Can I use my California Contractor License In Other States?
Yes, depending on the state. Arizona, Utah, Louisiana and Nevada all have reciprocity agreements with California.
Contractor License reciprocity is an agreement between the Contractor licensing boards of two different states.
It can mean that they have similar building standards, allowing contractors to work freely between states.In the context of licensing, it means that a contractor who is licensed in one state, may not need to retake an exam to get licensed in another state.
This article will cover everything you need to know about California contractor license reciprocity
California Contractor License Law
Construction is regulated by state agencies.
Every state has different laws and levels of regulation for contractors.
In the state of California, construction contractors are regulated by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB)
The CSLB governs:
- Licensing
- Facilitating Examinations
- Contractor Licensing Administration
- Renewal Fees
- Bonding
- Enforcing contractor law
Contractors State License Board
CSLB Requirements
To get a California Contractor License you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have 4 years journeyman level experience
- Not currently be on probation or parole
- Have a valid driver’s license or USA ID
- Have a Social Security or ITIN #
- Pass a LAW and TRADE exam
There are 73 different classifications available in the state of California.
For more information on the California contractor license process, click here.
Which states have Reciprocity with California?
California does not accept contractor licenses from other states.
To perform services, you must be licensed in California. However, if you have a contractor license in Nevada, Utah or Arizona it is possible, you can get a California contractor license without taking a trade portion of the exam.
Those who hold a license in California can apply for reciprocity in Nevada, Utah, and Arizona as well.The CSLB has reciprocity agreements with the Contractor Licensing boards of Nevada, Arizona, and Utah because there are similarities is building standards, requirements, and scope of practice.
- The license you are applying for has to appear on the list of reciprocal classifications list
- Your license must be currently in good standing for the last 5 years
- You must submit a Request for Verification of License form to the agency that you are currently licensed under
If you meet all of the above requirements, there is a chance that the CSLB will wave your trade portion.
However, this is always up to the board, and ultimately whoever is reviewing your application.
I have seen many cases where somebody qualified for reciprocity but still had to take the test… so be prepared just in case.
California Contractor LAW
California has some of the strictest laws in terms of regulation in the construction industry.
- To get licensed and bonded in California, you must pass a two part examination.
- The exam consists of two parts LAW and TRADE.
If you are applying for any license under the C-61 Limited Specialty Classification, you will only take a LAW test.
Currently, the Contractors State License Board has testing locations in:
- Berkeley
- Fresno
- Norwalk
- Oxnard
- Sacramento
- San Bernardino
- San Diego
- San Jose
Contractor Reciprocity by State
The following classifications are part of California's reciprocity agreement.
Applicants can apply not to have to take a trade exam, but will still need to takeCalifornias Contractor law exam.Below on the left, you will find the name of the contractor license classification of the respective state, and on the right, you will see the title and description of the classification in California.
Phoenix Office:
(602)542-1525
Monday – Friday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
1700 W. Washington St. Suite 105
Tucson Office:
(520)628-6345
Monday – Friday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
400 W. Congress St. Suite. 212
Flagstaff Office:
(877)692-9762
Monday – Friday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
2501 N. 4th St #22
(appointment only)
Arizona Registrar of Contractors is the governing body for contractors in Arizona
| ArizonaClass Code and Description | CaliforniaClass Code and Description |
|---|
| A | General Engineering | A | General Engineering |
| A-9 | Swimming Pools | C-53 | Swimming Pool |
