Contractor's License Exam

CSLB APPLICATIONS & RELATED LICENSE FORMS

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The "Application for Original Contractor License" is for new applicants for all business entity types, including limited liability companies, when experience and examinations are required. This application will result in a new license. Do not use this form if you have an existing license and wish to add a classification or replace the qualifying individual. View a sample "Application for Original Contractor License."

The "Construction Project Experience" form is to be used when submitting an "Application for Original Contractor License," "Application for Additional Classification," or "Application for Replacing the Qualifying Individual" if requested by CSLB. This form is used in addition to the "Certification of Work Experience" submitted with the application. One form is required for each completed construction project.

(To be used for Business and Professions Code (BPC) § 7065 waiver only - see criteria below.)

The "Application for Original Contractor License - Examination Waiver (7065)" form is to be used for all business entity types, including limited liability companies, for BPC § 7065 waiver-only applicants (e.g., sole owner applying for a corporate license). BPC § 7065 states, in part, "No examination shall be required of a qualifying individual if, within the five-year period immediately preceding the application for licensure, the qualifying individual has either personally passed the written examination for the same classification being applied for, or has served as the qualifying individual for a licensee whose license was in good standing at any time during the five-year period immediately preceding the application for licensure and in the same classification being applied for."

At any time WITHIN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, has the applicant/qualifying individual:

been listed in CSLB records as the qualifier for a license that was in good standing in the same class being applied for, OR
personally passed both the law and trade portions of the written exam in the same class being applied for?
If yes, this application is appropriate.

If no, please use the "Application for Original Contractor License" when an examination will be required. This application will result in a new license. Do not use this form if you have an existing license and wish to add a classification or replace the qualifying individual.

The "Application for Additional Classification" is to be used only for adding classifications to an existing license for all business entity types, including limited liability companies. You can add any classification to an existing license for which you have qualifying experience and for which you pass the applicable examination.

Qualifiers are limited in the number of additional licenses for which they may qualify. Factors such as common ownership between or among the entities being qualified are considered. Persons granted qualifier status are restricted to qualifying for no more than three firms in any one-year period.

A responsible managing employee must inactivate his or her sole proprietor license to qualify for another license and must meet certain employment requirements. For reference purposes, view a sample "Application for Original Contractor License."

The "Application for Replacing the Qualifying Individual" is to be used only for replacing the qualifying individual on an existing license for all business entity types, including limited liability companies (LLC). You can replace qualifying individuals on a sole ownership license with the existing owner or a qualified responsible managing employee (RME); on a partnership with an existing general partner or a qualified RME; on a corporation with a qualified RME or qualified responsible managing officer; and on an LLC with a qualified RME, qualified responsible managing officer, qualified responsible managing member, or qualified responsible managing manager.

Replacement of the qualifier must be made within 90 days of disassociation to avoid a suspension of the license. Notification can be made by the owner, partner, officer, member, manager, or the qualifier who is leaving by using the "Disassociation Request" form. Replacement of the qualifier may be made by submitting the Application for Replacing the Qualifying Individual and appropriate fees.

Qualifiers are limited in the number of additional licenses for which they may qualify. Factors such as common ownership between or among the entities being qualified are considered. Persons granted qualifier status are restricted to qualifying no more than three firms in any one-year period.

An RME must inactivate his or her sole ownership license to qualify for another license and must meet certain employment requirements. On a sole ownership license, the RME may be replaced by the existing owner or by another RME. On a partnership license, the RME may be replaced by an existing general partner or by another RME. Note, however, an additional general partner may not be added to an existing partnership license - a new license would need to be obtained. On a corporate license, the RME may be replaced by a responsible managing officer or another RME. On an LLC license, the RME may be replaced by another RME, a responsible managing officer, responsible managing member, or responsible managing manager.

Failure to replace the disassociated qualifying individual within 90 days from the date of his or her disassociation will result in the automatic suspension of a license that is on active status. If the license has more than one classification and the qualifier for the other class or classes remains on the license, the licensee may continue to operate in the remaining class or classes. The class qualified by the person who disassociated will be removed at the end of the 90 days unless replacement is made within that time. For reference purposes, view a sample "Application for Original Contractor License."

Use this form if you are a licensee or applicant and want to make allowable changes to your business name(s). If a business name is changed, it must reflect the type of business you operate and the classification in which you are licensed. For example, a sole ownership license cannot add the word "Corporation" to the business name.

Copies of the wall certificate and/or pocket card may be ordered by the license holder only. To order copies, complete the appropriate sections on this form.

