General B Contractors License | Contractorsischool

General Building Contractors License

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B - General Building
Description

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

Scope of Work

A general B contractor license authorizes professionals to handle construction, remodeling, and repair projects that embrace two or more unrelated trades or crafts, such as electrical, plumbing, and carpentry, for example.

A general building contractor serves as a coordinator and supervisor, managing every stage of the project from start to finish, including planning, scheduling, and hiring subcontractors for all major works. They ensure that all project elements come together smoothly and efficiently, ensuring everything is done in full compliance with California’s building standards and regulations.

Types of Projects You Can Legally Perform

As an owner of a general contractor license in California, you can handle the following projects:

Residential construction and remodeling, including private family homes, duplexes, and apartment buildings.
Commercial building projects covering offices, retail spaces, restaurants, and even small industrial areas.
Renovations and additions, such as kitchen or bathroom remodels, room expansions, and garage or basement conversions.
Full-scale multi-trade project coordination combining structural framing, roofing, cabinetry, drywall, flooring, and other trades in a single project.

However, general building contractors cannot handle a specialty trade alone unless it’s a part of a broader project. As such, this license is excellent for professionals who want to take on complete building projects rather than specialize in a single trade.

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Business & Professions Code

Division 3, Chapter 9. Contractors, Article 4. Classifications

7057. (a) Except as provided in this section, a general building contractor is a contractor whose principal contracting business is in connection with any structure built, being built, or to be built, for the support, shelter, and enclosure of persons, animals, chattels, or movable property of any kind, requiring in its construction the use of at least two unrelated building trades or crafts, or to do or superintend the whole or any part thereof.

This does not include anyone who merely furnishes materials or supplies under Section 7045 without fabricating them into, or consuming them in the performance of the work of the general building contractor.

(b) A general building contractor may take a prime contract or a subcontract for a framing or carpentry project. However, a general building contractor shall not take a prime contract for any project involving trades other than framing or carpentry unless the prime contract requires at least two unrelated building trades or crafts other than framing or carpentry, or unless the general building contractor holds the appropriate license classification or subcontracts with an appropriately licensed specialty contractor to perform the work. A general building contractor shall not take a subcontract involving trades other than framing or carpentry, unless the subcontract requires at least two unrelated trades or crafts other than framing or carpentry, or unless the general building contractor holds the appropriate license classification. The general building contractor may not count framing or carpentry in calculating the two unrelated trades necessary in order for the general building contractor to be able to take a prime contract or subcontract for a project involving other trades.

(c) No general building contractor shall contract for any project that includes the "C-16" Fire Protection classification as provided for in Section 7026.12 or the "C-57" Well Drilling classification as provided for in Section 13750.5 of the Water Code, unless the general building contractor holds the specialty license, or subcontracts with the appropriately licensed specialty contractor.

(Amended by Stats. 1997, Chapter 812 (SB 857).)

General B License vs. Other Contractor Licenses

Difference Between General B License and Other Contractor Licenses:

License Type	Scope of Work	Trades Covered	Typical Projects	Limitations
General Engineering Contractor (Class A)	Engineering and infrastructure projects that require specialized knowledge in civil engineering and the construction of fixed works.	Earthwork, paving, grading, utilities, bridges, water systems, and transportation structures.	Highways, dams, airports, power plants, water treatment facilities, tunnels, and pipelines.	General building construction, unless it’s part of an engineering project.
General Building Contractor (Class B)	Construction, remodel, or repair projects involving framing or two unrelated trades.	Multiple trades such as framing, carpentry, roofing, plumbing, and electrical.	Residential or commercial buildings, full remodels, new homes, offices, additions.	A single-trade project (like plumbing alone), unless part of a multi-trade job or framing by itself.
Residential Remodeling Contractor (Class B-2)	Residential remodeling and home improvement projects entailing three or more unrelated trades.	Multiple trades such as drywall, tiling, flooring, cabinetry, insulation, plastering, and painting.	Single room remodels, interior upgrades, and non-structural renovations.	New structures, framing, or load-bearing work.
Specialty Contractor (Class C1-61)	One specific trade or craft.	One specialty trade per license classification (plumbing, welding, electrical, flooring, etc.)	Re-roofing, installing HVAC systems, or electrical wiring.	Multi-trade projects, unless they hold multiple C-class licenses or subcontract.

Requirements for a
Class B Contractor License
in California

A general B license in California is required for any relevant project with a total cost exceeding $1,000 in labor and materials or work that requires a permit. The license can be issued to a sole ownership, partnership, corporation, or limited liability company. A business should designate a qualifying individual to apply. It may be an owner or a responsible managing employee who meets the general contractor license requirements.

