California Contractor Insurance
Asena Capital Insurance Services — California-licensed insurance brokerage serving contractors statewide. Phone: (858) 925-9555. Email: info@asenainsurance.com.
Every California contractor license is issued in one or more classifications. The classification decides what work you can contract for: an A general engineering contractor works on fixed works such as roads and pipelines, a B general building contractor takes projects needing at least two unrelated trades, a B-2 residential remodeling contractor handles remodels of existing wood-frame homes involving three or more unrelated trades, and each C specialty license covers one trade.
A specialty contractor may also do work in other trades when that work is incidental and supplemental to its licensed work — meaning it is essential to finishing the licensed job (Business and Professions Code 7059; 16 CCR 831).
These are the classifications CSLB issues today (source: CSLB Licensing Classifications and 16 CCR 832). Linked classes have their own page with scope, license counts and insurance requirements.
C-61 Limited Specialty is issued with a D subcategory (for example D-28 Doors, Gates and Activating Devices, or D-64 Non-specialized) that limits the work to that specialty. Since 2024, tree work has its own class, C-49 Tree and Palm; CSLB stopped accepting new C-61/D-49 Tree Service applications after December 31, 2023, and existing D-49 holders keep their classification.
Codes such as C-25, C-37, C-40, C-41, C-48, C-56, C-58, C-59, C-62, C-63, C-65, C-71 through C-75, C-85, C-87 and C-89 are not current CSLB classifications. A few numbers existed decades ago and were repealed (for example C-56 Waterproofing in 1947 and C-26 Lathing in 1998). If a document lists one of these, check the license on CSLB's Instant License Check.
An existing licensee can add a classification by applying to CSLB (current fee: $230). A trade exam is required unless a waiver applies — for example, if you passed that exam or qualified a license in that class within the last five years, or you meet CSLB's closely-related-class waiver rules (Business and Professions Code 7065 and 7065.3).
This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules change — confirm current requirements with CSLB (cslb.ca.gov) before you act.
CSLB currently issues A, B, B-2 and 43 C specialty classifications, with C-61 Limited Specialty divided into D subcategories.
No. Those numbers are not current CSLB classifications. Verify any license number on CSLB's Instant License Check.
C-8 Concrete, C-20 HVAC, C-22 Asbestos Abatement, C-39 Roofing and C-61/D-49 Tree Service.