California Contractor License Bond – $25,000 (CSLB Required)

What Is the California Contractor License Bond?

The California Contractor License Bond (also called the CSLB bond or contractor’s bond) is a $25,000 surety bond required by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) under Business and Professions Code Section 7071.6. It was increased from $15,000 to $25,000 on January 1, 2023, under Senate Bill 607.

Every licensed contractor in California – whether applying for a new license, renewing, or reactivating an inactive license – must maintain an active contractor bond before the CSLB will process the license. Without it, your license cannot be issued or kept active.

The bond protects consumers, employees, and subcontractors from financial harm caused by contractor violations of California’s Contractor License Law – including defective construction, unpaid wages, and abandoned projects. Importantly, this is not insurance for the contractor; it is a financial guarantee to the CSLB and public. The contractor must reimburse any valid claim paid by the surety.

2026 Bond Amount & Requirements (CSLB)

As of January 1, 2023, the bond amount is $25,000 – and this remains the required amount in 2026. Here is what the CSLB requires:

• Bond amount: $25,000 (set by Senate Bill 607, effective January 1, 2023)
• Must be issued by a surety company licensed by the California Department of Insurance
• Business name and license number on the bond must exactly match CSLB records
• Must be signed by the surety company’s attorney-in-fact
• Must be written on the CSLB-approved form (13b-1)
• Must be received at CSLB headquarters within 90 days of the bond’s effective date
• E-filing: Bonds Express e-files directly with the CSLB (allow 24–48 business hours after payment; no weekend/holiday processing)

LLC Contractors: If your contracting business is structured as an LLC, you will also need a separate $100,000 California LLC Employee/Worker Bond in addition to the standard $25,000 contractor bond.

Pricing Breakdown

How Much Does the California Contractor License Bond Cost?

You do not pay the full $25,000 – you pay an annual premium based on your credit and other factors. Here is a general pricing guide:

Bad Credit? We Still Get You Approved

Bonds Express has specialized in hard-to-place bonds since 1965. If another surety company has declined your application due to credit issues, bankruptcies, judgments, or a disciplinary history with the CSLB, we can help! We maintain a high approval rate – not because we lower our standards, but because we work with a broad network of sureties that standard providers do not use.

Types of California Contractor Bonds We Issue

• California Contractor License Bond – $25,000 (this page)
• Bond of Qualifying Individual (RME/RMO) – $25,000
• California LLC Employee/Worker Bond – $100,000
• California Contractor Disciplinary Bond – $25,000 minimum (required after license revocation)
• Bid Bonds, Performance Bonds, and Payment Bonds for specific projects — view all project bonds

Related California Bonds

• California Roofing Contractor License Bond
• California Swimming Pool Contractor License Bond
• California Farm Labor Contractor Bond
• All California Surety Bonds

Contractor Bonds by State

Need a contractor bond in another state? We’re licensed nationwide:

• Arizona Contractor Residential License Bond
• Nevada Contractor License Bond
• Washington Contractor Bond
• Utah Contractor License Bond
• View all contractor bonds

How to Get Your California Contractor License Bond in 3 Steps

• 1

  Apply Online

  Complete our fast, free application. You will need your CSLB license number or application fee number (for new applicants).

• 2

  Get Your Quote

  Receive your personalized bond premium quote within 24 hours on most business days. No fee, no obligation.

• 3

  E-Filed with CSLB

  Once payment is confirmed, we e-file your bond directly with the CSLB. Allow 24–48 business hours for filing (excluding weekends and holidays).

Frequently Asked Questions