Get a California Electrical Contractor

To get a electrical contractor license (C‑10) in California, apply to CSLB, document four years’ journeyman‑level experience (last 10 years), pass the Law & Business and C‑10 trade exams, submit fingerprints, post a $25,000 bond, meet insurance/Workers’ Comp rules, and pay required fees—this is how to get a electrical contractor license in California.

Requirements last verified: 2026-10-29

Requirement	Details
Licensing agency & classification	Contractors State License Board (CSLB); classification C‑10 Electrical Contractor. CSLB C‑10 classification; Apply for a contractor license.
Minimum age	18 years old. CSLB – Before Applying.
Experience	At least 4 years of journeyman/foreperson/supervising employee or contractor experience in the C‑10 trade within the last 10 years; up to 3 years education/apprenticeship credit possible. Qualifying Experience; Law & Reference Book, § 824 (Experience); Certification of Work Experience form.
Exams	Two exams: California Law & Business and C‑10 Electrical trade. Official study guides provided by CSLB. Studying for the Examination; Examination Study Guides (C‑10).
Application fee	$450 (original application; exam or waiver). CSLB Fee Schedule.
Initial license fee	$200 (sole owner) or $350 (non‑sole owner). Paid after passing exams, with bond/insurance proofs. CSLB Fee Schedule; Public Info FAQ (initial license fee covers first 2 years).
Fingerprinting	Live Scan required after application is posted. DOJ $32 + FBI $17; rolling fees vary by site. Application instructions; Fingerprint Q&A; Fees (DOJ/FBI).
Bonds	Contractor’s Bond: $25,000 (all licenses). Bond of Qualifying Individual: $25,000 if required. LLC Employee/Worker Bond: $100,000 (LLCs). Bond Requirements; Law & Reference Book (§§ 7071.6, 7071.6.5).
Insurance	Workers’ Compensation required if you have employees; file exemption if none (most classifications, including C‑10). LLCs must also carry $1,000,000–$5,000,000 liability insurance (based on personnel count). Workers’ Compensation; LLC liability insurance requirement.
Renewal	Every 2 years. Active timely renewal fees: Sole owner $450 (C‑10 total $470), Non‑sole owner $700 (C‑10 total $720). General Renewal Info; Fee Schedule.
Exam window	Up to 18 months after application approval to pass required exam(s). Application instructions.

How to get a electrical contractor license in California (C‑10)

1. Confirm you qualify. Ensure you’re 18+, can document 4 years of C‑10 trade experience within the last 10 years, and understand what counts as verifiable experience. CSLB – Before Applying; Qualifying Experience.
2. Submit the Application for Original Contractor License. File online or by mail, include the Certification of Work Experience, and pay the $450 application fee. Apply; Work Experience form; Fees.
3. Complete fingerprinting (Live Scan). After CSLB posts your application, follow their fingerprint packet; budget DOJ/FBI fees and local rolling fees. Fingerprint Q&A; Fees.
4. Pass both exams. Schedule and pass the Law & Business exam and the C‑10 trade exam using CSLB’s study guides. Exam overview; C‑10 Study Guide.
5. Arrange your bond(s) and insurance. Obtain the $25,000 Contractor’s Bond (and, if applicable, a $25,000 Bond of Qualifying Individual). If you form an LLC, also secure the $100,000 LLC/Worker bond and required liability insurance. Bond Requirements; LLC insurance.
6. Address Workers’ Compensation. Provide a workers’ comp policy if you have employees, or file an exemption if you do not. Workers’ Compensation rules.
7. Pay the Initial License Fee. After passing, CSLB sends instructions to submit the initial license fee: $200 (sole owner) or $350 (non‑sole owner). Fee Schedule; FAQ.
8. Receive your license number and pocket card. CSLB issues your C‑10 once all holds are cleared (exams, fingerprints, bond(s), WC status, and fees). Issuing My License.
9. Keep records and compliance current. Track expiration dates for bonds, insurance, and your 2‑year renewal. Renewal information.
10. Plan for renewals and costs. Active renewals are every 2 years (C‑10 surcharge applies). Renewal fees.

