California Contractor License Lookup: How to Check CSLB
6 min read · Updated
Hiring a contractor is one of the biggest checks most people ever write. In California, the state gives you free tools to check who you're hiring and sets clear limits on how much they can ask up front. Here's how to use them.
When a contractor needs a license
In California, anyone doing construction work worth $1,000 or more in labor and materials must hold a license from the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). The threshold rose from $500 to $1,000 on January 1, 2025.
Two catches: if the job needs a building permit, a license is required no matter the price. And a job can't be split into smaller pieces to stay under $1,000.
How to check a license in two minutes
Use CSLB's free License Check on cslb.ca.gov. You can search by license number, business name or personal name.
- Ask the contractor for their license number. A licensed contractor will give it without hesitation, and it should appear on their contracts, ads and vehicles.
- Confirm the license status is active, not expired or suspended.
- Check that the business name matches the person you are dealing with.
- Check the classification. A plumbing job should go to a plumbing license, for example, unless they hold a general building license for a multi-trade project.
- Look at the bond and workers' compensation details on the record. If the contractor has employees, they need workers' comp coverage.
Know the down payment limit
For home improvement work in California, the down payment can be no more than $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less. There is no exception for special-order materials.
After the down payment, payments should match work completed or materials delivered to your home. A contractor asking for half up front is asking for something California law doesn't allow.
Get a written contract
Home improvement contracts in California must be in writing. Before you sign, make sure it includes:
- The contractor's name, address and license number.
- A clear description of the work and materials.
- The total price, the down payment and a payment schedule tied to progress.
- Start and completion dates.
- A notice of your right to cancel. For most home improvement contracts signed at your home, you have three business days to cancel.
Red flags
- Door-to-door offers, especially after a storm, fire or other disaster.
- Pressure to sign today, or a "leftover materials" discount.
- Cash-only payment, or a large deposit up front.
- No license number, or a number that belongs to a different business.
- Asking you to pull the building permit yourself.
If something goes wrong
Document everything: the contract, payments, messages and photos of the work. Try to resolve it in writing first. If that fails, you can file a complaint with CSLB, which handles complaints about licensed and unlicensed contractors.
Unlicensed work carries real risk for you, too. If an unlicensed worker is hurt on your property, or the job fails inspection, you may have far fewer options than you would with a licensed, bonded contractor. That is one more reason to check before any work starts.
Questions to ask before you hire
A short conversation tells you a lot. Ask every contractor you are considering:
- What is your CSLB license number, and is it in the name of the business I am contracting with?
- Who will pull the building permits for this job?
- Do you have employees on this job, and do you carry workers' compensation insurance?
- Can I talk to two or three recent customers who had similar work done?
- What is the payment schedule, and what work will be finished at each payment?
Get more than one bid
Get at least three written bids for any significant job. Compare them on the same scope of work, materials and timeline, not just price. A bid far below the others can mean missing work, cheaper materials, or a contractor who plans to make it up later with change orders. Ask each bidder to explain the gaps.
Where TRUVO360 fits
TRUVO360 Business Validation looks up a contractor's California CSLB license record alongside federal business records, such as federal debarment and OFAC sanctions lists, and returns a 0-100 safety score in under 30 seconds. Yelp ratings, where available, are shown separately and never mixed into the score.
Free for 5 days, 3 searches, no credit card. Nothing is charged and nothing renews automatically. Paid plans from $2.99/month.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licensed contractor for a small job in California?
You need a CSLB-licensed contractor for any job worth $1,000 or more in labor and materials, or any job that requires a building permit, whatever the price.
How much can a California contractor ask for up front?
For home improvement work, no more than $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less.
How do I look up a contractor license in California?
Use the free License Check on cslb.ca.gov. Search by license number, business name or personal name, and confirm the license is active and the classification fits the job.
Can I cancel a home improvement contract?
For most home improvement contracts signed in your home, California gives you three business days to cancel. The contract should explain how.
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These guides are general safety information, not legal advice. TRUVO360 is not a consumer reporting agency and does not run background checks. Its results can't be used for employment, housing, lending or insurance decisions.