C-53 Swimming Pool Contractor license in California
Updated November 1, 2026 · Official name from CSLB's classification list
- 2,951licenses hold C-53
- 95.9%Clear (CA addresses)
- 41.7%workers' comp exempt (all: 49.6%)
- 99.8%contractor's bond on file
- 14.6 yrsmedian time licensed
- 64.2%businesses, not sole owners
A C-53 contractor builds swimming pools, spas and hot tubs, including solar heating equipment, using whatever trades the construction calls for. It is the license for a new in-ground pool or a major remodel of one.
Pool contracts have extra rules in California. A home improvement contract for a pool must include a plan and scale drawing. Sales staff who sell pools, spas or hot tubs for the builder must be registered as Home Improvement Salespersons. And the general down-payment cap still applies: $1,000 or 10%, whichever is less, unless the license shows a blanket bond.
Typical work under C-53
- New gunite and shotcrete pools
- In-ground spas and hot tubs
- Pool remodels and replastering
- Solar pool heating
- Pool equipment installed during construction
Work that needs a different license
- Repairing pumps, filters and heaters on an existing pool: C-61/D-35 Pool and Spa Maintenance
- Relining a vinyl pool: C-61/D-12 Synthetic Products
- A gas line to the pool heater: C-36 Plumbing
Tips before hiring
- Ask for the plan and scale drawing before you sign, and check that it matches the price.
- Look up the salesperson's HIS registration as well as the company license.
- Ask how the contractor will get equipment into the backyard and who restores damaged landscaping.
- Review the payment schedule against the work stages. Payments can't run ahead of work done.
Where C-53 contractors are
The cities with the most C-53 license holders in CSLB's current file:
- Pool Contractors in Bakersfield: 58
- Pool Contractors in San Diego: 51
- Pool Contractors in Indio: 50
- Pool Contractors in Sylmar: 48
- Pool Contractors in Simi Valley: 42
- Pool Contractors in San Jose: 40
- Pool Contractors in Riverside: 39
- Pool Contractors in Los Angeles: 36
- Pool Contractors in Temecula: 33
- Pool Contractors in Anaheim: 31
All pool contractors lists
Cities with at least 20 C-53 license holders, largest first:
- Bakersfield (58)
- San Diego (51)
- Indio (50)
- Sylmar (48)
- Simi Valley (42)
- San Jose (40)
- Riverside (39)
- Los Angeles (36)
- Temecula (33)
- Anaheim (31)
- Corona (30)
- Santa Ana (30)
- Palm Desert (29)
- Sacramento (29)
- El Cajon (27)
- Cathedral City (26)
- Clovis (25)
- Escondido (25)
- Rancho Cucamonga (25)
- Santa Barbara (25)
- Huntington Beach (24)
- La Quinta (23)
- Orange (23)
- Carlsbad (22)
- Fresno (22)
- Modesto (22)
- Pacoima (20)
- Roseville (20)
How to verify a C-53 license
- Search the business or license number here and confirm C-53 is listed on the profile.
- Check the same number on CSLB's Instant License Check.
- Read our full guide to checking a contractor license.
Related license types
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-51 Structural Steel Contractor · C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile Contractor →