Core License Tiers
3 flagship general/engineering classifications — the primary licenses most California contractors need.
Statutory Scope of Work
A general engineering contractor performs work requiring specialized engineering knowledge and skill — highways, bridges, earthwork, paving, excavation, sewer and water systems, power plants, pipelines, and similar fixed works statewide.
Experience & Exam Prerequisites
- 4 years verifiable experience at journeyman or foreman level within past 10 years.
- Pass the A trade exam and Law & Business exam.
- Exam: CA A Trade Exam
- Exam: CA Law & Business Exam
Qualifier Role
A CA A qualifier sponsors your company to perform general engineering construction statewide.
Statutory Scope of Work
B general building contractors perform construction, alteration, or repair of buildings requiring at least 2 unrelated building trades statewide — commercial and residential.
Experience & Exam Prerequisites
- 4 years verifiable experience within past 10 years at journeyman or foreman level.
- Pass the B trade exam and Law & Business exam.
- Exam: CA B Trade Exam
- Exam: CA Law & Business Exam
Qualifier Role
A CA B qualifier sponsors your company to perform general building construction statewide.
Statutory Scope of Work
B-2 residential remodeling contractors perform remodeling and repair of residential structures requiring not more than 2 unrelated trades, plus carpentry incidental to the work.
Experience & Exam Prerequisites
- 4 years verifiable residential remodeling experience.
- Pass the B-2 trade exam and Law & Business exam.
- Exam: CA B-2 Trade Exam
- Exam: CA Law & Business Exam
Qualifier Role
A CA B-2 qualifier sponsors your home-remodeling company to pull residential permits statewide.
Specialty Sub-Trades
43 single-trade sub-licenses from the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) — each covers one specific scope of work.
Insulation and Acoustical Contractor (C-2)
C-2 insulation and acoustical contractors install insulating materials and acoustical tile, including weatherproofing, sound control, and thermal insulation.
View CA-C-2 guideBoiler, Hot Water Heating and Steam Fitting Contractor (C-4)
C-4 contractors install, alter, and repair boilers, hot water heating systems, and steam piping, including appurtenances, venting, and related controls.
View CA-C-4 guideFraming and Rough Carpentry Contractor (C-5)
C-5 framing and rough carpentry contractors perform rough carpentry, framing, and structural woodwork for buildings and structures.
View CA-C-5 guideCabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry Contractor (C-6)
C-6 contractors fabricate and install cabinets, millwork, and finish carpentry, including architectural woodwork and finish trim.
View CA-C-6 guideLow Voltage Systems Contractor (C-7)
C-7 low voltage contractors install, alter, and repair low-voltage communication, sound, security, fire alarm, and data systems under 91 voltage threshold.
View CA-C-7 guideConcrete Contractor (C-8)
C-8 concrete contractors place, finish, and repair concrete, including flatwork, foundations, walls, and other concrete construction.
View CA-C-8 guideDrywall Contractor (C-9)
C-9 drywall contractors install, tape, and finish gypsum wallboard, including lath, plaster, and acoustical ceiling systems.
View CA-C-9 guideElectrical Contractor (C-10)
C-10 electrical contractors install, alter, or repair electrical systems statewide — commercial, industrial, and residential, with no voltage ceiling.
View CA-C-10 guideElevator Contractor (C-11)
C-11 elevator contractors install, alter, modernize, and repair elevators, escalators, moving walks, dumbwaiters, and lifts.
View CA-C-11 guideEarthwork and Paving Contractor (C-12)
C-12 earthwork and paving contractors perform excavation, grading, trenching, paving, and surfacing for roads, driveways, parking lots, and site work.
View CA-C-12 guideFencing Contractor (C-13)
C-13 fencing contractors fabricate, install, and repair fences, including wood, chain-link, ornamental metal, and masonry fences.
View CA-C-13 guideFlooring and Floor Covering Contractor (C-15)
C-15 flooring contractors install flooring and floor coverings, including wood, resilient, carpet, tile, and specialty floor systems.
View CA-C-15 guideFire Protection Contractor (C-16)
C-16 fire protection contractors install, alter, and repair fire suppression and fire alarm systems, including sprinklers, extinguishers, and detection.
View CA-C-16 guideGlazing Contractor (C-17)
C-17 glazing contractors fabricate and install glass, mirrors, windows, storefronts, curtain walls, and related glazing systems.
View CA-C-17 guideWarm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor (C-20)
C-20 HVAC contractors install, alter, and repair warm-air heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems statewide — commercial and residential.
View CA-C-20 guideBuilding Moving/Demolition Contractor (C-21)
C-21 building moving and demolition contractors move, raise, or demolish buildings and structures, including wrecking and site clearance.
View CA-C-21 guideAsbestos Abatement Contractor (C-22)
C-22 asbestos abatement contractors remove and abate asbestos-containing materials; requires asbestos certification within held classifications.
View CA-C-22 guideOrnamental Metal Contractor (C-23)
C-23 ornamental metal contractors fabricate and install ornamental metal work, including railings, gates, stairs, and decorative metal.
