When a licence is required
Since 1 January 2025 (AB 2622), unlicensed work is allowed only when the total price is under $1,000, no permit is needed and the worker hires nobody for the job (B&P Code 7048).
Which licence class
| Trade | CSLB class |
|---|---|
| Painting and decorating | C-33 |
| Roofing | C-39 |
| Electrical | C-10 |
| Plumbing | C-36 |
| Heating, ventilation and air conditioning | C-20 |
A B (General Building) licence also covers most of these when the job involves two or more unrelated trades.
Check it in three steps
- Ask for the licence number. California contractors must put it on contracts, bids and adverts.
- Look it up on CSLB's Check a License. The status should read "This license is current and active", and the classes should match the work.
- Check the bond, workers' comp and disclosures on the same page. A contractor marked "exempt" has declared no employees, so anyone else they bring to your home is a red flag. Citations and complaints are listed with dates.
BoardChecked reads each California licence page for you and shows the workers' comp carrier, bond and any disclosures on every listing.
Licensed contractors we've already checked
- House painters: Los Angeles (1,267), San Diego (467)
- Roofers: Los Angeles (518), San Diego (99)
- Electricians: Los Angeles (2,713), San Diego (602)
- Plumbers: Los Angeles (1,934), San Diego (496)
- HVAC contractors: Los Angeles (1,106), San Diego (242)