How to verify a California contractor's license in 2026 (3-minute guide)
You do not need an app, an account, or a subscription to check whether a California contractor's license is real and active. The state publishes every license on a free public portal called CSLB. This guide walks you through it in six steps — the same six steps our free contractor-check tool automates.
The only source of truth: California Contractors State License Board (CSLB)
California law requires every person or company performing construction work above $500 in labor-and-materials to hold an active CSLB license. CSLB is a state agency under the Department of Consumer Affairs. Every license — active, expired, suspended, revoked — lives on cslb.ca.gov. This guide is deliberately source-first. AskBaily's own tool uses the same CSLB data; we are a convenience layer, not a secret database.
Six steps to verify
- Step 1
Get the contractor's license number
Ask the contractor for their CSLB license number. It is 5-8 digits. Every California contractor's proposal, letterhead, business card, and truck signage is legally required to display this number. If they can't give you one, stop here — unlicensed contracting above $500 in labor-and-materials is a misdemeanor under California Business & Professions Code 7028.
- Step 2
Open the CSLB public portal
Navigate to cslb.ca.gov and click 'Check a Contractor's License.' Or go directly to cslb.ca.gov/OnlineServices/CheckLicenseII/CheckLicense.aspx. The portal is free, public, and requires no account. Enter the 5-8 digit license number and click 'Find.'
- Step 3
Read the license status line
The detail page shows the license status near the top. You want to see ACTIVE. Anything else (Suspended, Revoked, Expired, Inactive) means the contractor cannot legally perform licensed construction work today. Also confirm the business name on the license matches the name on the proposal exactly — mismatches indicate the number belongs to a different company.
- Step 4
Read the classification (what work this license authorizes)
California CSLB licenses are class-specific. A 'B - General Building Contractor' can coordinate multi-trade projects. 'C-36 Plumbing,' 'C-20 HVAC,' 'C-33 Painting,' and 50+ other C-class specialties are single-trade only. A kitchen remodel needs B. A tankless water heater needs C-36. If the classification does not match your project scope, the contractor is not qualified for the work — even if their status is Active.
- Step 5
Check bond + workers' comp status
Scroll to the Bond and Workers' Compensation section. California requires a $25,000 contractor's license bond. If the contractor has employees, they are required to carry workers' compensation. The portal shows the bond company, bond number, and workers' comp status. A lapsed bond or 'Exempt from Workers' Comp' when the contractor clearly has employees is a red flag — request proof of coverage before signing.
- Step 6
Review disciplinary actions (citations, accusations, judgments)
CSLB publishes every citation, accusation, and disciplinary order on the license detail page under 'Disciplinary Actions.' One old citation from 10 years ago is usually noise. Multiple actions, any accusation currently pending, or a revocation history is a pattern — proceed only with a construction attorney's review.
Red flags — walk away if you see any of these
- Status is Expired, Suspended, or Revoked
- Business name on CSLB does not match the name on the proposal or contract
- License classification does not cover your project (C-36 contractor bidding a kitchen remodel)
- Bond is lapsed or shows $0 active coverage
- Multiple disciplinary actions, especially any that are currently pending
- Contractor refuses to provide the license number or says “I'll text it to you later” and never does
Want this automated? Use AskBaily's free tool.
Our /tools/contractor-check tool queries CSLB live (the same public portal) and returns a green / yellow / red scorecard plus the $25,000 bond minimum, general liability minimum, and any disciplinary record. No sign-up. No email capture. Same source data you would get by hand.
If the two ever disagree, trust CSLB. They are the source. We are a mirror.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a CSLB license check actually take?
About three minutes once you have the license number. The CSLB portal is fast, returns a structured detail page, and requires no account. The slow part is the contractor producing the license number — a contractor who hesitates to share it is signaling something.
What if the CSLB status is 'Expired'?
The license lapsed. It can be renewed, but until it is, the contractor cannot legally perform licensed construction work in California. Do not sign a contract and do not hand over a deposit. Ask the contractor to show you written proof that renewal is complete before anything moves forward.
What does the $25,000 CSLB bond actually cover?
The contractor's license bond is a financial guarantee. If the contractor abandons your project, fails to pay subcontractors or suppliers (who can then file mechanic's liens against your home's title), or is cited by CSLB, you can file a claim against the bond. The $25,000 figure is the minimum statutory bond — it is not insurance, and it caps out at $25,000 total across all claims. Larger projects should cross-check that the contractor carries additional bonding or performance bonding beyond the statutory minimum.
My contractor says they don't need a license because the job is small. True?
Only if the total contract value (labor plus materials) is under $500. California Business & Professions Code 7048 is the 'handyman exemption.' A $450 gutter cleaning is legal without a license. A $2,000 bathroom repaint is not. Anything that requires a permit (electrical, plumbing, structural, HVAC) always requires a license regardless of contract value.
The CSLB portal is down. What do I do?
It happens — the portal is maintained by the state and occasionally returns a 500 error or times out. Wait 10-15 minutes and try again. If it's still down, call CSLB at 1-800-321-CSLB (2752) and ask them to verify the license over the phone. They will. Our free tool at /tools/contractor-check queries the same CSLB data and has a fallback path — check there if the board portal is unreachable.
Can I use AskBaily's tool instead of checking CSLB myself?
Yes, though honestly, you should learn to self-verify once so you know what a clean CSLB record looks like. Our /tools/contractor-check queries the same CSLB public portal you would, returns the same data in a cleaner layout, and adds a green/yellow/red scorecard plus the state bond + insurance minimum numbers. It's free. But the source of truth is always CSLB itself — if AskBaily's read ever contradicts the CSLB portal, trust CSLB.