California requires different surety bonds depending on license structure and status. The standard $25,000 contractor license bond applies to active licensees, while LLC contractors must also carry a separate $100,000 Employee/Worker Bond. Review each bond type and the underwriting factors that affect premium.
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Coverage availability, pricing, limits, effective dates, and binding are subject to complete information, policy terms, carrier eligibility, and underwriting. This page is general information, not a coverage promise or legal advice.
California Business & Professions Code requirements for contractor surety bonds
The foundational CSLB bond required for every licensed contractor in California. Protects consumers if a contractor fails to complete work, abandons a project, or violates the terms of a contract. Increased from $15,000 to $25,000 effective January 1, 2023.
Mandatory for all contractors licensed as a Limited Liability Company (LLC). The $100,000 bond provides additional protection for employees and workers of the LLC. This is separate from and in addition to the standard $25,000 contractor license bond. LLCs must maintain both bonds simultaneously.
Required in addition to other applicable bonds when a contractor seeks reinstatement or reissuance after a license revocation. CSLB determines the amount based on the violations; current law sets a minimum of $25,000 and a maximum of ten times the contractor bond amount. The required filing period is determined by CSLB and is at least two years.
May be required for an RME or for an RMO who does not own at least 10 percent of the corporation's voting stock. Exemptions and filing requirements depend on the qualifier, ownership, entity, and CSLB acceptance.
Required for individuals registered as Home Improvement Salespersons (HIS) with the CSLB. Protects homeowners from fraudulent or incomplete home improvement contracts. The salesperson must be registered and bonded separately from the contractor they work for.
Required for schools and educational institutions that hold a CSLB contractor license. Protects students and consumers who enroll in contractor training programs. Ensures the school fulfills its educational obligations and contractual commitments.
If your active CSLB license is held by an LLC, you are required to maintain both the standard $25,000 Contractor License Bond and the $100,000 LLC Employee/Worker Bond. The $100,000 bond is not a replacement — it is an additional requirement under B&P Code §7071.6.5.
The statutory bond amount is not the annual premium. A surety reviews the required bond, license and bond history, entity and qualifier information, financial or credit factors, and underwriting requirements before quoting.
Standard, LLC, QI, disciplinary, HIS, and other filings have different statutory amounts and triggers.
Prior claims, cancellations, revocations, reinstatement needs, and filing history can affect review.
Corporation, LLC, sole owner, RME, RMO, and ownership details determine the applicable filing path.
Credit or financial review, documentation, indemnity, surety guidelines, and complete application details affect premium.
Start with the active license record, business entity, qualifier, and any CSLB notice or filing instruction. The standard license bond, LLC employee/worker bond, qualifier bond, home-improvement-salesperson bond, and disciplinary bond have different triggers and documentation paths.
Verify current requirements with CSLB before submitting an application. The statutory bond amount does not by itself establish approval or premium; those depend on the bond type, application, financial or credit information, indemnity, history, and underwriting.
Direct answers
Search answers about CSLB bond amounts, LLC and qualifier obligations, disciplinary filings, and the difference between a surety bond and insurance.
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The standard California contractor license bond is $25,000 (increased from $15,000 in January 2023). LLC licensees must also carry a separate $100,000 LLC Employee/Worker Bond. Both are required simultaneously for LLC contractors.
The LLC Employee/Worker Bond is a $100,000 surety bond required under B&P Code §7071.6.5 for active LLC contractor licenses. It protects employees or workers from specified unpaid wage and benefit obligations and is separate from the standard $25,000 contractor license bond. Applicable LLC contractors maintain both bonds.
The surety company determines premium after reviewing credit, business history, bond type, and underwriting factors. Contact Asena Capital Insurance Services for a current quote subject to underwriting.
A Disciplinary Bond is required in addition to other applicable bonds when a contractor seeks reinstatement or reissuance after license revocation. CSLB determines the amount based on the violations; current law sets a minimum of $25,000 and a maximum of ten times the contractor bond amount. CSLB requires the bond to remain current for at least two years and may require a longer period.
The Bond of Qualifying Individual is $25,000. It may be required for an RME or for an RMO who does not own at least 10 percent of the corporation's voting stock. Exemptions and filing requirements depend on the qualifier and CSLB acceptance.
No. The contractor license bond protects consumers and the state from specified contractor violations. General liability insurance addresses covered third-party injury and property-damage claims. General liability is commonly required by project contracts and is mandatory for CSLB LLC licensees under B&P Code §7071.19.
Standard bond, LLC bond, or disciplinary bond • (858) 925-9555
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Beyond the bond, coverage considerations may depend on employees, entity type, license classification, vehicles, and project contracts. Review the current requirements and eligibility paths for your situation.
Verify current contractor bond amounts, filing rules, qualifier requirements, and LLC obligations directly with the Contractors State License Board.
Use the existing guides and request forms to review renewal, entity, insurance, and workers' compensation questions alongside the required bond filing.
