How to Become a General (B) Building Contractor in California

The California construction industry employs close to one million workers thanks to the population boom over the last two years. In fact, in the 174-year history of the state, the only short-lived period of population loss was during the COVID pandemic, where California lost about 1% of its population.

The recent population boom only increases the demand for licensed contractors. California has the second highest employment level for construction workers, behind Texas, and according to ZipRecruiter.com, general contractors in the state earn an average annual income around $95,000.

What is the General Building Contractor (B) License?

General building contractors construct new buildings, rehab old buildings, and improve or modify existing structures. General contractors are involved in a variety of projects, such as single- and multi-family housing, business complexes, and large-scale commercial developments.

California law requires a license for any work valued over $1000, including labor and materials. Licenses are issued by the Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB). Generally, the steps to become licensed include completing an application, paying the required fees, getting a background check, verifying work experience, and passing an exam.

The state defines a general building contractor as someone who constructs new structures for the support, shelter or enclosure of persons, animals, chattels, or moveable property. This license allows contractors to work on projects that involve at least two unrelated building trades, and are responsible for the overall completion of a structure.

Building contractors can be the primary contractor or subcontractor on a project for a framing or carpentry project. The only exception to this is if the contractor holds the appropriate specialty license or subcontracts someone with the appropriate specialty license when the project falls outside of framing or carpentry.

In this blog, we’ll walk through the steps to becoming a licensed general building contractor in California.

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Steps to Obtain Your CA General B License

The general licensing process includes seven steps:

1. Determine eligibility. You must be 18 years or older. You will need either a valid Social Security Number or ITIN.

2. Complete the exam application form. The application in its entirety must be completed prior to taking the examination. The multi-step process will include paying fees, getting fingerprinted, verifying work experience, and scheduling the exam.

3. Submit the application and pay the required fees. The current application fee is $450 and must be submitted with the application to begin the process. The application and fees can be submitted to:

Contractors State Licensing Board
PO Box 26000
Sacramento, CA 95826

4. Get a background check. Applicants must submit fingerprints as part of the mandatory criminal background check. A Request for Live Scan Service form will be sent to you by CSLB. You will need to fill out the third section and take three copies of the completed form BCII 8016 to an approved Live Scan station to have your fingerprints processed and submitted to the FBI and DOJ.

5. Verify work experience and submit the appropriate forms. The CSLB may require that you complete the Certificate of Work Experience form(s). Not all applicants will have to submit this paperwork. Licensees are chosen randomly, so it’s good practice to have these forms ready in the event you need them.

6. Schedule and take the exams. You’re required to take the Building Contractor Exam and the Law and Business Exam. You must pass each with a score of 72% or better. PSI Testing Centers proctor the tests. You have 18 months from acceptance of your application to take the exams. These exams are closed-book so ensure you study and properly prepare before scheduling your exam.

7. Obtain your license. Once you’ve passed the exam, you will receive a Bond and Fee letter in the mail listing the insurance requirements specific to your application and the licensing fee (currently it is $200).

The last few hoops to jump through in California include taking the asbestos open-book exam and obtaining a $25,000 surety bond. This bond is designed to protect your customers in the event that the construction is defective, or if your employees do not receive the wages due them.

In place of a bond, you can also file a cashier's check for $25,000 with CSLB.

The CA Building Contractor Exam & Law and Business Exam

The trade exam is closed book and has 115 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within 3.5 hours. The exam is divided into five major sections:

Planning and Estimating (17%)

Framing and Structural Components (22%)

Core Trades (30%)

Finish Trades (19%)

Safety (12%)

The law and business exam also has 115 multiple-choice questions and a 3.5-hour time limit. The closed-book exam is divided into seven major sections:

Business Organization and Licensing (13%)

Business Finances (15%)

Employment Requirements (20%)

Insurance and Liens (12%)

Contract Requirements and Execution (21%)

Public Works (5%)

Safety (14%)

For the required exams, California also accepts the NASCLA Commercial Building exam for the California General Building (B) contractor exam as of April 2025. However, there is a stipulation. Non-California residents who want to work in the state may qualify to waive the California General Contractor (B) trade exam if they: are licensed in another state, have held that license in good standing for at least 5 years, and have passed the NASCLA exam.

However, California residents must take the California-specific trade exam, regardless of any NASCLA credentials.

