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MMBONDING
For Homeowners

How to Verify a Contractor Is Licensed & Bonded

Before you hand a California contractor a deposit, you can confirm they are licensed and bonded in a few minutes at cslb.ca.gov. Here is exactly what to check, and what bonded does and does not mean for you.

Illustration for the guide: How to Verify a Contractor Is Licensed & Bonded

Check the CSLB license first

Every legitimate California contractor carries a license number from the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). Start there. Go to cslb.ca.gov, open the license lookup, and search by the contractor's license number, business name, or personal name.

Confirm two things on the record: the status reads Active (not expired, suspended, or inactive), and the classification matches your project. A license classified for general building (B) or a specific trade (the C classifications) tells you the contractor is authorized for that kind of work.

Confirm the bond is on file

California law requires every licensed contractor to carry a contractor license bond of $25,000. The CSLB record shows that bond, the surety company behind it, and the bond number, right alongside the license status.

If the record shows the bond is missing, cancelled, or expired, the license may be suspended. A contractor cannot legally operate without the bond on file, so treat a bonding gap as a reason to pause.

Bonded is not insured

"Licensed, bonded, and insured" is a familiar phrase, but the three words mean different things:

  • Licensedmeans the state has vetted the contractor's experience and issued a number you can verify.
  • Bonded means the $25,000 license bond is on file. It can compensate you for certain violations of contractor law, up to the bond amount. It is not a warranty on the work itself.
  • Insured means the contractor carries liability insurance for property damage and injuries. The license bond is not insurance, so ask for proof of coverage separately.

For the full difference, see bonding vs. insurance.

Red flags

  • No license number, or a refusal to give one before you sign.
  • A license that reads inactive, suspended, or expired on the CSLB record.
  • Pressure to skip a written contract, or a demand for a large cash deposit up front.
  • A bond or insurance the contractor will describe but not document.

When something looks off, check the license history and any disciplinary actions on the same CSLB record, or call the CSLB directly. If you have already been harmed, here is how to file a claim against the bond.

Questions

FAQs

Reviewed by Michael Melshenker, CEO. Updated June 2026.

Where do I look up a California contractor?
Use the CSLB license lookup at cslb.ca.gov. You can search by license number, business name, or the contractor's name. The record shows the license status, classification, bond, and any disciplinary history.
Does bonded mean I am covered if the work goes wrong?
Not the way insurance would be. The license bond can compensate you for specific violations of contractor law, up to $25,000, and it is shared among valid claims. It is not a general warranty on workmanship, so ask for proof of liability insurance too.
What if the contractor is not licensed?
Unlicensed contracting is illegal for most California jobs above a small dollar threshold, and an unlicensed contractor has no license bond behind the work. Verify the license before you hire, and report unlicensed activity to the CSLB.
Is the CSLB the official source?
Yes. The CSLB is the California state agency that licenses and regulates contractors. Its website, cslb.ca.gov, is the official place to verify a license, confirm the bond, and file a complaint.