A license is generally required when any trigger applies.
The work requires a building permit, uses employee labor, or the total project cost—including labor, materials, and other items—is $1,000 or more.
The minor-work exemption is narrow
To remain exempt, the project must be below $1,000, require no building permit, use no employees, and not be part of a larger project. Work cannot be divided into smaller contracts to evade the law.
Do not advertise as licensed
An unlicensed person cannot represent that they hold a CSLB license. Licensed advertising must use the actual license number.
Subcontractors need the proper license too
The licensing requirement applies to prime contractors, subcontractors, specialty contractors, and home-improvement businesses.