B General Building Contractor license in California

Updated November 1, 2026 · Official name from CSLB's classification list

107,757licenses hold B
95.6%Clear (CA addresses)
57.7%workers' comp exempt (all: 49.6%)
99.9%contractor's bond on file
15.3 yrsmedian time licensed
53.2%businesses, not sole owners

A B license covers buildings for people, animals or property, from a single-family house to an office. The defining rule is in Business and Professions Code §7057: a B contractor may take a prime contract that involves trades other than framing or carpentry only when the job needs at least two unrelated trades besides framing and carpentry. Otherwise the contractor must hold the specialty license or subcontract to a licensed specialist. Framing or carpentry alone is allowed.

So a B can run a kitchen remodel with plumbing, electrical and drywall, but not a lone water-heater swap. CSLB says B contractors can build ADUs (see our ADU license guide). The newer B-2 license is narrower: existing wood-frame homes only, three or more trades, no structural work.

Typical work under B

New homes, additions and ADUs
Kitchen and bathroom remodels that involve several trades
Framing and carpentry jobs on their own
Commercial tenant improvements

Work that needs a different license

A one-trade job such as a roof replacement only: C-39 Roofing, unless the B holds that class
Fire sprinkler work: C-16 Fire Protection, held by the B or a subcontractor
Drilling a water well: C-57 Well Drilling, held by the B or a subcontractor

Tips before hiring

Count the trades in your project. If it is really one trade, such as only electrical, hire that specialist or confirm the B holds the matching C class.
Ask for the license numbers of the subcontractors and look each one up before work starts.
For a home improvement contract, the down payment can't exceed $1,000 or 10% of the price, whichever is less, unless the license shows a blanket performance and payment bond.
If a salesperson signed you up, check their Home Improvement Salesperson registration.

Where B contractors are

The cities with the most B license holders in CSLB's current file:

General Contractors in Los Angeles: 3,589
General Contractors in San Diego: 2,791
General Contractors in San Francisco: 2,349
General Contractors in San Jose: 2,303
General Contractors in Sacramento: 1,646
General Contractors in Bakersfield: 1,006
General Contractors in Riverside: 966
General Contractors in Fresno: 936
General Contractors in Santa Rosa: 884
General Contractors in Oakland: 857

All general contractors lists

Cities with at least 20 B license holders, largest first:

How to verify a B license

Search the business or license number here and confirm B is listed on the profile.
Check the same number on CSLB's Instant License Check.
Read our full guide to checking a contractor license.

Related license types

Source: CSLB public data · Updated November 1, 2026 Status can change at any time. Verify on CSLB's Instant License Check.

More license types: ← A General Engineering Contractor · B-2 Residential Remodeling Contractor →