C-8 Concrete Contractor license in California
Updated November 1, 2026 · Official name from CSLB's classification list
- 5,608licenses hold C-8
- 94.4%Clear (CA addresses)
- 0.3%workers' comp exempt (all: 49.6%)
- 100%contractor's bond on file
- 13.4 yrsmedian time licensed
- 64.8%businesses, not sole owners
A C-8 contractor forms, pours, places and finishes concrete: driveways, patios, sidewalks, slabs, foundations and other flatwork or mass concrete. Setting screeds for pavement is part of the class. Two things are excluded by CSLB's description: plaster coatings and placing rebar as a stand-alone business.
Concrete is one of the trades California singles out on workers' compensation. Under the current BPC §7125, a C-8 contractor must carry workers' comp even with no employees, a rule in place since July 1, 2023. Our workers' comp guide shows how to confirm the policy.
Typical work under C-8
- Driveways and garage slabs
- Patios, walkways and sidewalks
- House and addition foundations
- Stamped or colored flatwork
- Concrete steps and curbs
- Breaking out and replacing cracked slabs
Work that needs a different license
- Tying rebar as a separate contract: C-50 Reinforcing Steel
- Stucco or plaster finishes: C-35 Lathing and Plastering
- Concrete pumping, sawing or coring only: C-61/D-6 Concrete Related Services
Tips before hiring
- Look for a workers' comp policy on the license record. A C-8 claiming an exemption is a red flag worth asking about.
- Ask the bid to list slab thickness, base material and whether rebar or mesh is included.
- Ask how long you must stay off the new concrete before driving on it.
- Get the plan for drainage in writing so water runs away from the house.
Where C-8 contractors are
The cities with the most C-8 license holders in CSLB's current file:
- Concrete Contractors in Bakersfield: 133
- Concrete Contractors in San Jose: 132
- Concrete Contractors in Sacramento: 126
- Concrete Contractors in San Diego: 108
- Concrete Contractors in Fresno: 91
- Concrete Contractors in Riverside: 87
- Concrete Contractors in Los Angeles: 79
- Concrete Contractors in Santa Rosa: 62
- Concrete Contractors in Escondido: 58
- Concrete Contractors in Stockton: 52
All concrete contractors lists
Cities with at least 20 C-8 license holders, largest first:
- Bakersfield (133)
- San Jose (132)
- Sacramento (126)
- San Diego (108)
- Fresno (91)
- Riverside (87)
- Los Angeles (79)
- Santa Rosa (62)
- Escondido (58)
- Stockton (52)
- San Francisco (48)
- Anaheim (47)
- Simi Valley (47)
- Redding (41)
- El Cajon (39)
- San Bernardino (39)
- Sylmar (37)
- Chula Vista (36)
- Santa Ana (36)
- Vista (36)
- Chico (35)
- Gilroy (33)
- Hayward (32)
- Morgan Hill (32)
- Ontario (32)
- Corona (31)
- Menifee (31)
- Orange (31)
- Modesto (30)
- Palmdale (30)
- Perris (30)
- Clovis (28)
- Hollister (28)
- Moreno Valley (28)
- Lancaster (27)
- Oxnard (26)
- Paso Robles (26)
- Vacaville (26)
- Fairfield (25)
- Fontana (24)
- Oakland (24)
- Santa Maria (24)
- Murrieta (23)
- Livermore (22)
- Roseville (22)
- Santa Barbara (22)
- Van Nuys (22)
- Yuba City (22)
- Antioch (21)
- Concord (21)
- Hesperia (21)
- Huntington Beach (21)
- Lake Elsinore (21)
- Rancho Cucamonga (21)
- Salinas (21)
- Carlsbad (20)
- Elk Grove (20)
- Hemet (20)
- Napa (20)
- San Fernando (20)
- Upland (20)
- Visalia (20)
How to verify a C-8 license
- Search the business or license number here and confirm C-8 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-50 Reinforcing Steel Contractor
- C-12 Earthwork and Paving Contractors
- C-29 Masonry Contractor
- C-61 Limited Specialty
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-7 Low Voltage Systems Contractor · C-9 Drywall Contractor →