Resources
Check a license before you hire.
California licenses contractors, architects, engineers, and attorneys, and each license can be looked up for free on an official state website. Checking takes a minute and is one of the best protections you have.
Official license lookups
- Contractors State License Board (CSLB): Check a LicenseSearch by license number, business name, or personal name. You can also call CSLB at (800) 321-2752.
- Department of Consumer Affairs: License SearchLicenses issued by many California boards, including the California Architects Board.
- Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists: License LookupCivil, structural, and other engineers, land surveyors, and geologists.
- State Bar of California: Attorney SearchConfirm an attorney is licensed and in good standing. (Content copyright © The State Bar of California.)
What to look for on a contractor's license
- Status. The license should be active, not expired, suspended, or revoked.
- Name. The name on the license should match the business name on your contract and proposal.
- Classification. The license classification should cover the kind of work you're hiring for.
- Workers' compensation. The record shows whether the contractor reports workers' compensation coverage or an exemption.
- History. The record shows public disciplinary actions, if any.
- Salespeople. Anyone selling home improvement work for a contractor generally must be registered with CSLB as a home improvement salesperson; you can look them up too.
Contracting without a license in a declared disaster area is a felony in California. If someone can't give you a license number, or the record doesn't match, pause before signing or paying anything.
ROAM Builders Inc. holds CSLB Lic. #1151324. We encourage you to check it.
General information only, not legal advice. ROAM is not a law firm, and reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship; for advice about your situation, consult a California-licensed attorney. Links marked ↗ go to websites ROAM does not operate. They are provided for convenience and do not imply endorsement by or affiliation with ROAM or the linked organization. Laws and agency programs change; the official text and agency websites control. See our legal notices.