What "Contr Bond Susp" means on a California contractor license
Updated November 1, 2026 · Primary status
CSLB's license page wording: "License is under Contractors Bond Suspension."
Suspended because CSLB has no $25,000 contractor's bond on file, so the license can't be used for contracting until one is processed.
- 6,546licenses statewide
- 2.7%of all licenses in the file
- 6,343with a California address
California requires every contractor to keep a $25,000 contractor's bond on file with CSLB under B&P Code §7071.6. If the bond is cancelled, or a replacement never reaches the Board, the license is suspended. CSLB's license page says: "License is under Contractors Bond Suspension."
While this status shows, the license is not valid for contracting. That holds even if the contractor has years of good work behind them.
There is a real chance the fix is already in motion. CSLB notes on the page that a new bond may have arrived but not yet been processed, and once it is entered, the suspension is lifted back to the bond's effective date. So "my new bond is on its way" can be true. You just shouldn't take it on faith. Find the surety through CSLB's surety bond company search and ask whether the bond is active.
What to do if a contractor you're considering shows this status
- Hold off on signing or paying a deposit until a bond appears on CSLB's license page.
- Ask the contractor for the bond number and the name of the surety company.
- Look up the surety with CSLB's Surety Bond Company Search, then call it to confirm the bond is in force.
- Recheck the license in a few days, since a processed bond changes the status.
Always confirm the current status on CSLB's Instant License Check; it can change between our weekly refreshes.
Legal basis
Counties with the highest rate
| County | Licenses with this status | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Tehama County | 20 | 5.1% |
| Amador County | 22 | 5% |
| Butte County | 86 | 4.7% |
| Tulare County | 63 | 3.6% |
| Sutter County | 22 | 3.5% |
| Kern County | 124 | 3.3% |
| Siskiyou County | 14 | 3.3% |
| Solano County | 79 | 3.2% |
| Riverside County | 502 | 3% |
| Tuolumne County | 19 | 3% |
Counties with at least 300 licenses. Rate = share of local licenses showing this status.
City and trade lists where it is most common
- Licensed general contractors in Foster City: 6 of 51 (11.8%)
- Licensed flooring contractors in Santa Ana: 8 of 70 (11.4%)
- Licensed tile contractors in Santa Ana: 6 of 53 (11.3%)
- Licensed general contractors in Sanger: 6 of 56 (10.7%)
- Licensed cabinet and finish carpentry contractors in Riverside: 5 of 49 (10.2%)
- Licensed refrigeration contractors in Los Angeles: 4 of 40 (10%)
- Licensed general contractors in Capistrano Beach: 5 of 52 (9.6%)
- Licensed general engineering contractors in Auburn: 5 of 55 (9.1%)
- Licensed general contractors in Corona del Mar: 4 of 44 (9.1%)
- Licensed limited specialty contractors in Ramona: 4 of 44 (9.1%)
We started tracking week-to-week changes with the November 1, 2026 file. Trend data will appear here as history builds up.
Source: CSLB public data · Updated November 1, 2026 Status can change at any time. Verify on CSLB's Instant License Check.