Do C-10 electricians need workers' comp?

If you have employees, yes — California Labor Code 3700 requires it. With no employees you can currently file an exemption, but beginning January 1, 2028 (SB 1455), CSLB will require workers' comp for all active licenses; only joint-venture licenses remain exempt.

What does a GC usually ask an electrician to show?

Most GCs ask for a certificate of insurance showing general liability, workers' comp and auto, often with additional insured and waiver-of-subrogation endorsements in their favor.

Is solar or EV charger work covered on a standard electrical policy?

Not always. Some carriers limit or price solar, battery and EV charger work separately, so tell us if it is part of your work.

California Contractor Insurance

Electrician Contractor Insurance California — C-10 Specialists

C-10 electrical contractor insurance in California: liability, workers' comp codes 5190/5140, bonds and what underwriters ask. CSLB license numbers.

Quick answer: California C-10 electrical contractors need the $25,000 CSLB license bond, workers' comp as soon as they hire (every active license from 2028), and liability insurance that general contractors and property owners ask for. Electrical wiring is rated under WCIRB class 5190 (hourly wage under $40) or 5140 ($40 or more), at $3.729 or $2.109 per $100 of payroll effective 9/1/2026. Fires that start after the job are a key liability exposure, so completed-operations coverage matters.

C-10 electrical licenses in California: who is insured today

CSLB lists 26,543 active C-10 licenses (CSLB license file, September 2026). 48% show a workers' comp policy on file, and 50% (13,388) have filed a workers' comp exemption, which means no employees. 46% are sole owners. The most licenses are in Los Angeles (6,314), Orange (2,327), San Diego (1,946).

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	12,757	48%
Exempt (no employees)	13,388	50%
Other (leasing firm, self-insured, out of state, no current W/C)	398	1%

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, builders and property managers require it.

Workers' comp class codes for electricians (WCIRB, effective 9/1/2026)

Code	Description	Wage threshold	Rate per $100
5190	Electrical wiring, hourly wage under threshold	Under $40/hr	$3.729
5140	Electrical wiring, hourly wage at or above threshold	$40/hr or more	$2.109

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 electricians

Residential service and remodel vs. new construction, tract and commercial work
Completed operations: fires and failures that happen months after the job
Solar tie-ins, EV chargers, generators and panel upgrades
High-voltage, industrial and low-voltage or data-cable work, which are rated and underwritten differently
Employees vs. 1099 helpers, apprentices and certificates for subs
Years in business and 3-5 years of loss history

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)
Service/repair, remodel, new construction and commercial split
Solar, EV charger or generator work
Vehicles and tool 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 electricians use in California?

WCIRB class 5190 when the hourly wage is under $40 and 5140 at $40 or more. The 9/1/2026 advisory pure premium rates are $3.729 and $2.109 per $100 of payroll.

Do electricians 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.

Do electrical contractors need general liability?

CSLB does not require it except for LLCs, but general contractors, builders and property owners almost always do and ask to be added as an additional insured.

What is the C-10 license?

C-10 is the CSLB Electrical classification. Low-voltage systems fall under C-7 and sign work under C-45.

Sources

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