California Contractor License Classifications

The state of California has classifications for the contractor license. As there are many types and variations these categories may have their subcategories. Below are the California Contractor License Classifications.

A. General Engineering Contractor

The General Engineering Contracting business is in connection with fixed works that require specialized engineering knowledge and skills.

In the A classification are included the following divisions or subjects:

1. Irrigation
2. Drainage
3. Water power
4. Water supply
5. Flood control
6. Inland waterways
7. Harbors
8. Docks and wharves
9. Shipyards and ports
10. Dams and hydroelectric projects
11. Levees
12. River control and reclamation works
13. Railroads
14. Highways
15. Streets and roads
16. Tunnels
17. Airports and airways
18. Sewers and sewage disposal plants and systems
19. Waste reduction plants
20. Bridges
21. Overpasses
22. Underpasses
23. Pipelines
24. Parks
25. Playgrounds
26. Refineries
27. Chemical plants
28. Powerhouses
29. Power plants
30. Mines and metallurgical plants
31. Land leveling
32. Earthmoving projects
33. Excavating
34. Grading
35. Trenching
36. Paving
37. Surfacing work
38. And cement and concrete works in connection with the above-mentioned fixed works.

B. General Building Contractor

As it is described in the Business and Professions Code

1. So, a general building contractor is a contractor whose principal contracting business is in connection with any structure built, being built, or to be built, for the support, shelter, and enclosure of persons, animals, chattels, or movable property of any kind, requiring in its construction the use of at least two unrelated building trades or crafts, or to do or superintend the whole or any part thereof.
2. Moreover, a general building contractor may take a prime contract or a subcontract for a framing or carpentry project. However, a general building contractor shall not take a prime contract for any project involving trades other than framing or carpentry unless the prime contract requires at least two unrelated building trades or crafts other than framing or carpentry, or unless the general building contractor holds the appropriate license classification or subcontracts with an appropriately licensed specialty contractor to perform the work. A general building contractor shall not take a subcontract involving trades other than framing or carpentry, unless the subcontract requires at least two unrelated trades or crafts other than framing or carpentry, or unless the general building contractor holds the appropriate license classification.
3. But, no general building contractor shall contract for any project that includes the “C-16” Fire Protection classification or the “C-57” Well Drilling of the Water Code unless the general building contractor holds the specialty license or subcontracts with the appropriately licensed specialty contractor.

C. Specialty Contractor

As it is described in the Business and Professions Code

1. A specialty contractor is a contractor whose operations as such are the performance of construction work requiring special skill and whose principal contracting business involves the use of specialized building trades or crafts.
2. In addition those, whose operations include the business of servicing or testing fire extinguishing systems.
3. Moreover, whose operations are concerned with the installation and laying of carpets, linoleum, and resilient floor covering.

The Specialty Contractor Subclassifications

C-2 – Insulation and Acoustical Contractor

That is to say, they install any insulating media and performed architectural acoustical materials for temperature and/or sound control.

C-4 – Boiler, Hot Water Heating, and Steam Fitting Contractor

To clarify, they provide any kind of services connected with boilers, hot water heating, and steam fitting

C-5 – Framing and Rough Carpentry Contractor

That is to say, they perform any formwork, framing, or rough carpentry necessary to construct framed structures.

C-6 – Cabinet, Millwork, and Finish Carpentry Contractor

That is to say, they make cabinets, cases, sashes, doors, trims, nonbearing partitions, and other items of “finish carpentry”.

C-7 – Low Voltage Systems Contractor

To clarify, they maintain all types of communication and low voltage systems which are energy limited and do not exceed 91 volts.

C-8 – Concrete Contractor

To clarify, they form, pour, place, finish, and install specified mass, pavement, flat, and other concrete work.

C-9 – Drywall Contractor

To clarify, they lay out and install gypsum wallboard and gypsum wallboard assemblies including nonstructural metal framing members.

