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In order to earn your general building contractor license in the state of California, you will need to pass two exams and supply certain documents to the state board.

Many professionals prefer to prepare for their state licensing exams online using a self-paced format. If this sounds like an option you want to take, you must make sure that you get your licensing exam prep materials from an online provider that has been approved by the state of California. 

General building contractors are professionals whose principal contracting business involves structures that are built, those that are being built, and those that will be built in the state. 

These structures can be for the shelter, support, or enclosure of people, chattel, animals, or any kind of movable property. The construction of structures that require the use of at least two unrelated building trades or crafts requires the oversight of a licensed contractor.

Requirements for Obtaining Your CA Building Contractor License

There are specific prequalifications you must fulfill in order to obtain your California General Building Contractor License:

• You must pass the written trade examination
• You must pass the business law examination
• You must meet specific insurance, bond, and other financial requirements
• You must have four years of work experience within the last decade

The bond and insurance requirements are a bit different for general contractors than for other professionals.

Insurance Requirements

You are required to carry LLC liability insurance (if applicable) and workers’ compensation insurance. 

The LLC liability insurance must be between $1 million and $5 million, depending on the number of employees of record who are listed on the license. For five or fewer personnel, the amount cannot be less than $1 million. 

With each additional employee after that, the requirement increases by $100,000. The total is capped at the $5 million mark.

Workers’ compensation insurance is required whenever a contractor has employees. It’s critical to keep in mind that the Certificate of Insurance must be issued in the exact business name that is shown on the application. 

Contractor’s Bonds

All contractors are required to have a $15,000 contractor’s bond that must be on file with the California State Licensing Board (CSLB). Furthermore, an additional qualifying individual’s bond of $12,500 must be filed for any contractors who are qualified by a responsible managing employee. 

Finally, all LLC licenses must have an additional worker/employee bond of $100,000 on file with CSLB. This bond requirement is for the benefit of workers who are contracted to work for the LLC.

Passing the General Contractor Exams

The two exams are both closed-book, and they cover a wide range of topics and subjects. 

The General Building Contractor Exam covers safety, finish trades, framing, structural components, core trades, planning, and estimating. You will have three hours and 30 minutes to complete it.

The Business Law Exam covers public works, licensing, bonds and insurance, business finance, organization, and more.

Make sure you’re prepared for your California building contractor exams! Sign up with RocketCert today and take advantage of our “no pass, no pay” policy.