractor without a license is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and/or up to six months in jail. A second offense is a misdemeanor with a mandatory minimum 90-day jail sentence. While these penalties directly target the unlicensed contractor, a GC who knowingly contracts with an unlicensed sub can be prosecuted under §7028.16, which covers the hiring party.
No contractual recourse
Under BPC §7031, an unlicensed contractor cannot bring a legal action to recover compensation — and neither can you enforce your contract against them. More critically, §7031(b) allows the person who hired an unlicensed contractor to sue to recover all compensation paid to that contractor. If a sub was unlicensed when you paid them, you could face claims demanding full repayment.
Your own CSLB license at risk
The CSLB can initiate disciplinary action against a licensed GC for willful or fraudulent acts in the construction business — which can include knowingly employing or contracting with unlicensed workers. Discipline ranges from citation and fines to suspension or revocation of your own California contractor's license.
Insurance claim denial
California courts have upheld coverage denials where the insured GC failed to verify that subcontractors performing work were licensed. If an unlicensed sub's work causes injury or property damage, your GL carrier may investigate your pre-hire verification practices before paying the claim.
How to Look Up a California Contractor License
The CSLB's license lookup at cslb.ca.gov is the authoritative source. It shows status, classification, bond, workers' comp, qualifying individual, and disciplinary history. Search by license number for the most accurate result.
Get the CSLB license number before work begins. California license numbers are seven digits (e.g., 1043212). If a sub can't provide theirs, that's a red flag.
Look up the license at cslb.ca.gov. Confirm the status shows Active and the classification matches the scope of work. Check bond and workers' comp status on the same record.
Check disciplinary history. CSLB records include any citations, accusations, or formal disciplinary actions. A sub with open disciplinary matters is a risk worth knowing about before they're on your project.
Log the verification result with a timestamp. "Verified Active via CSLB on [date]" provides a meaningful paper trail if license status is ever questioned. TrackMyVendor stores this automatically.
Verify every sub's California license automatically
TrackMyVendor queries CSLB daily and alerts you when a sub's license, bond, or workers' comp status changes. Free for your first 10 contractors.
Start free →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the $500 threshold in California contractor licensing?
Does a Class B GC license cover specialty trade work in California?
Can an unlicensed sub sue me for payment in California?
Does a California sub need a separate license for each trade they perform?
Does a COI confirm a sub is licensed in California?
How often do CSLB licenses need to be renewed?
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