Free quiz

Which Contractor License Do I Need in California?

Answer six questions about the work you do. The picker compares your answers with CSLB’s own definitions of the A, B, B-2 and C classifications and points to the classroom course for the closest match. It runs in your browser and nothing you choose is sent or stored.

Take the six-question trade picker

Pick the answer that matches how you work today. The picker scores your answers against CSLB’s definitions, shown further down this page. It is a starting point, not a licensing decision: confirm your choice in CSLB’s Description of Classifications before you apply.

1. What kind of projects do you take on?

Optional. Skip it if you mostly coordinate other trades.

3. Where does most of your work happen?
4. How do you mainly work?
5. Would you take contracts that include work by other trades?
6. How many unrelated building trades does a typical project of yours involve?

What A, B, B-2 and C mean to CSLB

CSLB says it “issues licenses to contract in particular trades or fields of the construction profession.” These are its definitions of the general and specialty classifications, quoted from its Description of Classifications.

  • A: General Engineering Contractor

    “The principal business is in connection with fixed works requiring specialized engineering knowledge and skill.”

    • CSLB’s list of fixed works includes irrigation, drainage, flood control, dams, levees, railroads, highways, streets and roads, tunnels, airports, sewers and sewage disposal plants, bridges, pipelines, parks and playgrounds, land leveling and earthmoving, and excavating, grading, trenching and paving.
    CSLB Description of Classifications, Business and Professions Code section 7056
  • B: General Building Contractor

    “The principal business is in connection with any structure built, being built, or to be built, requiring in its construction the use of at least two unrelated building trades or crafts.”

    • A general building contractor may take a prime contract or a subcontract for a framing or carpentry project. For a project involving other trades, CSLB’s text says it shall not take a prime contract unless the contract requires at least two unrelated building trades or crafts other than framing or carpentry, or unless the contractor holds the appropriate license classification or subcontracts with an appropriately licensed contractor. Framing and carpentry cannot be counted toward those two trades.
    • A general building contractor may not contract for a project that includes C-16 Fire Protection or C-57 Well Drilling unless it holds that classification or subcontracts with an appropriately licensed contractor.
    CSLB Description of Classifications, Business and Professions Code section 7057
  • B-2: Residential Remodeling Contractor

    “The principal business is in connection with any existing residential wood frame structure with nonstructural projects requiring at least three unrelated building trades or crafts.”

    • A residential remodeling contractor shall not take a contract unless it includes three or more unrelated trades or crafts. It may self-perform its contract or subcontract any of the trades to appropriately licensed subcontractors.
    • It shall not contract to make structural changes to load bearing portions of an existing structure, such as footings, foundations, load bearing walls, partitions and roof structures.
    • It shall not contract to install, replace, substantially alter or extend electrical, mechanical or plumbing systems unless it holds the appropriate license classification or subcontracts with an appropriately licensed contractor.
    CSLB Description of Classifications, Business and Professions Code section 7057.5
  • C: Specialty Contractor

    “There are 42 separate “C” license classifications for contractors whose construction work requires special skill and whose principal contracting business involves the use of specialized building trades or crafts.”

    • CSLB: “Each separate trade is recognized as a ‘classification.’ Licensed contractors may add any classification for which they are qualified, upon application and examination.”
    • C-61 Limited Specialty is limited to a field and scope of operations, other than the listed specialty classifications, for which the applicant is qualified. CSLB’s Get Licensed to Build says: “No trade exam is required for the C-61 Limited Specialty license.”
    CSLB Description of Classifications, Business and Professions Code section 7058

ASB and HAZ are certifications

CSLB’s Licensing Classifications page lists two entries under the heading “Certifications.”

  • CSLB lists ASB under “Certifications” and says: “Contractors with an asbestos certification can only perform abatement work within the license classification(s) they already hold.”
  • CSLB lists HAZ under “Certifications” and says: “Hazardous substance removal certifications are only issued to contractors who hold an “A”, “B”, C-12, C-21, C-36, C-57, or C-61/D-40 contractor license.” They require a separate application.

Source: CSLB, Licensing Classifications.

Contractor license classification questions

Which contractor license do I need in California?

It depends on the work you contract to do. CSLB says each separate trade is recognized as a classification. It issues three general classifications, A (general engineering), B (general building) and B-2 (residential remodeling), and 42 separate C specialty classifications. Answer the six questions above to see which classification your work is closest to, then check CSLB’s Description of Classifications before you apply.

Source: CSLB, Description of Classifications.

What is the difference between a B and a B-2 contractor license?

CSLB describes a B general building contractor’s principal business as being in connection with any structure built, being built, or to be built, requiring the use of at least two unrelated building trades or crafts. It describes a B-2 residential remodeling contractor’s principal business as being in connection with any existing residential wood frame structure with nonstructural projects requiring at least three unrelated building trades or crafts. A B-2 contractor shall not contract to make structural changes to load bearing portions of an existing structure.

Source: CSLB, Description of Classifications.

Can a B general building contractor take a job that involves only one trade?

CSLB’s description of the B classification (Business and Professions Code section 7057) allows a general building contractor to take a prime contract or a subcontract for a framing or carpentry project. For a project involving other trades, it says a general building contractor shall not take a prime contract unless the contract requires at least two unrelated building trades or crafts other than framing or carpentry, or unless the contractor holds the appropriate license classification or subcontracts with an appropriately licensed contractor. Framing and carpentry cannot be counted toward those two trades.

Source: CSLB, Description of Classifications.

Can I hold more than one contractor license classification?

CSLB says licensed contractors may add any classification for which they are qualified, upon application and examination. The license steps checklist on this site follows the order of the steps CSLB lays out for an original license.

Source: CSLB, Description of Classifications.

Every classification the classroom teaches

Each link opens the classroom course page for that classification. The list uses the names CSLB prints on its Licensing Classifications page.

General contractors

Specialty (C) contractors

Certifications

Found your classification? Follow the California contractor license steps, build a study schedule for your exam date, or try the classroom free. See pricing when you are ready.

Official sources

Definitions on this page come from the documents below, reviewed on November 1, 2026. CSLB can change its classifications, so confirm anything that affects you with CSLB.

Practice with the real classroom

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Independent exam preparation. Contractors Classroom is not affiliated with the Contractors State License Board or PSI, and no course can guarantee a passing result. Procedures and requirements change: confirm anything that affects you with CSLB and PSI.