California C‑10 electrical contractor license requirements, costs, and timing

Expect three main cost buckets: state fees, bonding/insurance, and exam preparation. We detail typical out‑of‑pocket ranges in our companion guide to California electrical contractor license costs, and compare costs across trades in our broader California trades contractor license guide. Official fee amounts and structures come directly from CSLB’s fee schedule.

Exam details for the California C‑10

CSLB requires two exams for the C‑10: the statewide Law & Business exam and the C‑10 Electrical trade exam. Use the free C‑10 study guide and the exam overview to see content areas, weights, and recommended references. Once your application is posted, you have up to 18 months to achieve passing scores. CSLB application instructions.

Experience documentation that CSLB accepts

CSLB will only count experience gained at journeyperson level or higher (foreperson/supervisor/contractor), within the 10 years before applying. Up to three years of approved education/apprenticeship can count toward the four‑year requirement. Provide third‑party verification using CSLB’s Certification of Work Experience. See criteria and examples in Qualifying Experience and in the Law & Reference Book.

Bonds, insurance, and Workers’ Compensation for C‑10s

Every active California contractor must have a $25,000 Contractor’s Bond. Some licenses also require a $25,000 Bond of Qualifying Individual. LLCs must add a $100,000 LLC/worker bond and carry $1–$5 million in liability insurance, depending on personnel count. If you have employees, Workers’ Compensation is mandatory; otherwise, file an exemption (most classifications). Sources: CSLB bond requirements; LLC insurance rule; Workers’ Compensation; Law & Reference Book.

Renewing a California electrical contractor license

Active C‑10 licenses renew every two years. CSLB lists timely renewal fees of $450 (sole owner) and $700 (non‑sole owner), with a $20 C‑10 enforcement surcharge applied at renewal ($470/$720 total). Review steps and timelines at General Renewal Information and confirm amounts on the Fee Schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need state electrician certification to hold a C‑10?

No. CSLB licenses businesses for contracting (C‑10). Separate electrician certification is required for employees performing electrical work for a C‑10 contractor, but the C‑10 qualifying individual need not be certified. See California DIR’s guidance at DLSE Electrician Certification FAQ.

How long does it take to get a C‑10 license?

Timelines vary by application review, exam scheduling, and background checks. After CSLB posts your application, you have up to 18 months to pass required exams; issuance follows once bond(s), Workers’ Comp status, fingerprints, and the initial license fee are on file. Application instructions; Issuing My License.

What if I don’t have four full years of experience?

CSLB can grant up to three years of credit for relevant education or apprenticeship toward the four‑year requirement. Remaining experience must be verifiable journeyperson‑level (or higher) within the past 10 years, documented on CSLB’s form. Qualifying Experience; Work Experience form.

How much does bonding and insurance cost?

The required bond amounts are fixed by law (e.g., $25,000 contractor bond), but your premium varies by credit and underwriting. Workers’ Comp is required if you have employees. For a practical breakdown of total expenses, see our guide to California electrical contractor license costs. Official bond rules: CSLB.

Are liability insurance and Workers’ Comp both required?

Workers’ Comp is required if you have employees (or file an exemption if none, for most classifications). General liability insurance is not universally mandated, except for LLCs, which must carry $1–$5 million aggregate. Workers’ Comp; LLC insurance requirement.

What are the exact renewal fees for C‑10?

Active, on‑time renewals: $450 (sole owner) and $700 (non‑sole owner) plus a $20 C‑10 enforcement surcharge—total $470 or $720. Renew every two years. Source: CSLB Fee Schedule; General Renewal Information.

Ready to move from research to action? License Navigator can help you plan, budget, and track every CSLB step—experience proof, exams, bonding, insurance, and renewals—so you get licensed once and keep it for life.