C-6 Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry Contractor license in California
Updated November 1, 2026 · Official name from CSLB's classification list
- 4,450licenses hold C-6
- 94.9%Clear (CA addresses)
- 53.2%workers' comp exempt (all: 49.6%)
- 100%contractor's bond on file
- 16.6 yrsmedian time licensed
- 47.5%businesses, not sole owners
Finish carpentry is the woodwork you see and touch. A C-6 contractor builds cabinets, cases, sashes, doors, trim and nonbearing partitions by cutting, joining and gluing wood or other materials, then sets and finishes them in the building.
That makes C-6 the right license for custom kitchen cabinets, a built-in bookcase, crown molding or replacement interior doors. Before 2003 this work was part of a combined C-5 class, which is why some older licenses still show both.
Typical work under C-6
- Custom and semi-custom kitchen and bath cabinets
- Built-in shelving, bookcases and window seats
- Crown molding, baseboards and door casing
- Interior doors and door frames
- Nonbearing wood partitions
Work that needs a different license
- Stone or quartz countertops set in a bathroom or kitchen: C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile
- Moving the sink or adding circuits during a cabinet job: C-36 Plumbing and C-10 Electrical
- Structural framing behind the cabinets: C-5 Framing
Tips before hiring
- Ask whether the shop builds the cabinets or buys them. Both are fine, but the warranty terms differ.
- Get the wood species, box material and finish written into the contract, not just "custom cabinets."
- If the job grows to include plumbing, electrical and tile, it may be better run by a B or B-2 contractor.
Where C-6 contractors are
The cities with the most C-6 license holders in CSLB's current file:
- Cabinet and Finish Carpentry Contractors in San Diego: 106
- Cabinet and Finish Carpentry Contractors in Sacramento: 87
- Cabinet and Finish Carpentry Contractors in Los Angeles: 79
- Cabinet and Finish Carpentry Contractors in Anaheim: 60
- Cabinet and Finish Carpentry Contractors in San Jose: 60
- Cabinet and Finish Carpentry Contractors in Bakersfield: 53
- Cabinet and Finish Carpentry Contractors in Escondido: 51
- Cabinet and Finish Carpentry Contractors in Riverside: 49
- Cabinet and Finish Carpentry Contractors in Fresno: 47
- Cabinet and Finish Carpentry Contractors in Santa Ana: 43
All cabinet and finish carpentry contractors lists
Cities with at least 20 C-6 license holders, largest first:
- San Diego (106)
- Sacramento (87)
- Los Angeles (79)
- Anaheim (60)
- San Jose (60)
- Bakersfield (53)
- Escondido (51)
- Riverside (49)
- Fresno (47)
- Santa Ana (43)
- Huntington Beach (38)
- Orange (37)
- Corona (36)
- El Cajon (36)
- Long Beach (34)
- Oceanside (33)
- San Francisco (33)
- Simi Valley (33)
- Santa Barbara (32)
- Irvine (31)
- Santa Rosa (31)
- Ventura (31)
- Modesto (30)
- Temecula (30)
- Vista (29)
- Chula Vista (28)
- Costa Mesa (26)
- Oxnard (26)
- Murrieta (25)
- Van Nuys (24)
- Chico (23)
- Roseville (23)
- San Marcos (23)
- Torrance (23)
- Gardena (22)
- Oakland (22)
- Ontario (22)
- Palm Desert (22)
- Carlsbad (21)
- Rancho Cordova (21)
- Santa Cruz (21)
- Camarillo (20)
- Garden Grove (20)
- Northridge (20)
- Pasadena (20)
How to verify a C-6 license
- Search the business or license number here and confirm C-6 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
- C-5 Framing and Rough Carpentry Contractor
- B-2 Residential Remodeling 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: ← C-5 Framing and Rough Carpentry Contractor · C-7 Low Voltage Systems Contractor →