Do I need a License?
According to the California Department of Consumer Affairs Contractors State License Board (CSLB) page, businesses and individuals who construct or alter any building, highway, road, parking facility, railroad, excavation, or other structure in California must be licensed to perform work. This only applies if the total cost (labor and materials) of one or more contracts on the project exceeds $500.
Those who violate California law by contracting without a license face steep fines. First time offenses for contracting without a license are usually a misdemeanor, carrying a potential sentence of up to six months in jail and/or a $500 fine, along with a potential administrative fine ranging from $200 to $15,000. However, subsequent violations can be harsh, with penalties ranging from a fine of 20 percent of the contract price of the work performed to a $4,500 fine, and a mandatory 90 day jail sentence for the unlicensed contractor.
