How do I know if my contractor is licensed?

Answered by Netanel Presman, General Contractor (CSLB #1105249) · Updated

Short answer

Ask for the license number, then look it up on the state licensing board's website directly. California uses CSLB.ca.gov, Oregon uses CCB.Oregon.gov, Washington uses LNI.wa.gov, Texas does not license general residential contractors. Never rely on a platform's claim that a contractor is "background checked" or "verified" — look up the license number yourself.

In detail

Every US state that licenses contractors publishes a free public database. The verification steps are consistent:

  1. Get the exact license number in writing (email, quote, or business card). If the contractor declines to provide it, stop.
  2. Go directly to the state licensing board's website — not a third-party platform. Lead-gen platforms like Angi and HomeAdvisor rely on self-attested license status that may not be current.
  3. Verify three fields: the license is active (not expired, suspended, or revoked), the license class covers residential remodeling (e.g., California B or B-2, not just a C-specialty class), and the bond and workers' compensation coverage are current.
  4. Check the complaint history — most boards publish disciplinary actions and open complaints.

Key state boards (all free):

  • California: CSLB.ca.gov license lookup
  • Oregon: CCB.Oregon.gov License Check
  • Washington: LNI.wa.gov Verify a Contractor
  • Arizona: ROC.az.gov Contractor Search
  • Florida: MyFloridaLicense.com
  • New York City: DCWP HIC License Search (NYC-specific, state HIC license doesn't exist statewide)

Red flags: no license number on a quote, a license class that doesn't match the work (C-39 roofer quoting a kitchen remodel), a bond amount lower than the contract value, or an expired workers' compensation policy.

AskBaily verifies license status automatically before every match — we only route you to a contractor whose license is active in your state at the moment of match.

Sources

How AskBaily helps

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