C-11 Elevator Contractor license in California

Updated November 1, 2026 · Official name from CSLB's classification list

• 221licenses hold C-11
• 96.4%Clear (CA addresses)
• 23.6%workers' comp exempt (all: 49.6%)
• 100%contractor's bond on file
• 12.1 yrsmedian time licensed
• 82.6%businesses, not sole owners

Elevator contractors fabricate, install and repair elevators of every kind: electric, hydraulic and manually operated. CSLB's description goes down to the parts: sheave beams, motors, cables and wire rope, guides, cabs, counterweights, doors (including sidewalk elevator doors), controls and signal systems.

Most C-11 work is in commercial and multifamily buildings, but some homeowners add a residential elevator to stay in a multistory house longer. It is specialized equipment, so check the license and the service plan before you commit.

Typical work under C-11

• New hydraulic or traction elevators
• Residential home elevators
• Elevator cab, door and control upgrades
• Cable, sheave and motor replacement
• Sidewalk elevator doors
• Repair and modernization of existing elevators

Work that needs a different license

• Building the shaft or framing the hoistway: B General Building or C-5 Framing
• The dedicated electrical feed to the elevator: C-10 Electrical
• Steel support framing for a new shaft: C-51 Structural Steel

Tips before hiring

• Ask who will service the unit after installation and what a maintenance contract costs per year.
• Ask for the lead time on parts for the model you are buying.
• Get the shaft, pit and power requirements in writing early so your builder can prepare the space.

Where C-11 contractors are

The cities with the most C-11 license holders in CSLB's current file:

1. Los Angeles: 17
2. Santa Fe Springs: 7
3. Rancho Cucamonga: 5
4. San Francisco: 5
5. Clovis: 4
6. La Verne: 4
7. Long Beach: 4
8. Azusa: 3
9. Concord: 3
10. Garden Grove: 3

How to verify a C-11 license

1. Search the business or license number here and confirm C-11 is listed on the profile.
2. Check the same number on CSLB's Instant License Check.
3. Read our full guide to checking a contractor license.

Related license types

• C-10 Electrical Contractor
• C-51 Structural Steel Contractor
• B General Building Contractor

Source: CSLB public data · Updated November 1, 2026 Status can change at any time. Verify on CSLB's Instant License Check.

More license types: ← C-10 Electrical Contractor · C-12 Earthwork and Paving Contractors →