How much does a Electrician license cost in California?
The California Electrician license fee is $650, paid to CSLB — C-10 Electrical Contractor. Exam fees, the bond premium and insurance are charged separately.
What the state charges
| License fee | $650 |
|---|---|
| Paid to | CSLB — C-10 Electrical Contractor |
| Exam | Law & Business + C-10 trade exam |
| Bond | $25,000 bond amount — you pay an annual premium, not this figure |
| Renewal | Every 2 year(s) |
Fee breakdown and fine print
Fee = $450 application + $200 initial license (sole owner). C-10 = contractor license; journeyman electrician certified separately by DIR.
Official fee source: CSLB — C-10 Electrical Contractor →
What else you pay before the first job
The licence fee is the smallest line item for most people starting out. These are charged by private providers, not by CSLB — C-10 Electrical Contractor, and prices vary — so we link the options rather than quote a number we cannot source.
Forming your LLC
Forms your LLC for $39 + state fee. Privacy-first — never sells your data, no upsells.
Form your LLC →Truck and tools
Equipment & work-truck loans — works with brand-new businesses and finances used gear.
Financing options →Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Electrician license cost in California?
- The state license fee is $650, paid to CSLB — C-10 Electrical Contractor. Fee = $450 application + $200 initial license (sole owner). C-10 = contractor license; journeyman electrician certified separately by DIR.
- How much does the California contractor bond cost?
- The required bond amount is $25,000, but you do not pay that. You pay an annual premium to a surety, priced off your credit and the bond amount.
- What other costs are there beyond the license fee?
- Beyond the state fee you should budget for the exam, general liability insurance, forming your business entity, and the truck and tools you need to take the first job. Those are billed by separate providers, not the licensing board.
Related
Full California Electrician license requirements →
California Electrician license reciprocity →
Every figure is sourced to the official state board and may change — confirm before acting. Information to help you launch, not legal advice.