California Contractors State License Board · checked 2026-10-20

California General contractor License Requirements

The CSLB licenses general building contractors (B) and residential remodeling contractors (B-2). B General Building Contractor: 4 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.

1B-2 · B-2 Residential Remodeling Contractor 4 years
2B · B General Building Contractor 4 years

Issued by

California Contractors State License Board

Top credential

B General Building Contractor

Time to top

4 years

Exams

2 of 2 levels

Reciprocity

none named

License levels in California

The California path has 2 steps on this page: B-2 Residential Remodeling Contractor and B General Building Contractor. The source states the time in years.

Level	Experience	Classroom	Time from start	Exam	Fees
B-2 B-2 Residential Remodeling Contractor	4 years	—	4 years	Yes	Application $450; Initial license (sole owner) $200
B B General Building Contractor	4 years	—	4 years	Yes	Application $450; Initial license (sole owner) $200

Years from the start of the trade to each California general contractor level, from the hours and years in the source (2,000 hours counted as one full-time year). Bars are to scale.

B-2 Residential Remodeling Contractor (B-2)

Four years of journeyman-level experience in the classification within the last ten years, and written law and trade examinations. Source: CSLB, Steps to become a licensed contractor.

B General Building Contractor (B)

Four years of journeyman-level experience within the last ten years, and written law and trade examinations. Source: CSLB, Steps to become a licensed contractor.

Exam

2 of the 2 levels listed here require an exam: B-2 Residential Remodeling Contractor and B General Building Contractor. The source does not print a pass mark. Non-sole-owner entities pay a $350 initial license fee instead of $200.

Fees, insurance and bond

B-2 Residential Remodeling Contractor: application $450, initial license (sole owner) $200 ($650 together).
B General Building Contractor: application $450, initial license (sole owner) $200 ($650 together).

Fee source: CSLB Fees.

Bond: Contractor bond of $25,000 and a $25,000 bond of qualifying individual where one applies (effective January 1, 2023). (CSLB, Bond Requirements)

Reciprocity

The California sources read for this trade name no reciprocity agreement and no route for out-of-state licensees.

How California compares

Among the 3 states on this site that state a minimum time to the top general contractor credential, California ranks 2 of 3 from shortest (3 years) to longest (4 years). Florida sets the same 4 years.

Minimum years to the top general contractor credential in each state that states one; California highlighted. Bars are to scale; states whose source gives no floor are not drawn.

Same trade elsewhere: Florida · Pennsylvania · North Carolina · Michigan · Connecticut. All states side by side: General contractor license requirements by state.

Other trades in California

Electrician: C-10 Electrical Contractor (CSLB): 4 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
Plumber: C-36 Plumbing Contractor: 4 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
HVAC: C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor: 4 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.

All covered trades on one page: California trade licenses.

Background reading: From apprentice to master: how long each state takes · What the license fees add up to.

Questions

Who issues the general contractor license in California?

California Contractors State License Board. The CSLB licenses general building contractors (B) and residential remodeling contractors (B-2).

How long does it take to qualify for the B General Building Contractor in California?

4 years by this site's count. Four years of journeyman-level experience within the last ten years, and written law and trade examinations.

Does California have general contractor license reciprocity?

The California sources read name no reciprocity agreement for this trade.

What are the California general contractor license fees?

B-2 Residential Remodeling Contractor: application $450, initial license (sole owner) $200. B General Building Contractor: application $450, initial license (sole owner) $200.

Sources and last checked

What	Source	Checked
Issuing authority	California Contractors State License Board	2026-10-20
B-2 requirements	CSLB, Steps to become a licensed contractor	2026-10-20
B requirements	CSLB, Steps to become a licensed contractor	2026-10-20
Law cited	CSLB B and B-2 classifications	2026-10-20

This page summarises what the California source said on 2026-10-20. It is general information, not legal advice; the board's own page and the statute are the authority and can change. Confirm with California Contractors State License Board before applying. The free official route is the board itself: its page, application forms and staff answer eligibility questions.