Look up a contractor license in California

228,992 contractor profiles · 227,867 with an active license on file.

HomeProFax holds 228,992 California contractor profiles built from the California state licensing board, with 227,867 showing an active license on file. Permit history appears where covered city open-data portals publish it.

Before you hire, read how to check a contractor before you hire and confirm the license with the issuing agency.

On this page: Who must be licensed in California · License classes · Bond and insurance · How to run the CSLB lookup and read the status · Red flags before you sign · If there is a problem: complaints, arbitration and bond claims · Permits in Los Angeles, San Diego and elsewhere · HomeProFax data · FAQ · Sources

Who must be licensed in California

Anyone who builds or alters a structure in California must hold a CSLB license if the project needs a building permit, uses employee labor, or totals $1,000 or more in labor and materials across one or more contracts. Contractors must be licensed before they submit bids (CSLB).

The $1,000 figure took effect January 1, 2025 under AB 2622, up from $500. CSLB says a license is not needed as long as the person does not advertise as a licensed contractor and never contracts for jobs of $1,000 or more.

License classes

CSLB issues licenses in four groups, and the class should match your project (CSLB classifications):

Bond and insurance

• Contractor's Bond: $25,000, required before CSLB issues, reactivates or renews an active license. It exists for consumers damaged by defective construction or other license law violations, and for unpaid employees (CSLB bond requirements).
• Bond of Qualifying Individual: another $25,000 when the license is qualified by a Responsible Managing Employee, or by an officer who owns less than 10% of the voting stock.
• Disciplinary bond: required to reinstate a revoked license; at least $25,000 and on file for at least two years.
• Workers' compensation: a contractor with employees must show coverage; one without employees files an exemption (CSLB terms).

If the surety cancels a bond and no replacement reaches CSLB within 30 days, the license is suspended (CSLB).

How to run the CSLB lookup and read the status

1. Open CSLB License Check.
2. Search by license number (most precise), business name or personnel name. Home Improvement Salesperson (HIS) registrations can be checked on the same page.
3. Open the license detail and match the business name and number to your contract.
4. Read the status, the classifications, the bond and the workers' comp entry.

Definitions from CSLB terms and definitions. CSLB letters of admonishment are publicly disclosable for one year.

Red flags before you sign

• A bid of $1,000 or more, or a permit job, from someone without a license number.
• A status other than Active, or a business name that differs from the contract.
• A specialty (C) license bidding work outside its trade.
• Employees on site but a workers' comp exemption on file.
• A down payment request above 10% of the price or $1,000, whichever is less; CSLB's consumer guidance advises against paying more.

If there is a problem: complaints, arbitration and bond claims

CSLB reviews every written complaint for jurisdiction, notifies the contractor, and may mediate. Complaints involving a threat to public health and safety get the highest priority. Disputes of $25,000 or less may qualify for CSLB's mandatory arbitration program, and those between $25,000 and $50,000 for its voluntary program. Citations can carry civil penalties of up to $30,000 and orders to correct the work or pay for repairs; serious cases can lead to suspension or revocation (CSLB complaint process).

Bond claims go to the surety company named on the license, not to CSLB, within the surety's time limits. CSLB says it cannot guarantee you will get money back.

Permits in Los Angeles, San Diego and elsewhere

Permits are local. In the City of Los Angeles, the Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) issues permits and offers online building records. San Diego permits run through Development Services.

What HomeProFax shows for California

HomeProFax lists 228,992 contractor profiles here, 227,867 with an active license on file. Our California profiles come from the CSLB public data file as of Oct 14, 2026: 236,436 license records, 1,959 of them with a legal-action flag. The free file lists current licenses, so older cancelled or revoked licenses may not appear. Permit history is attached from city open-data portals for Los Angeles (LADBS, permits through May 2023), San Francisco, San Diego County and San Jose. Check CSLB for the latest status.

Cities with the most profiles: Los Angeles (6,690), San Diego (5,915), San Jose (5,068), Sacramento (4,141), San Francisco (3,855), Bakersfield (2,742), Riverside (2,646), Fresno (2,516).

Profiles show public-record facts with their source; they are not a rating of workmanship. HomeProFax is a free contractor license, permit and complaint check from public records.

Open the CSLB License Check →

Frequently asked questions

How do I look up a contractor license in California?

Use the CSLB License Check on cslb.ca.gov. Search by license number, business name or personnel name, then read the status, classification, bond and workers’ compensation details.

When does a California contractor need a license?

When labor and materials total $1,000 or more, or when the job needs a building permit or the contractor uses employees, regardless of price. This took effect January 1, 2025 under AB 2622.

What does an Inactive CSLB license mean?

The contractor is still licensed but is not permitted to perform work. An Expired license has not been renewed.

How much is the California contractor’s bond?

$25,000. A separate $25,000 Bond of Qualifying Individual applies when the license is qualified by a Responsible Managing Employee or a minority-owner officer.

How do I file a bond claim against a California contractor?

File it with the surety company named on the CSLB license detail, within the surety’s time limits. CSLB does not process bond claims but investigates complaints against the license.

Does CSLB offer arbitration?

Yes. A mandatory program covers disputes with alleged damages of $25,000 or less, and a voluntary program covers $25,000 to $50,000, for complaints that meet CSLB criteria.

How much can I pay a California contractor up front?

CSLB advises a down payment of no more than 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less.

Where does HomeProFax get California license data?

From the CSLB public data file, as of Oct 14, 2026: 236,436 license records. The free file lists current licenses, so older cancelled or revoked licenses may not appear.

Sources, last checked 2026-10-29

• CSLB License Check
• CSLB: who must be licensed
• CSLB license classifications
• CSLB bond requirements
• CSLB terms and definitions
• CSLB complaint process
• LADBS
• San Diego Development Services

Related pages

• How to check a contractor before you hire
• Is my contractor licensed?
• Contractor permit history
• Where our data comes from
• All states

California profiles with the most public-record evidence

Full report = active license plus at least one more public-record source. Not a ranking of workmanship.

Cities with 5+ profiles