General Building (B)
Contractors License

B - General Building Contractors License Description

A crucial credential for professionals looking to oversee and manage construction projects in residential and commercial settings, a general contractors license is issued by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) in California.

A general building contractor is a professional who supervises and coordinates construction projects that involve two or more unrelated trades, ensuring compliance with construction industry standards and regulations of the state.

• Residential and commercial buildings.
• New construction and home improvement projects, including remodels and renovations.
• Multi-trade projects that cover framing, carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, HVAC installations, and more.
• Structural and non-structural construction projects.

General building contractors not only coordinate trades but also manage project planning, budgeting, and scheduling and hire subcontractors for specialized works.

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B-General Building vs. B-2 Residential Remodeling

How to Obtain a General Building Contractors License?

Getting a B-General Building License is a multistep process, you should treat with attention to become a registered general contractor and benefit from the ability to bid on larger, high-paying projects and access to government and commercial contracts.

1. Determine eligibility requirements

Before you apply for a general building contractors license, you must ensure that you meet the basic eligibility criteria.

• You must have at least 4 years of journeyman-level, foreman, supervisor, or contractor-level experience in general construction within the last 10 years. You can gain this experience through employment or self-employment. Besides, a college degree can be substituted for up to three years of that experience.
• You must be at least 18 years old. A valid government-issued ID is required for identification and background checks. However, given the experience requirements, it's recommended that you should be at least 23 years old to apply successfully.
• You must provide a Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

2. Submit an application

You must submit an application to the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB).

• Complete an application form, ensure all sections are accurately filled out, and double-check for errors.
• You might be required to provide documents verifying your work experience, so make sure you have them ready.
• Pay a state-specific application fee, which is $450 for California.
• Complete a live scan to check for any criminal history. California contractor state rules have this requirement on the list.

3. Pass required exams

Once your application is approved, you will be scheduled to take the general contractors license exam, which typically consists of a Trade exam and a Business & Law exam. Passing scores typically require at least 70%. That is where enrolling in our contractor licensing prep program will increase your chances of passing the exam on the first attempt by up to 98%.

4. Obtain a surety bond and insurance

Before receiving your license, you should also provide proof of financial security, including:

• A contractor's surety bond that protects California clients in case of contract violations or financial losses due to contractor misconduct.
• Obtain worker's compensation insurance if you have employees.

5. Receive your license for general contractor

When exams are passed, and bonding is proven, you'll be finally issued a General Contractor License in California. After paying a licensing fee of $200 for a sole owner and $350 for a non-sole owner, you’ll get your official license number and certificate.