| A-11 | Steel and Aluminum Erection | C-51 | Structural Steel |
| A-12 | Sewers, Drains and Pipe Laying | C-42 | Sanitation Systems |
| A-17 | Electrical and Transmission Lines | A | General Engineering |
| A-19 | Swimming Pools, Including Solar | C-53 | Swimming Pool |
| A-21 | Landscaping and Irrigation Systems | C-27 | Landscaping |
| B | General Residential Contractor | B | General Building |
| B-1 | General Commercial Contractor | B | General Building |
| B-2 | General Small Commercial Contractor | B | General Building |
| B-3 | General Remodeling and Repair Contractor | B | General Building |
| B-5 | General Swimming Pool Contractor | C-53 | Swimming Pool |
| B-6 | General Swimming Pool Contractor, Including Solar | C-53 | Swimming Pool |
| C-4 | Boilers, Including Solar | C-4 | Boiler, Hot Water Heating and Steam Fitting |
| C-4R | Boilers | C-4 | Boiler, Hot Water Heating and Steam Fitting |
| C-7 | Carpentry | C-5 | Framing and Rough Carpentry |
| C-9 | Concrete | C-8 | Concrete |
| C-11 | Electrical | C-10 | Electrical |
| C-16 | Fire Protection Systems | C-16 | Fire Protection |
| C-17 | Structural Steel and Aluminum | C-51 | Structural Steel |
| C-18 | Elevators | C-11 | Elevators |
| C-31 | Masonry | C-29 | Masonry |
| C-37 | Plumbing, Including Solar | C-36 | Plumbing |
| C-37R | Sewers, Drains and Pipe Laying | C-34 | Pipeline |
| C-37R | Plumbing | C-36 | Plumbing |
| C-39 | Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar | C-20 | Warm-air Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning |
| C-39R | Air Conditioning and Refrigeration | C-20 | Warm-air Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning |
| C-42 | Roofing | C-39 | Roofing |
| C-61 | Limited Remodeling and Repair | B | General Building |
| C-68 | Mobile Home Remodeling and Repair | C-47 | General Manufactured Housing |
| K-4 | Boilers, Steamfitting and Process Piping | C-4 | Boiler, Hot Water Heating and Steam Fitting |
| K-7 | Carpentry | C-5 | Framing and Rough Carpentry |
| K-9 | Concrete | C-8 | Concrete |
| K-11 | Electrical | C-10 | Electrical |
| K-12 | Elevators | C-11 | Elevators |
| K-16 | Fire Protection Systems | C-16 | Fire Protection |
| K-17 | Steel and Aluminum Erection | C-51 | Structural Steel |
| K-21 | Landscaping and Irrigation Systems | C-27 | Landscaping |
| K-31 | Masonry | C-29 | Masonry |
| K-37 | Plumbing | C-36 | Plumbing |
| K-39 | Air Conditioning and Refrigeration | C-20 | Warm-air Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning |
| K-42 | Roofing | C-39 | Roofing |
| K-61 | Carpentry, Remodeling and Repairs | C-5 | Framing and Rough Carpentry |
| K-61 | Carpentry, Remodeling and Repairs | C-6 | Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry |
| K-62 | Reinforcing Bar and Wire Mesh | C-50 | Reinforcing Steel |
| K-74 | Boilers, Steamfitting and Process Piping, Including Solar | C-4 | Boiler, Hot Water Heating and Steam Fitting |
| K-77 | Plumbing, Including Solar | C-36 | Plumbing |
| K-79 | Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar | C-20 | Warm-air Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning |
| KA | Dual Engineering | A | General Engineering |
| KA-5 | Dual Swimming Pool Contractor | C-53 | Swimming Pool |
| KA-6 | Dual Swimming Pool Contractor, Including Solar | C-53 | Swimming Pool |
| KB-1 | Dual Building Contractor | B | General Building |
| KB-2 | Dual Residential and Small Commercial | B | General Building |
| L-4 | Boilers, Steamfitting and Process Piping | C-4 | Boiler, Hot Water Heating and Steam Fitting |
| L-7 | Carpentry | C-5 | Framing and Rough Carpentry |
| L-9 | Concrete | C-8 | Concrete |
| L-11 | Electrical | C-10 | Electrical |
| L-12 | Elevators | C-11 | Elevators |
| L-16 | Fire Protection Systems | C-16 | Fire Protection |
| L-31 | Masonry | C-29 | Masonry |
| L-37 | Plumbing | C-36 | Plumbing |
| L-39 | Air Conditioning and Refrigeration | C-20 | Warm-air Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning |
| L-42 | Roofing | C-39 | Roofing |
| L-49 | Commerical, Industrial Refrigeration | C-38 | Refrigeration |
| L-61 | Carpentry, Remodeling and Repairs | BC-5 | General Building, orFraming and Rough Carpentry |
| L-62 | Reinforcing Bar and Wire Mesh | C-50 | Reinforcing Steel |
| L-74 | Boilers, Steamfitting and Process Piping, Including Solar | C-4 | Boiler, Hot Water Heating and Steam Fitting |
