Guides
Hire a California contractor with confidence
Short, sourced guides based on CSLB consumer advice.
How to check a California contractor license
Step-by-step: verify a California contractor's license, bond and workers' comp before you hire.
Read guide →California contractor license classifications explained
Plain-English guide to every CSLB license class: A, B, B-2 and C specialty trades.
Read guide →Contractor bonds & workers' comp exemptions explained
What a California contractor's $25,000 bond covers and what a workers' comp 'Exempt' status means.
Read guide →Red flags when hiring a contractor in California
Warning signs of unlicensed or risky contractors, based on CSLB consumer guidance.
Read guide →Free weekly email
New and lapsed SoCal licenses, every Monday
New licenses, expirations and workers' comp lapses across five counties. One short email a week.