Individual eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old. A valid government-issued ID is required for identification and background checks. However, given the work experience requirements you’ll find below, an applicant should be at least 23 years old to apply successfully.

Education Requirements

Unlike many professional fields, the CSLB does not require formal education to apply for a California general contractors license. However, a college degree can supplement up to three years of the required work experience (depending on the degree), while an approved apprenticeship program can count for up to two years.

Work Experience Requirements

You must have at least 4 years of journeyman-level, foreman-level, supervisor-level, or contractor-level experience in general construction within the last 10 years. You can gain this experience through employment or self-employment.

Document Requirements

When applying for a general contractor license, you will typically need to provide:

Social Security Number (SSN) or an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN).
Education certificates (official sealed transcripts as proof of education).
A Certification of Work Experience.

Process of Obtaining a
General Building Contractor
License

Watch information on how to get a general building contractors license

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Licensing is a multistep process.

1. Complete the application

Your path to getting a general contractors license in California starts with applying to the CSLB.

Fill in an application form, ensure all sections are accurately completed, and double-check for errors.
Provide documents verifying your work experience if required by CSLB. So, make sure you have them.
Pay a state-specific application fee, which is $450 for California.

2. Submit fingerprinting

All applicants should complete a Live Scan fingerprinting process for a background check. It’s an obligatory CSLB requirement to ensure that every license holder meets California’s standards for professional and legal responsibility.

3. Pass the exams

Once your application is approved, you will be scheduled to take the general contractors license exam, which consists of a trade exam and a law & business exam. Each exam will take 3.5 hours and contains 115 multiple-choice questions divided into several sections, with passing scores of at least 70%. After that, you should also complete an asbestos open-book examination through the CSLB website.

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 ($25,000) that protects California clients in case of contract violations or financial losses due to contractor misconduct.
Workers’ compensation insurance if you have employees.
General liability insurance for added business protection (optional, yet highly recommended).

5. Receive your license for a general contractor

Exams passed and bonding proven, you’ll finally be 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.

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How
Contractors Intelligence School
Helps You Get Licensed

Our school offers a comprehensive California general contractor license course designed to help contractors meet state requirements, gain essential industry knowledge, and successfully obtain their licenses.

Licensing application assistance

We provide step-by-step guidance on filling out and submitting a contractor application to avoid mistakes, minimize delays, and reduce rejection risks.

Preparation materials and classes

You’ll get access to comprehensive, well-structured, and illustrated materials covering all related topics for trade and law exams, including study guides, textbooks, DVDs, online lectures, and live instruction classes, depending on the study option you choose.

Practice exams

To familiarize yourself with a state testing system, real exam structure, and question formats, you’ll get access to mock tests available online or via our mobile app. They simulate real exam conditions to help you test the waters before state exams.

Why Choose Contractors Intelligence School
for Your License Preparation.

Successful exam completion largely depends on proper preparation. Given strict application requirements and quite high passing scores, preparing for your general B contractor license in California might feel overwhelming, unless you have a solid helping hand like Contractors Intelligence School to rely on.

High pass rate

We’ve helped multiple students successfully prepare for their licensing exams, with 98% of them passing the examination on the first attempt.

Money-back guarantee

We are confident in the quality of our course and its effectiveness and offer a pass exam money-back guarantee, ensuring you either pass the exam or get your money back.

Flexible learning options

With online learning, home studies, and in-class preparation on the list, we give you the freedom to choose what works best for your lifestyle, without compromising results.

Expert study programs

All our programs are developed by professionals who know both the exam structure and real-world construction. All materials reflect current CSLB laws, codes, and business regulations.

Complex approach

Our study materials are structured to help you master each concept step by step and know exactly how to tackle each exam section.

Practical knowledge

While passing the exam is the main goal, you’ll also gain practical insights that will help you succeed long after you gain your license.

FAQ

How to become a general contractor in California?

To become a registered general contractor in California, you should get a Class B general contractor license by passing specialized exams and securing the necessary documentation.

How long does it take to prepare for the general contractor license exams at your school in California?

On average, it will take you 2 to 3 months to get fully prepared for the exams and get your license for a general contractor with our school.

How much does it cost to become a general contractor in California?

The average cost of getting a California general contractor license is about $850. It embraces the fees payable directly to the state or CSLB. You will also have to take care of a contractor’s bond that will cost about $250 annually, and you might want to take a special license exam prep course that can add up to $600 to your licensing budget.

Do I need to renew the license every year?

You will have to renew your general contractor license every two years. To keep it active, you will also need to maintain your bond and insurance current.

Can I upgrade from another license to a General B?

Yes, you can upgrade to a general B license from a specialty license if you meet the qualification and experience requirements set by CSLB. If you are applying for your second license and have already passed the Law and Business exam, you will only be required to take the Trade exam.