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Electrical Contractor Licensing in California

The State of California defines an Electrical Contractor as “anyone who places, installs, erects or connects any electrical wires, fixtures, appliances, raceways, conduits, solar photovoltaic cells or any part thereof, which generates, transmits, transforms or utilizes electrical energy in any form or for any purpose.”  All Electrical Contractors are required to hold a license from the Contractor’s State Licensing Board (CSLB) when working on projects of $500 or more, including labor and materials.

Electrical Contractor Licenses fall beneath the Class C Specialty Contractor Licenses offered by the CSLB.  Class C licenses include 43 different sub-classifications related to various building trades and crafts.   Of the 43 different sub-classifications offered, there are two related to electrical contracting:

  1. Class C-10 Electrical Contractor (General)
  2. Class C-45 Electrical Sign Contractor

As part of the licensing process, contractors are required to (more…)

Reciprocal General Contractor Licensing in California

The State of California holds reciprocity agreements with the contractor licensing agencies of Arizona, Utah and Nevada.  This means that a General Contractor, who holds a valid license, in good standing, in one of these three states may easily become licensed to work on projects in California.

California’s reciprocal agreements with these states are due to the similarities in the licensing requirements and the scope of work covered by each license classification.  Reciprocity between these states makes the process of getting a California General Contractor license easier and more streamlined.

 

Reciprocal License Classifications in California

A General Contractor license in the State of California is classified as a Class B, General Building Contractor License.  Licenses are issued by the Contractor State License Board (CSLB).

As a General Contractor, applying for a reciprocal license in California, you must hold an active license in one of the following states, in one of the following classifications: (more…)

California Contractors License

General contracting and construction are one of the largest industries in the State of California. The Contractor’s State License Board (CSLB) receives approximately 25,000 applications per year. The CSLB is responsible for regulating the construction industry and issuing licenses to qualifying individuals and businesses. Any person or business working on a project worth $500 or more in labor and materials must hold a General Contractor’s License, also called a Class B license.

A Class B license in the State of California permits general contractors to build or remodel structures used to shelter, support or enclose people, animals, materials and belongings, or moveable property that requires construction using two unrelated building trades or crafts, according to the CSLB.

The CSLB is responsible for reviewing applications and administering examinations. They ultimately decide if the person or business applying has the skills and experience necessary to operate as a general contractor in the State of California.

*The CSLB’s Investigative Fraud Team performs regular stings and sweeps to make sure that those performing general contracting work in the State of California are properly licensed.

Overview of Requirements

  1. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
  2. Applicants must have at least 4 years of work experience or corresponding education.
  3. Applicants must have $2,500 in operating capital.
  4. Applicants must file for a bond worth $12,500 in addition to holding worker’s compensation and general liability insurance.
  5. Applicants must obtain and fill out (more…)