Verify Contractors by Trade Classification

53 CSLB classifications covering 315,333 contractors, each checked against 6 data sources

About CSLB Classifications

The California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) issues licenses in three main categories: A (General Engineering), B (General Building), and C (Specialty). Each classification authorizes specific types of construction work. Contractors may hold multiple classifications.

C - Specialty Licenses

C10

Electrical

Electrical contractors for wiring, lighting, and electrical systems.

30,535

contractors

C36

Plumbing

Plumbing contractors for pipes, fixtures, and water systems.

19,061

contractors

C33

Painting & Decorating

Painting and decorating contractors for interior and exterior finishes.

17,203

contractors

C27

Landscaping

Landscaping contractors for outdoor spaces, irrigation, and hardscaping.

13,326

contractors

C20

HVAC

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning contractors.

12,985

contractors

C15

Flooring

Flooring and floor covering contractors for all floor types.

7,540

contractors

C54

Tile

Tile contractors for ceramic, stone, and mosaic installations.

6,813

contractors

C39

Roofing

Roofing contractors for roof installation and repair.

6,123

contractors

C-8

Concrete

Concrete contractors for foundations, slabs, and structural concrete.

6,073

contractors

C-7

Low Voltage Systems

Low voltage systems contractors for alarms, audio/video, and communications.

5,205

contractors

C-6

Cabinet & Millwork

Cabinet, millwork, and finish carpentry contractors.

4,724

contractors

C-9

Drywall

Drywall contractors for interior wall and ceiling systems.

3,524

contractors

C17

Glazing

Glazing contractors for windows, glass doors, and glass installations.

3,327

contractors

C53

Swimming Pool

Swimming pool contractors for pool construction and service.

3,115

contractors

C12

Earthwork & Paving

Earthwork and paving contractors for grading and site preparation.

2,651

contractors

C16

Fire Protection

Fire protection contractors for sprinklers and fire suppression systems.

2,372

contractors

C29

Masonry

Masonry contractors for brick, block, and stone work.

2,257

contractors

C21

Building Moving & Demolition

Building moving and demolition contractors.

1,978

contractors

C35

Lathing & Plastering

Lathing and plastering contractors for interior finishes.

1,972

contractors

C13

Fencing

Fencing contractors for all types of fence installation.

1,967

contractors

C38

Refrigeration

Refrigeration contractors for commercial cooling systems.

1,769

contractors

C51

Structural Steel

Structural steel contractors for steel frame construction.

1,664

contractors

C43

Sheet Metal

Sheet metal contractors for ductwork and metal fabrication.

1,395

contractors

C46

Solar

Solar contractors for photovoltaic and solar thermal systems.

1,276

contractors

C-2

Insulation & Acoustical

Insulation and acoustical contractors for thermal and sound insulation.

1,254

contractors

C60

Welding

Welding contractors for metal joining and fabrication.

1,196

contractors

C23

Ornamental Metal

Ornamental metal contractors for decorative metalwork.

1,153

contractors

C-5

Framing & Rough Carpentry

Framing and rough carpentry contractors for structural wood framing.

1,148

contractors

C42

Sanitation System

Sanitation system contractors for septic and sewage systems.

1,031

contractors

C45

Sign

Sign contractors for commercial and roadway signage.

932

contractors

C57

Well Drilling

Well drilling contractors for water wells.

773

contractors

C-4

Boiler, Hot Water & Steam

Boiler, hot water heating, and steam fitting contractors.

733

contractors

C34

Pipeline

Pipeline contractors for water, gas, and sewer lines.

572

contractors

C32

Parking & Highway Improvement

Parking and highway improvement contractors.

549

contractors

C31

Traffic Control

Construction zone traffic control contractors.

495

contractors

C47

Manufactured Housing

General manufactured housing contractors.

474

contractors

C28

Lock & Security Equipment

Lock and security equipment contractors.

390

contractors

C22

Asbestos Abatement

Asbestos abatement contractors for hazardous material removal.

323

contractors

C55

Water Conditioning

Water conditioning contractors for water treatment systems.

319

contractors

C50

Reinforcing Steel

Reinforcing steel contractors for rebar installation.

282

contractors

C11

Elevator

Elevator contractors for installation and service of elevators and escalators.

236

contractors

Why Trade Classification Matters for Verification

California law requires contractors to hold the correct CSLB classification for any project valued at $500+ (labor and materials). Hiring a contractor with the wrong classification is the same as hiring an unlicensed contractor under California law.

CSLB Classification Categories

  • Class A - General Engineering: Infrastructure (highways, bridges, utilities)
  • Class B - General Building: Building construction and structures
  • Class C - Specialty: Trade-specific (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing)
  • Class D - Specialty: Limited-scope specialty work

SiteVetter goes beyond CSLB license status. Each trade page shows how many contractors in that classification have records in SAM.gov, OSHA, DOL, and EPA databases—federal violations a standard license check misses.

Need contractors in a specific area? Verify by city to check contractors near you.

Data sourced from California Contractors State License Board. Updated weekly.