View CA-C-23 guideLandscaping Contractor (C-27)
C-27 landscaping contractors install and maintain landscapes, including hardscape, irrigation, planting, and drainage.
View CA-C-27 guideLock and Security Equipment Contractor (C-28)
C-28 lock and security equipment contractors install, alter, and repair locks, safes, and security equipment and devices.
View CA-C-28 guideMasonry Contractor (C-29)
C-29 masonry contractors install brick, block, stone, and other masonry units, including mortar and reinforcing.
View CA-C-29 guideConstruction Zone Traffic Control Contractor (C-31)
C-31 traffic control contractors set up and maintain construction zone traffic control devices and systems.
View CA-C-31 guideParking and Highway Improvement Contractor (C-32)
C-32 parking and highway improvement contractors perform paving, striping, and improvement of parking lots, highways, and roadways.
View CA-C-32 guidePainting and Decorating Contractor (C-33)
C-33 painting and decorating contractors perform interior and exterior painting, wall covering, staining, and decorative finishing.
View CA-C-33 guidePipeline Contractor (C-34)
C-34 pipeline contractors install pipelines, underground utilities, sewer and water systems statewide.
View CA-C-34 guideLathing and Plastering Contractor (C-35)
C-35 lathing and plastering contractors install lath and apply plaster, stucco, and ornamental plasterwork.
View CA-C-35 guidePlumbing Contractor (C-36)
C-36 plumbing contractors install, alter, or repair plumbing systems, water supply, sanitary drainage, gas piping, and fixtures statewide.
View CA-C-36 guideRefrigeration Contractor (C-38)
C-38 refrigeration contractors install, alter, and repair refrigeration systems, including commercial and industrial refrigeration.
View CA-C-38 guideRoofing Contractor (C-39)
C-39 roofing contractors install, repair, and replace roofing systems statewide — shingle, tile, metal, flat, and coatings.
View CA-C-39 guideSanitation System Contractor (C-42)
C-42 sanitation system contractors install and repair septic tanks, leach lines, and private sewage disposal systems.
View CA-C-42 guideSheet Metal Contractor (C-43)
C-43 sheet metal contractors select, cut, shape, fabricate, and install sheet metal, including ducts, flashing, gutters, and metal roofing.
View CA-C-43 guideSign Contractor (C-45)
C-45 sign contractors fabricate, install, and erect electrical and non-electrical signs, including wiring of electrical signs.
View CA-C-45 guideSolar Contractor (C-46)
C-46 solar contractors install, alter, and repair thermal and photovoltaic solar energy systems — PV electric, solar water heating, solar pool heating statewide.
View CA-C-46 guideGeneral Manufactured Housing Contractor (C-47)
C-47 manufactured housing contractors install, set up, and repair manufactured homes and mobile structures, including foundations and utility connections.
View CA-C-47 guideTree and Palm Contractor (C-49)
C-49 tree and palm contractors trim, prune, remove, and maintain trees and palms, including stump grinding.
View CA-C-49 guideReinforcing Steel Contractor (C-50)
C-50 reinforcing steel contractors fabricate and place reinforcing steel (rebar) and post-tensioning for concrete construction.
View CA-C-50 guideStructural Steel Contractor (C-51)
C-51 structural steel contractors fabricate and erect structural steel, including columns, beams, and steel framing for buildings.
View CA-C-51 guideSwimming Pool Contractor (C-53)
C-53 swimming pool contractors construct, alter, and repair swimming pools, spas, and associated water features and equipment.
View CA-C-53 guideCeramic and Mosaic Tile Contractor (C-54)
C-54 tile contractors install ceramic, mosaic, and quarry tile, including setting materials, grout, and waterproofing.
View CA-C-54 guideWater Conditioning Contractor (C-55)
C-55 water conditioning contractors install and service water conditioning, softening, and filtration systems.
View CA-C-55 guideWell Drilling Contractor (C-57)
C-57 well drilling contractors drill, install, and repair water wells, pumps, and storage systems, including related casing and grouting.
View CA-C-57 guideWelding Contractor (C-60)
C-60 welding contractors perform structural and ornamental welding, including metal fabrication and joining processes.
View CA-C-60 guideLimited Specialty Contractor (C-61)
C-61 limited specialty is a catch-all classification for specialty contracting not covered by other C-class licenses; the Registrar endorses the specific field and scope of operations on the license. Includes active D-subcategories such as D-3 Awnings, D-6 Concrete Related Services, D-9 Drilling, D-21 Machinery and Pumps, D-28 Doors/Gates, D-30 Pile Driving, D-34 Prefabricated Equipment, D-35 Pool/Spa Maintenance, D-41 Siding and Decking, D-50 Suspended Ceilings, D-62 Air and Water Balancing, D-63 Construction Clean-up, D-64 Non-specialized, and D-65 Weatherization.
View CA-C-61 guideReady to License Your Company in California?
IQS places pre-vetted California qualifying agents or handles full application processing through our partners TLS & TLHQ.
