Letter of admonishment — a warning that is not formal discipline; it shows on the license for one or two years.
Citation — can include an order of correction, an order to pay an injured party, and a civil penalty. From July 1, 2026, penalties generally run $500–$8,000, and up to $30,000 for certain serious violations.
Accusation — a formal case to suspend or revoke the license, prosecuted through the Attorney General and heard by an administrative law judge.
Probation — often part of a settlement, with conditions the licensee must meet.
Automatic suspensions — the ones insurance prevents
Several suspensions happen automatically, without a hearing, and most are coverage problems:
Workers' comp lapse — the license is suspended when the policy cancels (Business and Professions Code 7125.2).
Bond not maintained — suspension when the contractor bond is cancelled and not replaced.
LLC liability insurance — suspension if required coverage isn't reinstated.
Unpaid final judgment not reported and resolved within 90 days.
Secretary of State suspension of a corporation or LLC.
Not complying with a final citation — suspension, and automatic revocation if not cleared within 90 days.
Working on a suspended license is contracting without a license, so keeping the bond and workers' comp current is the simplest compliance step there is.
How long it stays public
CSLB's License Check shows citations for five years after compliance, suspensions and stayed revocations from accusations for seven years, and revocations that are not stayed indefinitely (Business and Professions Code 7124.6).
How to avoid the most common suspensions
Set renewal reminders for your workers' comp policy and license bond
Tell us immediately if you hire your first employee while on an exemption
Keep your corporation or LLC in good standing with the Secretary of State
Resolve judgments quickly and report them to CSLB within 90 days
Keep your certificates current with every GC you work for
After a revocation
A revoked licensee generally cannot be reissued a license for one to five years, the qualifier and other personnel can be barred from other licenses, and CSLB requires a disciplinary bond of $25,000 up to $250,000 kept on file for at least two years (Business and Professions Code 7071.8, 7102, 7121).
This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules change — confirm current requirements with CSLB (cslb.ca.gov) before you act.
Frequently asked questions
Will my license be suspended if my workers' comp cancels?
Yes. A lapse in required workers' comp coverage suspends the license automatically.
How long does a CSLB citation show on my license?
Five years after you comply with it.
What is a disciplinary bond?
A bond CSLB can require after discipline, from $25,000 up to ten times the contractor bond amount, kept on file for at least two years.