What "Pending Case/CIT" means on a California contractor license
Updated November 1, 2026 · Secondary (additional) status
CSLB's license page wording: "PENDING DISCIPLINARY ACTION"
CSLB has an open disciplinary case or citation against this license; the outcome is not decided yet.
- 587licenses statewide
- 0.2%of all licenses in the file
- 569with a California address
On the license page, this shows up in capital letters: "PENDING DISCIPLINARY ACTION." It means CSLB has opened a disciplinary case or issued a citation, and the matter hasn't been closed. The process runs under B&P Code §7090 and the sections that follow it.
Pending is the key word. Nothing has been decided, and the license may still be active. Still, an open case is a red flag worth asking about before you sign.
Read the Complaint Disclosure section of the license page. Disclosure is restricted by law, so you may not see every detail, but you can usually tell what kind of problem is at issue. If a citation goes unanswered, the license can later move to a suspension.
What to do if a contractor you're considering shows this status
- Read the Complaint Disclosure on CSLB's license page before you sign.
- Ask the contractor directly what the case or citation is about.
- Look the license up again later to see whether the matter turned into a suspension.
- Get other bids so you have a comparison if the answers don't satisfy you.
Always confirm the current status on CSLB's Instant License Check; it can change between our weekly refreshes.
Counties with the highest rate
| County | Licenses with this status | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Tehama County | 5 | 1.3% |
| Kings County | 2 | 0.6% |
| Fresno County | 21 | 0.5% |
| Shasta County | 10 | 0.5% |
| Amador County | 2 | 0.5% |
| Kern County | 14 | 0.4% |
| Butte County | 7 | 0.4% |
| Merced County | 4 | 0.4% |
| Los Angeles County | 153 | 0.3% |
| Sacramento County | 32 | 0.3% |
Counties with at least 300 licenses. Rate = share of local licenses showing this status.
City and trade lists where it is most common
- Licensed landscapers in Hollister: 2 of 43 (4.7%)
- Licensed residential remodeling contractors in Sacramento: 3 of 65 (4.6%)
- Licensed HVAC contractors in Santa Clara: 2 of 44 (4.5%)
- Licensed general contractors in Red Bluff: 4 of 99 (4%)
- Licensed plumbers in Santa Clara: 2 of 50 (4%)
- Licensed electricians in Tarzana: 3 of 79 (3.8%)
- Licensed plumbers in Sherman Oaks: 2 of 53 (3.8%)
- Licensed general contractors in Sanger: 2 of 56 (3.6%)
- Licensed landscapers in Vallejo: 2 of 55 (3.6%)
- Licensed general contractors in San Jacinto: 2 of 71 (2.8%)
We started tracking week-to-week changes with the November 1, 2026 file. Trend data will appear here as history builds up.
Source: CSLB public data · Updated November 1, 2026 Status can change at any time. Verify on CSLB's Instant License Check.