California Contractor License Lookup
Check a contractor license before you hire. Check any California contractor's license, bond and workers' comp, from CSLB public data, updated weekly.
243,988 licenses · updated November 1, 2026 · independent, not affiliated with CSLB
Contractor Lookout covers California today, using the Contractors State License Board's public file.
How to check a contractor's license
- Search the name or number. Every license in CSLB's public file has a profile with its status, classes, bond and workers' comp.
- Read the badge. Green means no issues in the file; amber means check before hiring; red means not currently in good standing.
- Confirm live on CSLB. Status can change any day, so verify on CSLB's Instant License Check before you sign.
Read the full guide to checking a contractor license →
- 243,988licenses in the file
- 87.6%show no issues (CA addresses)
- 11,507currently suspended
- 49.6%claim a workers' comp exemption
Licensed contractors by city
- Los Angeles (6,780)
- San Diego (6,060)
- San Jose (5,134)
- Sacramento (4,239)
- San Francisco (3,910)
- Bakersfield (2,822)
- Riverside (2,759)
- Fresno (2,584)
- Anaheim (2,163)
- Santa Rosa (2,142)
- Escondido (1,797)
- Oakland (1,650)
- Santa Ana (1,551)
- Corona (1,540)
- Long Beach (1,484)
- El Cajon (1,461)
- Huntington Beach (1,418)
- Irvine (1,394)
- Simi Valley (1,355)
- Orange (1,343)
Popular license types
- General Contractors (107,757)
- Electricians (29,124)
- Limited Specialty Contractors (19,063)
- Plumbers (18,279)
- Painters (16,194)
- General Engineering Contractors (15,229)
- Landscapers (12,644)
- HVAC Contractors (12,227)
- Flooring Contractors (7,112)
- Tile Contractors (6,387)
- Roofers (5,805)
- Concrete Contractors (5,608)
- Low Voltage Contractors (4,909)
- Cabinet and Finish Carpentry Contractors (4,450)
- Drywall Contractors (3,335)
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a contractor license in California?
Search the contractor's name or license number above, then confirm the result on CSLB's Instant License Check. Look for a Clear status, the right classification for your job, a contractor's bond and workers' comp. Our step-by-step guide walks through each one.
Is this the CSLB website?
No. Contractor Lookout is independent and not affiliated with CSLB or the State of California. We republish CSLB's free public license file, refreshed weekly, and add city and trade lists, plain-English status explanations and change history.
How many California contractor licenses are suspended right now?
11,507 of the 243,988 licenses in CSLB's file dated November 1, 2026 have a suspension. The most common reason is a missing contractor's bond (6,546), followed by workers' comp (2,983). See what each status means.
Do I need a licensed contractor for a small job?
In California, any job of $1,000 or more in combined labor and materials, or any job that needs a building permit, requires a licensed contractor. Read the $1,000 minor-work rule.
Guides
- The $1,000 minor work exemption in California
- How much can a contractor ask for as a down payment in California?
- How to check a contractor's workers' comp in California
- Contractor bonds explained
- Hiring a contractor in California: a checklist
- How to file a complaint with CSLB
Source: CSLB public data · Updated November 1, 2026 Status can change at any time. Verify on CSLB's Instant License Check.