Do you need a license to be a carpenter in California?
No. California doesn't license carpenters as a trade. Contractors need a license from Contractors State License Board. Carpentry work falls under C-5 Framing & Rough Carpentry; C-6 Cabinet, Millwork & Finish Carpentry.
State license · By ChiselJobs Team · Updated
In short
California does not license carpenters as individuals, but any contracting job of $1,000 or more, any job needing a permit, or work with employees requires a license from the Contractors State License Board. Carpentry fits two classes: C-5 Framing and Rough Carpentry, and C-6 Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry; the B General Building license covers broader work. You need four years of journey-level experience in the last ten, a law and business exam, a trade exam and a $25,000 contractor bond. Licenses renew every two years with no continuing education. Work under $1,000 falls under the handyman exemption (AB 2622). Military spouses get expedited licensing and a waived initial fee.
Key facts
| Carpenter license | No |
| Licensing level | State |
| General contractor license | B General Building |
| Residential contractor license | B General Building |
| Home improvement registration | Covered by CSLB license |
| When a license is needed | $1,000+ (since Jan 1, 2025), any permit, or employees |
| Carpentry classification | C-5 Framing & Rough Carpentry; C-6 Cabinet, Millwork & Finish Carpentry |
| Exam | Law & business + trade |
| Experience | 4 yrs journey-level in last 10 |
| Bond / insurance | $25,000 bond |
| Renewal | 2 years |
| Continuing education | None |
| Local license | No (state license covers) |
| Board | Contractors State License Board |
Exam
| Exam provider | PSI (for CSLB) |
| Format | Closed book |
| Time | 3.5 hours per exam |
| Bulletin date | 2025-01-01 |
Two exams: B General Building trade exam and Law and Business exam. Study guide for exams on or after Jan 1, 2025.
- Source: cslb.ca.gov · checked November 6, 2026
- Source: cslb.ca.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Bond and insurance
| Bond minimum | $25,000 (contractor bond, all classes) |
| Insurance minimum | LLCs only: $1M (plus $100k per extra member, max $5M) |
LLCs also need a $100,000 employee/worker bond on top of the $25,000 contractor bond. Disciplinary bonds: $25,000 up to 10x contractor bond.
- Source: cslb.ca.gov · checked November 6, 2026
- Source: cslb.ca.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Military and out-of-state licenses
| Military spouses | Expedited licensure and waiver of initial application and license fee for spouses/domestic partners of active-duty members (since July 1, 2022) |
CSLB also expedites applications for service members in SkillBridge. DCA rule applies to all its boards including CSLB.
- Source: dca.ca.gov · checked November 6, 2026
- Source: cslb.ca.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Apprenticeship
| Registering agency | U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship (no state agency) |
Programs register through the Office of Apprenticeship; use the Partner Finder for local sponsors.
- Source: apprenticeship.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Building code
| Code in force | 2025 California Residential and Building Codes (Title 24, Parts 2.5 and 2) |
- Source: dgs.ca.gov · checked November 5, 2026