What "Work Comp Susp" means on a California contractor license
Updated November 1, 2026 · Primary status
CSLB's license page wording: "License is under suspension for failure to comply with Workers Comp."
Suspended automatically because CSLB has no current workers' comp certificate or exemption on file for this license.
- 2,983licenses statewide
- 1.2%of all licenses in the file
- 2,730with a California address
A contractor has to keep either a workers' compensation certificate or a valid exemption on file with CSLB. When the policy lapses or the paperwork goes missing, B&P Code §7125.2 calls for "automatic suspension of the license by operation of law." Nobody at CSLB has to make a decision; it happens on its own.
For you, the practical point is that the license can't be used to contract while this status is in place.
CSLB adds that a certificate or exemption may have been received but not processed yet. Once it is, the suspension is lifted back to the effective date. Note that some trades must carry workers' comp even with no employees: under the current law, that list is C-8, C-20, C-22, C-39 and D-49. You can find the insurer through CSLB's insurance company search.
What to do if a contractor you're considering shows this status
- Don't let work start while the license shows this suspension.
- Ask for a current workers' comp certificate, or the exemption the contractor filed.
- Call the insurance company named on the certificate and confirm the policy is active today.
- Look the license up again before signing, since a processed certificate 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Madera County | 16 | 1.8% |
| Imperial County | 7 | 1.7% |
| San Benito County | 10 | 1.6% |
| Kern County | 54 | 1.4% |
| San Joaquin County | 50 | 1.4% |
| Stanislaus County | 43 | 1.4% |
| Merced County | 16 | 1.4% |
| Lake County | 8 | 1.4% |
| Riverside County | 208 | 1.3% |
| San Bernardino County | 141 | 1.3% |
Counties with at least 300 licenses. Rate = share of local licenses showing this status.
City and trade lists where it is most common
- Licensed roofers in Stockton: 6 of 46 (13%)
- Licensed concrete contractors in Los Angeles: 7 of 79 (8.9%)
- Licensed HVAC contractors in Temecula: 5 of 60 (8.3%)
- Licensed tile contractors in Santa Ana: 4 of 53 (7.5%)
- Licensed limited specialty contractors in Rialto: 3 of 40 (7.5%)
- Licensed HVAC contractors in Oceanside: 3 of 42 (7.1%)
- Licensed limited specialty contractors in Vacaville: 4 of 57 (7%)
- Licensed HVAC contractors in Santa Clara: 3 of 44 (6.8%)
- Licensed HVAC contractors in Santa Ana: 4 of 60 (6.7%)
- Licensed limited specialty contractors in South San Francisco: 3 of 45 (6.7%)
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.