California Electrical Contractor License

What the C-10 License Is

The C-10 Electrical Contractor license is a business license issued by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). It authorizes the holder to bid on electrical projects, enter contracts with property owners, hire employees, pull building permits, and advertise electrical services.

This is not the same as a DIR electrician certification, which only proves individual technical competency. To contract directly for electrical work, you need a C-10 license unless the narrow AB 2622 exception applies: unlicensed work where labor and materials total less than $1,000, no building permit is required, and no employees assist. Projects at $1,000 or more require a licensed contractor. Otherwise, the certified electrician must work under a contractor who holds the C-10 license.

Experience Requirements

The qualifying individual for a C-10 license must demonstrate at least four years of journey-level, supervisory, or contractor-level experience in the electrical trade within the preceding ten years. Experience as a trainee, helper, or laborer does not count.

The CSLB verifies experience through Form 13A-11 (Certification of Work Experience), which must be signed by a qualifying verifier — typically a current or former employer, a licensed contractor you worked under, or a union official who can attest to your work history.

The board subjects approximately 3% of experience claims to a random comprehensive audit, requiring payroll records, tax returns, or permit histories. Having a valid DIR General Electrician certification substantially strengthens your application because it serves as independent proof of journey-level standing.

The Two CSLB Exams

The qualifying individual must pass two separate exams within an 18-month window:

The Law & Business Exam covers California contracting law, employment regulations, project management, and business operations. Approximately 115 multiple-choice questions, 3.5 hours, closed-book.

The C-10 Electrical Trade Exam covers electrical theory, NEC code application, safety, and installation practices. Approximately 100 multiple-choice questions, 3.5 hours, closed-book.

Both exams require approximately 72% to pass. A passing score on either exam is valid for five years, so if you pass Law & Business but fail the trade exam, you can retake the trade exam without re-doing the other.

The CSLB's testing vendor is PSI. Once your application is accepted, you receive a Notice to Schedule an Examination and can book at any PSI testing center in California.

Bond and Insurance Requirements

After passing both exams, you must file two things before the CSLB will issue your license:

A $25,000 contractor license bond. This is a surety bond — not an insurance policy — that protects consumers against contractor fraud or failure to complete work. Annual premiums typically run $100 to $500 depending on your credit score. If anyone files a successful claim against the bond, the surety company pays out and you must reimburse them.

If the C-10 license is qualified by an RME (Responsible Managing Employee), or by an RMO (Responsible Managing Officer) who owns less than 10% of the corporation's voting stock, a separate $25,000 Bond of Qualifying Individual is required. LLC contractors must also maintain an additional $100,000 surety bond for employee protection and carry at least $1 million in general liability insurance.

Workers' compensation insurance. SB 216, which phased in starting January 2026, eliminated the old exemption that allowed sole proprietors with no employees to opt out of workers' comp. All C-10 contractors must now carry active workers' compensation coverage. Sole proprietors with zero employees satisfy this by filing a "ghost policy" — a minimum-premium, zero-payroll policy that costs roughly $750 to $1,500 per year. Fines for non-compliance are $10,000 for sole owners and $20,000 for other business structures.

Business Structure Options

The C-10 license can be issued to:

• Sole proprietors — simplest structure, lowest fees ($200 initial license fee)
• Partnerships — requires a $350 initial license fee
• Corporations — requires a $350 initial fee; a Bond of Qualifying Individual is also required when the qualifier is an RME or an RMO who owns less than 10% of the corporation's voting stock
• LLCs — requires a $350 initial fee, the additional $100,000 employee bond, and $1 million in general liability

Each structure requires a designated qualifying individual who has passed both CSLB exams and verified four years of experience.

Total Cost Breakdown

Budget roughly $1,500 to $3,000 to get your C-10 license active:

• Application fee: $450
• Initial license fee: $200 (sole) or $350 (other)
• Live Scan fingerprinting: $75–$100 (DOJ $32 + FBI $17 + rolling fees)
• Contractor bond premium: $100–$500/year
• Workers' comp ghost policy: $750–$1,500/year
• Exam prep materials (optional): varies

Biennial renewal runs $470 for sole owners and $720 for other structures, which includes a $20 supplemental enforcement fee specific to the C-10 classification.

What the C-10 License Lets You Do

With an active C-10, you can:

• Bid on and contract for electrical projects of any value
• Pull building permits from municipal departments (LADBS, SF DBI, San Diego DSD, and all other local jurisdictions)
• Hire electricians, trainees, and apprentices
• Advertise electrical services (your license number must appear in all advertising)
• Work on public works projects at prevailing wage rates

The California Electrician License Guide walks through the entire C-10 application process, including a startup cost calculator, bond filing checklist, and SB 216 compliance guide so you do not get caught by the workers' comp mandate at renewal time.

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