How much does a General Contractor license cost in California?
The California General Contractor license fee is $650, paid to Contractors State License Board (CSLB) — B General Building. Exam fees, the bond premium and insurance are charged separately.
What the state charges
| License fee | $650 |
|---|---|
| Paid to | Contractors State License Board (CSLB) — B General Building |
| Exam | Law & Business exam + B trade exam (both required) |
| 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 original application + $200 initial license (sole owner; non-sole $350 = $800 total), per cslb.ca.gov/About_Us/Library/Fees.aspx. Bond $25,000 (SB 607). License required for jobs $1,000+ (AB 2622). Fingerprinting (~$49) and PSI exam fees separate.
Official fee source: Contractors State License Board (CSLB) — B General Building →
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 Contractors State License Board (CSLB) — B General Building, and prices vary — so we link the options rather than quote a number we cannot source.
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- How much does a General Contractor license cost in California?
- The state license fee is $650, paid to Contractors State License Board (CSLB) — B General Building. Fee = $450 original application + $200 initial license (sole owner; non-sole $350 = $800 total), per cslb.ca.gov/About_Us/Library/Fees.aspx. Bond $25,000 (SB 607). License required for jobs $1,000+ (AB 2622). Fingerprinting (~$49) and PSI exam fees separate.
- 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 General Contractor license requirements →
California General Contractor 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.