C-10 – Electrical Contractor

That is to say, they place, install, erect, or connect any electrical wires, fixtures, appliances, apparatus, raceways, conduits, solar photovoltaic cells, or any part thereof, which generate, transmit, transform or utilize electrical energy in any form or for any purpose.

C-11 – Elevator Contractor

That is to say, they fabricate, erect, install, and repair elevators and provide any kind of services connected with elevators.

C-12 – Earthwork and Paving Contractors

That is to say, they dig, move, and place material forming the surface of the earth.

C-13 – Fencing Contractor

That is to say, they construct and repair all types of fences, cribs, game court enclosures, and similar structures.

C-15 – Flooring and Floor Covering Contractors

To clarify, they prepare any surface for the installation of flooring and floor coverings.

C-16 – Fire Protection Contractor

To clarify, they lay out, fabricate, and install all types of fire protection systems.

C-17 – Glazing Contractor

To clarify, they execute the fabrication and glazing of frames, panels, sashes, and doors; and/or installs these items in any structure.

C-20 – Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning Contractor

To clarify, they install/maintain, services, and repair warm-air heating systems and water heating heat pumps.

C-21 – Building Moving/Demolition Contractor

That is to say, they move or remove structures, including their foundations, and provides other similar services.

C-22 – Asbestos Abatement Contractor

That is to say, they perform abatement, including containment, encapsulation, or removal, and disposal of asbestos-containing construction materials.

C-23 – Ornamental Metal Contractor

That is to say, they assemble/install bronze, copper, cast iron any other metal for the architectural treatment and ornamental decoration of structures.

C-27 – Landscaping Contractor

That is to say, they construct/repair or install landscape systems and facilities for public and private gardens and other areas.

C-28 – Lock and Security Equipment Contractor

That is to say, they install/repair all doors and gates, locks, and locking devices.

C-29 – Masonry Contractor

That is to say, they Install concrete units and baked clay products; concrete, glass, and clay block.

C-31 – Construction Zone Traffic Control Contractor

To clarify, they prepare or remove lane closures, flagging, or traffic diversions, utilizing portable devices.

C-32 – Parking and Highway Improvement Contractor

To clarify, they apply and install protective coatings, vehicle stops, etc.

C-33 – Painting and Decorating Contractor

To clarify, they prepare by scraping or other means and applies paints, papers, textures, fabrics, pigments, oils, etc.

C-34 – Pipeline Contractor

To clarify, they fabricate and install pipelines for the conveyance of fluids, such as water, gas, or petroleum.

C-35 – Lathing and Plastering Contractor

To clarify, they coat surfaces with a mixture of sand, gypsum plaster, etc. Moreover, applies and affixes wood and metal lath.

C-36 – Plumbing Contractor

That is to say, they provide a means for a supply of safe water. Moreover, this category includes a vast variety of services connected with water and gas supplies.

C-38 – Refrigeration Contractor

That is to say, they construct, install and maintain services, and repair refrigerators, refrigerated rooms, etc.

C-39 – Roofing Contractor

That is to say, they install products and repair surfaces that seal, waterproof and weatherproof structures.

C-42 – Sanitation System Contractor

To clarify, they fabricate and install cesspools, septic tanks, storm drains, and other sewage disposal and drain structures.

C-43 – Sheet Metal Contractor

That is to say, they select, cut, shape, fabricate, and install sheet metal such as cornices, flashings, etc.

C-45 – Sign Contractor

That is to say, they install and erect electrical signs, including the wiring of such electrical signs, and non-electrical signs.

C-46 – Solar Contractor

To clarify they install/modify, maintain and repair thermal and photovoltaic solar energy systems.

C-47 – General Manufactured Housing Contractor

To clarify, they provide utility services on single-family individual site placement.

C-50 – Reinforcing Steel Contractor

That is to say, they fabricate, place and tie steel mesh or steel reinforcing bars that are or may be used to reinforce concrete structures.

C-51 – Structural Steel Contractor

That is to say, they fabricate and erect structural steel shapes and plates that are or may be used as structural members for buildings.