This application should be completed only to change the title of a current officer or personnel already on record for an existing corporate license (officer only) or for an existing limited liability company (LLC) license (officer, manager, or member only). Only one officer or personnel title may be changed per form; each additional officer or personnel must use a separate form. This form cannot be used to replace the qualifying individual, to add new personnel, or to disassociate personnel from a license; use other appropriate forms for those purposes.

This form must be received at CSLB Headquarters within 90 days after the death/disassociation of personnel or the dissolution, merger or surrender of a corporation's right to do business in California. Failure to notify CSLB within 90 days will cause the license to be canceled, effective the date CSLB receives this form. A request for a continuance must be made in writing and received at CSLB Headquarters within 90 days of the death/disassociation of personnel. (BPC § 7076)

A responsible managing employee or limited partner cannot submit or sign this form.

To cancel a sole ownership license, the signature of the owner is required. If the owner is deceased, an immediate family member may complete the form. Please include a copy of the death certificate or obituary.
To cancel a partnership license, the signature of a general or qualifying partner is required.
To cancel a corporate or limited liability company license, the cancellation request must be:

1. Signed by two current officers listed in CSLB records; or

2. If there is only one current officer, member, or manager listed in CSLB records, his/her signature is required, or

3. If there are no current officers listed in CSLB records, provide a copy of the corporation's or limited liability company's final dissolution, merger, surrender, cancellation, or conversion filing documents completed by the California Secretary of State.

To cancel a joint venture license, the signature of an individual listed on one of the entities that comprise the joint venture license is required.

A joint venture license may be issued to any combination of two or more licenses issued to sole ownerships, partnerships, corporations, limited liability companies, or other joint licenses. The joint venture license may be issued in any classification held by at least one of the entities.

Use this form to notify CSLB of the disassociation of a general partner, qualifying partner, officer, member, responsible managing officer (RMO), responsible managing employee (RME), responsible managing member (RMM), or responsible managing manager (RMG). This notice must be received at CSLB Headquarters within 90 days after the effective date of the disassociation. If the notice is received after 90 days, the date CSLB receives it will be used as the disassociation date. This may result in the suspension or cancellation of the license or the removal of a classification from the license, effective that date. (BPC § 7076, 7068.2, and 7083)

DISASSOCIATION OF A GENERAL PARTNER OR QUALIFYING PARTNER
If a general or qualifying partner disassociates from a license, it results in the cancellation of the partnership license. Pursuant to BPC § 7076, the remaining partner(s) may request a continuance to complete projects in progress.

DISASSOCIATION OF AN RME, RMO, RMM, or RMG
When an RME, RMO, RMM, or RMG disassociates from a license, the licensee or the RME, RMO, RMM, or RMG must notify CSLB in writing. The licensee must replace the qualifier within 90 days of the disassociation date. Failure to replace the qualifier within 90 days results in the automatic suspension of the license or removal of the classification. If a licensee is unable to replace the RME, RMO, RMM, or RMG within the 90-day period, a 90-day extension can be requested. An extension request will only be considered if received within 90 days from the date of CSLB's notice that the license will be suspended or the classification removed, if an application has been made to CSLB to replace the qualifying individual, and if one or more of the following circumstances apply:

•The licensee is disputing the date of disassociation,
•The qualifier has died, or
•There has been a delay in processing the application that is out of the applicant's control and is the responsibility of CSLB or an affiliated state or federal agency.

CSLB will only accept a cashier’s check or a bank-certified check in the requisite amount as an alternative to a contractor bond, bond of qualifying individual, LLC employee/worker bond or disciplinary bond. All cash alternatives to bonds must be retained by CSLB for three years after the end of the last license period for which it provides coverage, or three years following license inactivation, expiration, cancellation or revocation, whichever occurs first. {Section 7071.4, Business & Professions Code}

The "Request for Current Bond Information" form is used to obtain information on a license's current surety bonds; the fee is $8 and must accompany the request. "Current" bond status covers the last three years. Individuals who intend to make a claim against a contractor bond or cash deposit should submit a "Request for Current Bond Information." To obtain additional surety bond history, use the "Request for Certified License History" (form 13L-2b).

All licenses on active status and all applicants for issuance of the license must file evidence of workers' compensation insurance or an exemption from the requirements.

