C-9 drywall licenses in California: who is insured today
CSLB lists 3,016 active C-9 licenses (CSLB license file, September 2026). 59% show a workers' comp policy on file, and 38% (1,142) have filed a workers' comp exemption, which means no employees. 42% are sole owners. The most licenses are in Los Angeles (491), San Diego (343), Riverside (248).
If your license is one of the exempt ones, the rule changes on January 1, 2028: SB 216, as delayed by SB 1455, requires every active California contractor license to carry workers' comp, except joint ventures with no employees. A one-person shop will need a policy to keep the license active, even with no employees. Ask us early so the policy is in place before CSLB checks it.
| CSLB workers' comp status | Licenses | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Workers' comp policy on file | 1,793 | 59% |
| Exempt (no employees) | 1,142 | 38% |
| Other (leasing firm, self-insured, out of state, no current W/C) | 81 | 3% |
Note: Source: CSLB master license file, September 2026, licenses with CLEAR status. A license can hold more than one classification.
What CSLB requires
- Every active license needs the $25,000 CSLB contractor license bond. LLC licenses also need a $100,000 employee/worker bond and $1M-$5M of liability insurance.
- Workers' comp: required as soon as you have an employee, and for every active license from January 1, 2028 (SB 216, as delayed by SB 1455), except joint ventures with no employees.
- General liability is not required by CSLB (except for LLCs), but most general contractors, HOAs and property managers will not let you start without it.
Workers' comp class codes for drywall (WCIRB, effective 9/1/2026)
| Code | Description | Wage threshold | Rate per $100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5446 | Wallboard installation, hourly wage under threshold | Under $45/hr | $6.233 |
| 5447 | Wallboard installation, hourly wage at or above threshold | $45/hr or more | $3.249 |
Note: Advisory pure premium rates per $100 of payroll effective 9/1/2026, before each carrier's own rating. The lower code applies when the employee's regular hourly wage is under the threshold, the higher-wage code at or above it. Your actual premium depends on the carrier, payroll, class and experience.
What underwriters look at for drywall
- New construction vs. remodel: many markets write remodel and repair more easily than ground-up residential work
- Condo, townhome and multi-family work: several markets restrict or exclude it, so say up front if you do it
- Taping and finishing dust, and water-intrusion or mold claims that start behind a wall you closed up
- Ladders, stilts and lifts: falls are a leading cause of workers' comp claims in finishing trades
- Whether you hire employees or use 1099 subcontractors, and whether those subs carry their own insurance
- Years in business and 3-5 years of loss history
Why a drywall workers' comp quote can be hard to get
Not every workers' comp market writes wallboard. Some carriers have no drywall class code at all, and others decline thin payroll or short time in business on the spot. We check which markets accept class 5446/5447 for your payroll and years in business before we submit anything, so you do not collect declines.
Coverage we quote for this trade
- General liability (written through several admitted and surplus-lines markets)
- Workers' compensation (we check which markets take your class code and payroll)
- Commercial auto and hired/non-owned auto
- CSLB license bond and contract bonds
- Tools and equipment (inland marine)
- Umbrella/excess liability
What to have ready for a quote
- Annual revenue and payroll (employees vs. subcontractors)
- Residential, commercial and condo/multi-family split
- Any new construction or tract work
- Vehicles and equipment values
- Current policy and 3-5 years of losses
Get a quote
Call (858) 925-9555 or request a review online — only your name, phone and email are required; we collect project details by phone. Asena Capital Insurance Services, CA License #6008596.
Frequently asked questions
What workers' comp code do drywall contractors use in California?
WCIRB class 5446 when the employee's regular hourly wage is under $45, and 5447 at $45 or more. The advisory pure premium rates effective 9/1/2026 are $6.233 and $3.249 per $100 of payroll.
Do drywall contractors need workers' comp in California?
Yes, as soon as you have an employee. From January 1, 2028, every active California contractor license must carry workers' comp, except joint ventures with no employees (SB 216, as delayed by SB 1455).
Is a C-9 drywall license required?
In California you need a C-9 Drywall license for drywall work on projects of $1,000 or more in labor and materials (the unlicensed-work limit rose from $500 to $1,000 in 2025).
Do I need general liability insurance as a drywall contractor?
CSLB does not require it except for LLCs, but most general contractors and property owners require proof of liability coverage and an additional insured endorsement before you start.