Find My Licensed Contractor

To get a list of licensed contractors in any area of California, simply enter either a city or zip code and pick the license classification you want.

You’ll get a randomly generated list of all eligible contractors in that license classification whose CSLB license of record is in the area you entered.

From there you can either choose the entire list, or pick and choose contractors into a smaller list, then download into a PDF or Excel spreadsheet.

• Click here for a description and list of contractors' license classifications.

How are licensed contractors broken down into categories?

CSLB licenses contractors in four different categories:

1. “A” General Engineering Contractor

2. “B” General Building Contractor

3. “C” Specialty Contractor

4. “D” Limited Specialty Contractor

In addition to the General Engineering and General Building categories, there are 42 specialty contractor license classifications, and more than 30 limited specialty classifications, which fall under the C-61 classification.

Examples of specialty contractors are “C-10” Electrical Contractors, “C-27” Landscape Contractors, “C-33” Painting Contractors, “C-36” Plumbing Contractors, and “C-53” Swimming Pool Contractors. The limited specialty classifications include “C-61/D-28” Doors, Gates and Activating Device Contractors, “C-61/D-35” Pool and Spa Maintenance Contractors, and “C-61/D-49” Tree Service Contractors.

Click here to see a list of all CSLB license classifications, as well as a description of each.

In general, what’s the difference between a General Engineering, General Building, Specialty, and Limited Specialty Contractors?

“A” General Engineering Contractors and “B” General Building Contractors usually oversee projects and coordinate the specific licensed subcontractors for a job.

“A” contractors undertake construction of infrastructure and other projects that require specialized engineering knowledge and skills. “B” contractors are typically responsible for construction of buildings, housing, commercial properties, offices, etc. A “B” contractors may contract for specialty work, but only if they also hold a “C” specialty license for that work or hire a licensed specialty contractor do that work. “B” contractors cannot legally do a job if it only involves one trade. If your job requires more than two types of work (carpentry, plumbing, and electrical), it’s appropriate for you to hire a licensed “B” general building contractor to oversee the entire project.

A “C” Specialty Contractor, or trade subcontractors usually are hired to perform a single job. For example, if you need only roofing, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, or landscaping work, you’ll want to hire a contractor licensed in that particular specialty.

• Click here for a list of CSLB's Most Wanted.

In our ongoing effort to protect California consumers, CSLB has identified some of the worst unlicensed violators who are known to prey on vulnerable and unsuspecting homeowners when they are seeking contractors for new home or home improvement projects. Complaints against the following unlicensed individuals have been lodged with CSLB, law enforcement agencies, and district attorneys around the state.

Click here for a list of CSLB's Most Wanted.