You cannot file for an exemption if:

•You have employees, including Home Improvement Salespersons (HIS) or a qualifier who is a Responsible Managing Employee (RME).
•You hold a C-8 Concrete classification - all contractors with a C-8 Concrete classification are required by B&P Section 7125 to have a Certificate of Workers' Compensation Insurance or a Certificate of Self-Insurance on file with CSLB.
•You hold a C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning classification - all contractors with a C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning classification are required by B&P Section 7125 to have a Certificate of Workers' Compensation Insurance or a Certificate of Self-Insurance on file with CSLB.
•You hold a C-22 Asbestos classification - all contractors with a C-22 Asbestos classification are required by B&P Section 7125 to have a Certificate of Workers' Compensation Insurance or a Certificate of Self-Insurance on file with CSLB.
•You hold a C-39 Roofing classification - all contractors with a C-39 Roofing classification are required by B&P Section 7125 to have a Certificate of Workers' Compensation Insurance or a Certificate of Self-Insurance on file with CSLB.
You hold a C-61/D-49 Tree Service classification - all contractors with a C-61/D-49 Tree Service classification are required by B&P Section 7125 to have a Certificate of Workers' Compensation Insurance or a Certificate of Self-Insurance on file with CSLB.

If you are an out-of-state licensee who holds a C-8 Concrete classification, C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning classification, C-22 Asbestos Abatement classification, C-39 Roofing classification, C-61/D-49 Tree Service classification and/or has a RME and your employees do not reside in California, please use the printable pdf exemption form 13L-50. You must submit the completed exemption form with your certificate of insurance from your home-state workers’ compensation insurance carrier.

You must be an owner, partner, officer, member or manager to file an Exemption.

If you are a California licensed contractor, but reside out of state and have Workers' Compensation in that State, you can fill out the Exemption form using this process, however, when prompted, you will need to print, email, or save the document to your own device. You cannot submit the document online, the exemption and the out of state certificate must be submitted by mail.

This document must be completed by all applicants for licensure who have any criminal plea(s) and/or conviction(s). This form shall list each plea or conviction, regardless of when the crime was committed, or whether it was dismissed or expunged. One form must be completed for each plea/conviction reported and all fields of this document require completion. Failure to report a plea/conviction as requested on the application is considered falsification of the application and may result in the denial of licensure.

Use this form if you are a currently licensed contractor who performs asbestos-related contracting in relation to the other classification(s) held by the licensee. When a licensee has qualified for this certification, it is added to the license much like an additional classification. To obtain the asbestos certification, a contractor must be registered with the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA).

Please note that this application is not for the asbestos open-book examination that is required for asbestos awareness purposes by all applicants for licensure. (That exam booklet is furnished to applicants with their notices to comply with issuance requirements.)

If you are an existing contactor who wants to add the C-22 Asbestos Abatement classification to perform asbestos abatement work as a stand-alone classification, use the "Application for Additional Classification."

The asbestos certification and the C-22 classification are not required for bidding purposes only, as long as the contractor subcontracts with and the work is performed by a duly licensed asbestos abatement contractor.

Contractors who perform hazardous substance removal work at specific sites and/or who bid for the installation or removal of, or install or remove, underground storage tanks must complete the application for hazardous substances certification to add the certification to their existing licenses. Eligibility for this certification is limited to licensees who hold the "A" General Engineering, "B" General Building, "C-12" Earthwork and Paving, "C-36" Plumbing, "C-57" Well Drilling (Water), or "C-61/D-40" Service Station Equipment and Maintenance (only those licensees who currently hold this classification) license classification.

The "Application for Registration as a Home Improvement Salesperson" (HIS) is for the registration of a person who will be employed by a licensed contractor to solicit, sell, negotiate, or execute home improvement contracts. An HIS registration is a stand-alone registration that is valid for a two-year period before it must be renewed. Before an HIS registrant can work for a licensed contractor, the contractor must first notify CSLB of their employment of the registered HIS using the "Contractor Notification of Home Improvement Salesperson Employment" form. When an HIS no longer works for a licensed contractor, the contractor is required to notify CSLB of the cessation of HIS' employment using the "Contractor Notification of Home Improvement Salesperson Employment Cessation" form.

A general status letter provides current information about a license. A fee of $8 must accompany your request for a general status letter. The information includes the business name and address, classifications held, owners, partners, or officers and qualifying persons, and current standing. The general status letter does not contain license history or bond information. Please allow two to three weeks for a response.

In compliance with The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), CSLB provides applicants with ADA-compliant accommodations for taking the examinations. Applicants requesting accommodation must complete the "Accommodation Request for Examination" form (Form 13E-77) and submit it with their application. Verification by a medical authority or learning institution may also be required.

This form is to be used to report and confirm the journey-level work experience requirement. Include this form when submitting an "Application for Original Contractor License," "Application for Additional Classification," or "Application for Replacing the Qualifying Individual."

EXAMPLES OF TRADE DUTIES FOR CERTIFICATION OF WORK EXPERIENCE