What "7073E Probation" means on a California contractor license
Updated November 1, 2026 · Secondary (additional) status
CSLB's license page wording: "Probationary license issued pursuant to Business and Professions Code Section 7073(e)."
CSLB issued this license on probation under §7073(e) instead of denying the application outright.
- 428licenses statewide
- 0.2%of all licenses in the file
- 424with a California address
CSLB can turn down a license application. Under B&P Code §7073(e), it can also choose a middle path and issue a probationary license instead. This status marks a license issued that way. The page says: "Probationary license issued pursuant to Business and Professions Code Section 7073(e)."
The license is valid, so the contractor can legally work. What the status tells you is that something in the application gave CSLB enough concern to put conditions on it. The page itself does not explain the reason.
That's not a reason to rule anyone out. It is a reason to read the record closely and ask a straightforward question about it.
What to do if a contractor you're considering shows this status
- Ask the contractor why the license was issued on probation.
- Read the full license record, including Complaint Disclosure, on CSLB's site.
- Confirm the classification, bond and workers' comp details as you would for any license.
- Look the license up again before signing, since flags can be added or removed after our weekly file date.
Always confirm the current status on CSLB's Instant License Check; it can change between our weekly refreshes.
Legal basis
Counties with the highest rate
| County | Licenses with this status | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Lake County | 5 | 0.9% |
| Tuolumne County | 4 | 0.6% |
| Monterey County | 14 | 0.5% |
| Butte County | 9 | 0.5% |
| Amador County | 2 | 0.5% |
| Riverside County | 52 | 0.3% |
| Sonoma County | 14 | 0.3% |
| Santa Barbara County | 10 | 0.3% |
| Madera County | 3 | 0.3% |
| Merced County | 3 | 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 general contractors in Magalia: 2 of 42 (4.8%)
- Licensed general contractors in Coachella: 2 of 43 (4.7%)
- Licensed plumbers in Palm Desert: 2 of 52 (3.8%)
- Licensed tile contractors in Modesto: 2 of 55 (3.6%)
- Licensed landscapers in Salinas: 2 of 59 (3.4%)
- Licensed HVAC contractors in Moreno Valley: 2 of 70 (2.9%)
- Licensed general contractors in Calimesa: 1 of 40 (2.5%)
- Licensed painters in Placerville: 1 of 40 (2.5%)
- Licensed general engineering contractors in Placerville: 1 of 40 (2.5%)
- Licensed plumbers in Tujunga: 1 of 40 (2.5%)
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.