California Handyman License Requirements

If you want to work as a California handyman, you may be wondering what you need to start your business. Licensing is always one of the first concerns. What are the requirements to work as a handyman? How do you obtain your license? Is there even an official handyman license?

We’ll answer all of these questions and more in this California handyman guide.

The state of California does not have an official handyman license. However, you can only offer limited services without obtaining a general contractor’s license.

An unlicensed handyman can only handle projects that cost less than $500 – for both labor and materials. You cannot break a project up into smaller mini-projects to avoid going over $500. Additionally, unlicensed handymen cannot work on parts of a project that cost more than $500.

For example, if you are not licensed, you cannot work as a subcontractor on a big home remodeling project, even if your part of the work costs less than $500.

Another caveat is that the law is vague when it comes to the services you can perform without a license. Your work must be “casual, minor, or inconsequential” in nature.

Without a license, handymen in California are limited to only small jobs, like installing light fixtures, drywall, fixing fences, installing mailboxes or other minor repair jobs.

However, there are a few exceptions to the $500 limit.

For example, you can work on projects that exceed $500 if whatever work you are doing is not a fixed part of the structure. So, for example, you can assemble furniture or handle yard work without worrying about the $500 limit.

How To Get Your California Handyman License

If you want to work on projects over $500, you will need to get your contractor’s license. Remember – there’s no such thing as a handyman license in California. Big projects will require a contractor’s license.

To become licensed, you will need to meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Have an individual taxpayer identification number or Social Security number
• Have a minimum of four years of experience within the last 10 years as a contractor, journeyperson or supervising employee
• Pass an exam

You may be able to get credit towards work experience if you complete technical training, an apprenticeship or education through an accredited program. But you will still need to have at least a year of on-the-job experience as a contractor or journeyman.

To begin the process, you will need to:

• Submit an application to the Contractors State License Board (CSLB).
• Have documentation that demonstrates your credentials.
• Pay the $450 application fee.

From here, you can take the exam. If you pass the exam, you will need to pay a $200 license fee.

There are several testing centers throughout California, including the cities of:

• San Diego
• Norwalk
• San Bernardino
• Oakland
• Oxnard
• San Jose
• Sacramento
• Fresno

Anyone taking the exam will receive a Notice to Appear for Examination through the mail, which will outline the date, location and time of your exam.

The exam itself has two parts.

Anyone applying for a license must pass the Law and Business exam. If you are planning to work as a specialty contractor, you may also need to take an additional Trade exam.

If you pass the exam, you will receive a contractor bond and fee notification from the testing facility. The notification will provide you with information on what you will need to submit to receive your license.

While the requirements may vary, you will likely need:

• A cashier’s check for $15,000 or a contractor license bond
• The licensing fee of $200
• $12,500 Bond of Qualifying Individual
• Proof of workers’ compensation insurance (or exemption if you are working without employees)
• Completed asbestos exam
• Liability insurance (if applicable)
• Fingerprints submitted through Live Scan

You will also be required to register with the Secretary of State if you’re working as a contractor or as part of an LLC.

Can You Advertise Without Being Licensed?

If you plan to promote your services as a California handyman, you may be breaking the law if you purchase advertising. Laws on advertising in the state are very strict, and if you break these laws, they can result in serious consequences.

You cannot advertise yourself as a contractor if you’re not licensed.

What you can do is:

• Promote yourself honestly
• Mention that you are unlicensed (it’s required by law)

You can promote yourself as a handyman, but if you promote yourself as an electrician or plumber, these are licensed contractors who can promote themselves as being licensed. On the other hand, you can be in legal trouble if you misrepresent yourself as a licensed professional and are not one.

What Happens If You Operate Without a License?

If the job you’re performing exceeds $500 in value and doesn’t fall within the exceptions above, you can face charges for operating without a license. In fact, the problem is a major one and there’s a task force responsible for finding contractors who do licensed work without a license called Statewide Investigative Fraud Team.

The Team goes to great lengths to identify non-contractors, including:

• Scouring construction sites
• Operating stings

Anyone who does contracting work without a license will often be charged with a misdemeanor offense. Your first time getting caught is unlikely to be serious, but you can face up to six months in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Administrative fines can cost up to $15,000, with the actual amount depending on the nature of the work you were conducting.

Second offenses are more serious and require a minimum of 90 days in jail.

Instead, if you do want to conduct any form of licensed work that is higher than $500, be sure to secure your license first. Any California handyman who wants to go beyond basic work tasks can and should boost their career with a license.

If you don’t have a license, you can still run a profitable handyman business in California. You can still perform many tasks, even HVAC and small plumbing jobs as long as the work performed has a value of $500 or less.