General Building Contractor License
The General Contractor License is one of the most sought-after licenses in the United States and specifically the state of California. That’s because it is one of the most versatile licenses. Anyone licensed with this B trade license can take almost any kind of job out there by hiring a subcontractor or working the project themselves. Unlike a specialty license contractor that must stick to doing work that pertains only to its trade, the general contractor can take projects with multiple trades. This opens the door to all kinds of construction possibilities and a larger pool of opportunities than any other trade. Here is a list of the things a general contractor can do as specified by the state:
Business & Professions Code
Division 3, Chapter 9. Contractors, Article 4. Classifications
- (a) Except as provided in this section, 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.
This does not include anyone who merely furnishes materials or supplies under Section 7045 without fabricating them into, or consuming them in the performance of the work of the general building contractor.
(b) 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. The general building contractor may not count framing or carpentry in calculating the two unrelated trades necessary in order for the general building contractor to be able to take a prime contract or subcontract for a project involving other trades.
(c) No general building contractor shall contract for any project that includes the “C-16” Fire Protection classification as provided for in Section 7026.12 or the “C-57” Well Drilling classification as provided for in Section 13750.5 of the Water Code, unless the general building contractor holds the specialty license or subcontracts with the appropriately licensed specialty contractor.
So that’s it! Now, in order to get your contractor license in this trade, you will first need 4 years of journeyman level experience. A journeyman is one who can do the work without a supervisor from start to finish. Generally, you prove your experience through W-2’s that you received from your employer. If you have been self-employed, that’s okay, you will simply need someone to sign off for you basically stating that they know you have been doing this kind of work on your own for at least 4 years. Although it does not have to be a licensed contractor that is usually the most desired scenario. Got more questions? You can reach out to us by going to our CONTACT page. Are you excited to get started and you just want to start now? You can start by going to our page called, ENROLL. We look forward to serving you. Our passion is your success!
Contractor Licensing Classifications
(A) General Engineering Contractor
(B) General Building Contractor
(C) Specialty Contractor
- C-2 – Insulation and Acoustical Contractor
- C-4 – Boiler, Hot Water Heating and Steam Fitting Contractor
- C-5 – Framing and Rough Carpentry Contractor
- C-6 – Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry Contractor
- C-7 – Low Voltage Systems Contractor
- C-8 – Concrete Contractor
- C-9 – Drywall Contractor
- C10 – Electrical Contractor
- C11 – Elevator Contractor
- C12 – Earthwork and Paving Contractors
- C13 – Fencing Contractor
- C15 – Flooring and Floor Covering Contractors
- C16 – Fire Protection Contractor
- C17 – Glazing Contractor
- C20 – Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor
- C21 – Building Moving/Demolition Contractor
- C22 – Asbestos Abatement Contractor
- C23 – Ornamental Metal Contractor
- C27 – Landscaping Contractor
- C28 – Lock and Security Equipment Contractor
- C29 – Masonry Contractor
- C31 – Construction Zone Traffic Control Contractor
- C32 – Parking and Highway Improvement Contractor
- C33 – Painting and Decorating Contractor
- C34 – Pipeline Contractor
- C35 – Lathing and Plastering Contractor
- C36 – Plumbing Contractor
- C38 – Refrigeration Contractor
- C39 – Roofing Contractor
- C42 – Sanitation System Contractor
- C43 – Sheet Metal Contractor
- C45 – Sign Contractor
- C46 – Solar Contractor
- C47 – General Manufactured Housing Contractor
- C50 – Reinforcing Steel Contractor
- C51 – Structural Steel Contractor
- C53 – Swimming Pool Contractor
- C54 – Ceramic and Mosaic Tile Contractor
- C55 – Water Conditioning Contractor
- C57 – Well Drilling Contractor
- C60 – Welding Contractor
- C-61 – Limited Specialty
- ASB – Asbestos Certification
- HAZ – Hazardous Substance Removal Certification
C-61 Specialty License Includes the following:
- D-1 – Architectural Porcelain (Now D-64)
- D-2 – Asbestos Fabrication (Now C-2)
- D-3 – Awnings
- D-4 – Central Vacuum Systems
- D-5 – Communication Equipment (Now C-7)
- D-6 – Concrete Related Services
- D-7 – Conveyors-Cranes (Now D-21)
- D-8 – Doors and Door Services (Now D-28)
- D-9 – Drilling, Blasting and Oil Field Work
- D-10 – Elevated Floors
- D-11 – Fencing (Now C-13)
- D-12 – Synthetic Products
- D-13 – Fire Extinguisher Systems (Now C-16)
- D-14 – Floor Covering (Now C-15)
- D-15 – Furnaces (Now “A” or C-20)
- D-16 – Hardware, Locks and Safes
- D-17 – Industrial Insulation (Now C-2)
- D-18 – Prison and Jail Equipment (Under relevant class)
- D-19 – Land Clearing (Now C-12 or “A” if license is required)
- D-20 – Lead Burning and Fabrication (Now D-64)
- D-21 – Machinery and Pumps
- D-22 – Marble (Now C-29)
- D-23 – Medical Gas Systems (Now C-36)
- D24 – Metal Products
- D-25 – Mirrors and Fixed Glass (Now C-17)
- D-26 – Mobile Home Installation and Repairs (Now C-47)
- D-27 – Movable Partitions (Now 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 D-64)
- D-33 – Precast Concrete Stairs (Now C-29)
- D-34 – Prefabricated Equipment
- D-35 – Pool and Spa Maintenance
- D-36 – Rigging and Rig Building (Now “A”)
- D-37 – Safes and Vaults (Now 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 C-32, C-12 or “A”)
- D-44 – Sprinklers (Now D-12)
- D-45 – Staff and Stone (Now C-29)
- D-46 – Steeple Jack Work (under relevant class)
- D-47 – Tennis Court Surfacing (Now C-12 or “A”)
- D-48 – Theater and School Equipment (Now 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 C-15 or C-27)
- D-55 – Blasting (Now under C-12 or “A”)
- D-56 – Trenching Only
- D-57 – Propane Gas Plants (Now “A”)
- D-58 – Residential Floating Docks (Now “A”)
- D-59 – Hydroseed Spraying
- D-60 – Striping (Now C-32)
- D-61 – Gold Leaf Gilding (Now D-64)
- D-62 – Air and Water Balancing
- D-63 – Construction Clean-up
- D-64 – Non-specialized
- D-65 – Weatherization and Energy Conservation