B-2 Residential Remodeling Contractor license in California

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

• 1,755licenses hold B-2
• 95.1%Clear (CA addresses)
• 73.4%workers' comp exempt (all: 49.6%)
• 100%contractor's bond on file
• 2.2 yrsmedian time licensed
• 56.5%businesses, not sole owners

The B-2 Residential Remodeling license, created by SB 1189 and effective January 1, 2021, is built for whole-room updates in an existing home. It applies only to existing residential wood-frame structures, and every contract must include three or more unrelated trades, such as drywall, flooring, painting, tile or finish carpentry.

What a B-2 can't do matters as much. It may not change load-bearing parts of the house: footings, foundations, bearing walls or roof structure. It can swap fixtures like faucets, lights and exhaust fans, but extending or replacing electrical, plumbing or mechanical systems needs the right license or a licensed sub. For structural work or new construction, look at a B General Building contractor.

Typical work under B-2

• Bathroom refreshes with tile, drywall, paint and new fixtures
• Kitchen updates with cabinets, flooring and countertops
• Replacing switches, outlets, light fixtures and ceiling fans as part of a remodel
• Swapping sinks, toilets, faucets and tubs
• Roof repair, siding, insulation and plastering in a multi-trade job

Work that needs a different license

• Removing a load-bearing wall or adding a room: B General Building
• A new circuit or panel upgrade: C-10 Electrical
• Asbestos removal: C-22 Asbestos Abatement
• Fire sprinklers: C-16 Fire Protection

Tips before hiring

• List the trades in the bid. If there are fewer than three, the B-2 can't take that contract.
• Ask directly whether any wall being opened or moved is load-bearing. If it is, the job is outside B-2 scope.
• Moving a sink to another wall usually means rerouting pipes. Ask who will do that and check that person's C-36 license.
• Some remodelers hold B and others hold B-2, and the limits differ. Check which one the CSLB record shows.

Where B-2 contractors are

The cities with the most B-2 license holders in CSLB's current file:

1. Residential Remodeling Contractors in San Diego: 77
2. Residential Remodeling Contractors in Sacramento: 65
3. Residential Remodeling Contractors in Los Angeles: 57
4. Residential Remodeling Contractors in San Jose: 43
5. Residential Remodeling Contractors in Riverside: 25
6. Residential Remodeling Contractors in Fresno: 21
7. Chula Vista: 19
8. Escondido: 19
9. Oceanside: 19
10. San Francisco: 18

All residential remodeling contractors lists

Cities with at least 20 B-2 license holders, largest first:

• San Diego (77)
• Sacramento (65)
• Los Angeles (57)
• San Jose (43)
• Riverside (25)
• Fresno (21)

How to verify a B-2 license

1. Search the business or license number here and confirm B-2 is listed on the profile.
2. Check the same number on CSLB's Instant License Check.
3. Read our full guide to checking a contractor license.

Related license types

• B General Building Contractor
• C-10 Electrical Contractor
• C-36 Plumbing Contractor
• C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile Contractor
• C-15 Flooring and Floor Covering Contractors

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

More license types: ← B General Building Contractor · C-2 Insulation and Acoustical Contractor →