What "__OTHER__" means on a California contractor license
Updated November 1, 2026 · Status group
A less common suspension type that we don't explain separately; read the reason on CSLB's license page.
- 174licenses statewide
- 0.1%of all licenses in the file
- 142with a California address
CSLB uses many short codes in its data file, and it doesn't publish a glossary for them. We write separate explainers for the suspensions that come up most often. When a license carries a rarer suspension, or a code we haven't mapped yet, we group it here.
The specific reason matters less than the basic fact. Under California law, a suspended license is not valid for contracting, whatever the cause. Several kinds of suspension happen automatically, "by operation of law," once a deadline passes.
To learn the actual reason, open the license on CSLB's Instant License Check. The status line near the top states it in CSLB's own words. Keep in mind our data comes from a weekly file, so the live page may already show something different.
What to do if a contractor you're considering shows this status
- Look up the license on CSLB's Instant License Check and read the status line.
- Don't sign or pay a deposit while the license shows any suspension.
- Ask the contractor what caused the suspension and when it is expected to clear.
- Look the license up again before work starts, since statuses change.
Always confirm the current status on CSLB's Instant License Check; it can change between our weekly refreshes.
Less common suspension types
Counties with the highest rate
| County | Licenses with this status | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Amador County | 1 | 0.2% |
| Los Angeles County | 49 | 0.1% |
| San Diego County | 17 | 0.1% |
| San Bernardino County | 7 | 0.1% |
| Santa Clara County | 6 | 0.1% |
| Contra Costa County | 5 | 0.1% |
| Sacramento County | 5 | 0.1% |
| San Luis Obispo County | 4 | 0.1% |
| Stanislaus County | 4 | 0.1% |
| Kern County | 3 | 0.1% |
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 engineering contractors in Upland: 2 of 49 (4.1%)
- Licensed limited specialty contractors in Redwood City: 1 of 40 (2.5%)
- Licensed limited specialty contractors in Gilroy: 1 of 46 (2.2%)
- Licensed electricians in Norwalk: 1 of 46 (2.2%)
- Licensed landscapers in Sylmar: 1 of 48 (2.1%)
- Licensed plumbers in Chico: 1 of 51 (2%)
- Licensed general engineering contractors in Chula Vista: 1 of 50 (2%)
- Licensed general contractors in Ridgecrest: 1 of 50 (2%)
- Licensed plumbers in Santa Clara: 1 of 50 (2%)
- Licensed general engineering contractors in Brea: 1 of 49 (2%)
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.