Education Requirements for General Contractors

Having an education is not required for licensure. However, the CSLB may grant credit toward the work experience requirement for completing an apprenticeship program, technical training school, or other education from an accredited school.

How much credit is applied is reviewed on a case-by-case basis as follows:

Community College Credit: A maximum of 1.5 years. You must obtain an AA degree from an accredited school or college in building management or construction management.

Four-year Degree: A maximum of 2 years. Acceptable degrees include accounting, architecture, business, economics, mathematics, physics, or a professional law degree. Credit may be given for other coursework related to the construction trade.

Apprenticeship: A maximum of 3 years. Applicants must have either a certificate of completion of apprenticeship or a four-year degree in construction technology or construction management.

Apprenticeship programs, technical colleges, and military training are excellent licensing paths for future contractors. Apprenticeships are most commonly offered through trade organizations or unions. One of the benefits of apprenticeships is that your work experience is paid.

Most programs take three to five years to complete, but you exit the program at the journeyman level. Building California maintains a list of union apprenticeship programs throughout the state.

Vocational schools and community colleges offer construction training programs. Many of these programs offer job placement services. California Community Colleges provides a list of statewide colleges with construction management programs.

Experience Requirements

Licensees must have at least four years of journeyman-level experience within the last 10 years to apply for a license; that is, licensees must be able to do the job without supervision. Education can count toward some of the experience requirements. However, you must have on-the-job experience as a journeyman, foreman, supervisor, or contractor.

Applicants are required to provide proof of experience, which must be verified by someone other than the applicant. Employers, coworkers, other journeymen, contractors, union representatives, building inspectors, architects, engineers, business associates, or homeowners can confirm employment and relevant experience.

The CSLB maintains a list of acceptable documentation for work experience verification. Additionally, anyone verifying experience must complete CSLB’s Certification of Work Experience form.

Licensing Information

The CSLB issues two B-level licenses: General Building Contractor (B) and Residential Remodeling Contractor (B-2). In addition, the CSLB issues several specialty C-level contractor licenses.

General contractors work on all building projects with few limitations. Residential remodeling contractors are restricted to upgrades or improvements to existing wood structures and are prohibited from making any structural changes to load-bearing portions of a structure.

Get a quick breakdown in all the costs associated with becoming a general building contractor in California in this infographic.

Conclusion: Ready to Become a CA General Contractor?

With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics right around the corner and the booming economy in California, now is an excellent time to get your general building contractor license. While the process has many moving parts, once you have four years of journey-level experience under your belt, the only left to do is study for the trade and law and business exams.

Contractor Training Center is your partner in exam preparation and license submittal. When you're ready to take the next step, enroll in our California General Building Contractor Exam prep courses. We’re here to help every step of the way!

Think you're ready to take your exam? Make sure with our General Building Contractor Exam Checklist!

FAQ

Can I become a general contractor in California with a criminal conviction?

Yes! Although CSLB may deny you a license if they believe your conviction pertains to a contractor's regular duties, they can issue a license if you've demonstrated that you have been sufficiently rehabilitated.

What do I bring to the licensing exam?

You should plan to arrive at the PSI test center 30 minutes prior to the start of your exam and bring a government-issued photo id such as a valid driver's license or US passport.

What if I fail one or both of my exams?

If you fail the law and business and/or trade exam, you will need to pay a non-refundable charge of $100 to reschedule each test. CSLB allows up to 18 months after your application has been accepted to pass your exams. After this time, your application will become void, and you will need to submit another application and repay your fees. Your exam results are good for five years, so if you fail one but pass another, you can still retake and pass the failed exam within that time.

Do I get a certificate from CSLB proving that I'm now licensed?

Yes: CSLB will send you a wall certificate and plastic pocket card with your name, license number, classification, date of issuance, and the expiration date. You are required by California law to display your wall certificate in your office or wherever you mainly conduct your business and provide proof of licensure to anyone when asked.

You will receive your certificate and pocket license card roughly 5 to 10 business days from when CSLB issues your license.

How long is my CA B license valid?

Your license will be valid for 2 years. It will expire 2 years from the last day of the month it was issued.

What if CSLB rejects my application?

Applications CSLB feels are incomplete or inadequate will be returned to you. You will then need to provide any missing information or make any needed corrections before returning the application no more than 90 days from the day it was returned.

Failing to correct your returned application will cause it to become void after the 90 days. Such an application cannot be reinstated and you will need to submit a new application along with the processing fee.

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