C-53 – Swimming Pool Contractor

That is to say, they construct swimming pools, spas, or hot tubs.

C-54 – Ceramic and Mosaic Tile Contractor

To clarify, they prepare surfaces as necessary and installs glazed walls, ceramic, mosaic, etc.

C-55 – Water Conditioning Contractor

To clarify, they install water conditioning equipment with the use of only such pipe and fittings.

C-57 – Well Drilling Contractor

To clarify, they install and repair water wells and pumps by boring, drilling, excavating, etc.

C-60 – Welding Contractor

That is to say, they cause metals to become permanently attached, joined, and fabricated by the use of gases and electrical energy.

C-61 – Limited Specialty Classification

Contractors State License Board has listed the C-61 classifications into “D” subcategories for administrative tracking.

D-1 – Architectural Porcelain (Now under D-64)
D-2 – Asbestos Fabrication (Now under C-2)
D-3 – Awnings
D-4 – Central Vacuum Systems
D-5 – Communication Equipment (Converted to C-7)
D-6 – Concrete Related Services
D-7 – Conveyors-Cranes (Now under D-21)
D-8 – Doors and Door Services (Now under D-28)
D-9 – Drilling, Blasting, and Oil Field Work
D-10 – Elevated Floors
D-11 – Fencing (Converted to C-13)
D-12 – Synthetic Products
D-13 – Fire Extinguisher Systems (Now under C-16)
D-14 – Floor Covering (Converted to C-15)
D-15 – Furnaces (Now under “A” or C-20)
D-16 – Hardware, Locks, and Safes
D-17 – Industrial Insulation (Now under C-2)
D-18 – Prison and Jail Equipment (Under relevant class)
D-19 – Land Clearing (Now under C-12 or “A” if a license is required)
D-20 – Lead Burning and Fabrication (Now under D-64)
D-21 – Machinery and Pumps
D-22 – Marble (Now under C-29)
D-23 – Medical Gas Systems (Now under C-36)
D24 – Metal Products
D-25 – Mirrors and Fixed Glass (Now under C-17)
D-26 – Mobile Home Installation and Repairs (Converted to C-47)
D-27 – Movable Partitions (Now under D-34)
D-28 – Doors, Gates, and Activating Devices
D-29 – Paperhanging
D-30 – Pile Driving and Pressure Foundation Jacking
D-31 – Pole Installation and Maintenance
D-32 – Power Nailing and Fastening (Now under D-64)
D-33 – Precast Concrete Stairs (Now under C-29)
D-34 – Prefabricated Equipment
D-35 – Pool and Spa Maintenance
D-36 – Rigging and Rig Building (Now under “A”)
D-37 – Safes and Vaults (Now under D-16)
D-38 – Sand and Water Blasting
D-39 – Scaffolding
D-40 – Service Station Equipment and Maintenance
D-41 – Siding and Decking
D-42 – Non-Electrical Sign Installation
D-43 – Soil Grouting (Now under C-32, C-12, or “A”)
D-44 – Sprinklers (Now under D-12)
D-45 – Staff and Stone (Now under C-29)
D-46 – Steeple Jack Work (under relevant class)
D-47 – Tennis Court Surfacing (Now under C-12 or “A”)
D-48 – Theater and School Equipment (Now under D-34)
D-49 – Tree Service
D-50 – Suspended Ceilings
D-51 – Waterproofing and weatherproofing (under relevant class)
D-52 – Window Coverings
D-53 – Wood Tanks
D-54 – Rockscaping (Now under C-15 or C-27)
D-55 – Blasting (Now under C-12 or “A”)
D-56 – Trenching Only
D-57 – Propane Gas Plants (Now under “A”)
D-58 – Residential Floating Docks (Now under “A”)
D-59 – Hydroseed Spraying
D-60 – Striping (Now under C-32)
D-61 – Gold Leaf Gilding (Now under D-64)
D-62 – Air and Water Balancing
D-63 – Construction Clean-up
D-64 – Non-specialized
D-65 – Weatherization and Energy Conservation