| L-77 | Plumbing, Including Solar | C-36 | Plumbing |
| L-79 | Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar | C-20 | Warm-air Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning |
Las Vegas / Henderson
Monday – Friday 8:00am-5:00pm
(702) 486-1100
2310 Corporate Circle Suite 200
Reno
Monday – Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm
(775) 688-1141
5390 Kietzke Lane Suite 102
Nevada State Contractors Board
| NevadaClass Code and Description | CaliforniaClass Code and Description | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| A | General Engineering | A | General Engineering |
| B | General Building | B | General Building |
| C-1a | Boilers | C-4 | Boiler, Hot Water Heating and Steam Fitting (Added 5/2003) |
| C-3 | Carpentry, Maintenance & Minor Repairs (excluding C-3c Cabinets and Millwork) | C-5 | Framing and Rough Carpentry (Added 5/2003) |
| C-3a | Carpentry, Remodeling and Repairs | C-5 | Framing and Rough Carpentry (Added 5/2003) |
| C-3b | Finish Carpentry (Revised 07/23/2008; formerly C-3c Cabinets and Millwork) | C-6 | Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry (Added 5/2003) |
| C-2d | Low Voltage (Revised 08/19/2008; formerly C-2e Signal Systems) | C-7 | Low Voltage Systems (Added 5/2003) |
| C-5 | Concrete | C-8 | Concrete |
| C-7 | Elevation & Conveyance | C-11 | Elevator (Added 5/2003) |
| A-16 | Paving of Street, Driveways and Parking Lots | C-12 | Earthwork and Paving (Added 5/2003) |
| C-41 | Fire Protection | C-16 | Fire Protection (Added 5/2003) |
| C-1fC-21 | Heating Cooling & Circulating AirRefrigeration & Air Conditioning | C-20 | Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating & Air Conditioning |
| C-10 | Landscaping | C-27 | Landscaping |
| C-18 | Masonry | C-29 | Masonry |
| C-4 | Painting & Decorating | C-33 | Painting & Decorating |
| A-15A-19A-20 | Sewers, Drains & PipesPipeline and ConduitsIndustrial Piping | C-34 | Pipeline (Added 5/2003) |
| C-17 | Lathing and Plastering | C-35 | Lathing and Plastering (Added 5/2003) |
| C-21a | Refrigeration | C-38 | Refrigeration |
| C-15 | Roofing & Siding | C-39 | Roofing |
| A-15 | Sewers, Drains & Pipes | C-42 | Sanitation Systems |
| C-1eC-21e | Sheet MetalSolar Air Conditioning | C-43 | Sheet Metal |
| C-6C-6b | Erecting SignsElectrical Signs | C-45 | Electrical Sign |
| C-37 | Solar | C-46 | Solar |
| A-10 | Swimming Pools | C-53 | Swimming Pools |
| C-20 | Tiling | C-54 | Tile (Ceramic & Mosaic) |
| C-23 | Drilling Wells | C-57 | Well Drilling |
Utah Department of Commerce
Monday – Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm (801) 530-6628
Mailing Address: PO BOX 146741 Salt Lake City, UT 84111-6741
Physical Address: 160 East 300 South Salt Lake City, UT 84111
| UtahClass Code and Description | CaliforniaClass Code and Description | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| E100 | General Engineering Contractor | A | General Engineering |
| B100 | General Building Contractor | B | General Building |
| R100 | Residential and Small Commercial Contractor | B | General Building |
| S280 | General Roofing Contractor | C-39 | Roofing |
| S290 | General Masonry Contractor | C-29 | Masonry |
| S320 | Steel Erection Contractor | C-51 | Structural Steel |
| S350 | HVAC Contractor | C-20 | Warm-Air Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning |
| S360 | Refrigeration Contractor | C-38 | Refrigeration |
| S370 | Fire Suppression Systems Contractor | C-16 | Fire Protection |
Louisiana
Construction in the State of Louisiana are regulated by:
- Louisiana State Board for Contractors (LSLBC)
The Scope of work for contractors in Louisiana is separated into four categories:
- Commercial
- Residential
- Home Improvement
- Mold Remediation
To learn more about the licensing process in Louisiana you can check out this complete guide.
Conclusion
All out of state contractors looking to get a California contractor license will need to pass the law and business portion of the exam.
California has the strictest laws in the nation when it comes to job site safety, employee rights, workers compensation, insurance, bonding, and financial regulation.
If you are out of state and looking to get licensed in California, it is strongly recommended that you take some time to study California contractor law.
For a more in-depth look, check out this article.
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