Large states · 4 trades verified · checked 2026-10-20
California trade licenses
Electrician, Plumber, HVAC and General contractor credentials in California, from the issuing board's page or the statute: who issues each one, the levels, the time it takes and the exam.
| Trade | Issued by | Top credential | Time to top | Exam | Fees printed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | California Contractors State License Board (C-10) and Department of Industrial Relations | C-10 Electrical Contractor (CSLB) | 4 years | Yes | Yes |
| Plumber | California Contractors State License Board | C-36 Plumbing Contractor | 4 years | Yes | Yes |
| HVAC | California Contractors State License Board | C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor | 4 years | Yes | Yes |
| General contractor | California Contractors State License Board | B General Building Contractor | 4 years | Yes | Yes |
Electrician in California
Two layers: the Department of Industrial Relations certifies electricians who work for a C-10 contractor, and the CSLB licenses the C-10 electrical contractor business. C-10 Electrical Contractor (CSLB): 4 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
General Electrician certification (DIR) — 4 years, 720 classroom hours, exam. C-10 Electrical Contractor (CSLB) — 4 years, exam, application $450, initial license (sole owner) $200. No reciprocity partner is named in the source.
What the top level asks for: The qualifying individual needs at least four years of journeyman-level experience within the last ten years and must pass written law and trade examinations.
California electrician details · Electrician in every state
Plumber in California
The CSLB licenses the plumbing contracting business under the C-36 Plumbing Contractor classification. The CSLB sources read set no separate state license for individual journeyman plumbers. C-36 Plumbing Contractor: 4 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
C-36 Plumbing Contractor — 4 years, exam, application $450, initial license (sole owner) $200. No reciprocity partner is named in the source.
What the top level asks for: The qualifying individual needs at least four years of journeyman-level experience in the classification within the last ten years and must pass written law and trade examinations.
California plumber details · Plumber in every state
HVAC in California
The CSLB licenses heating and air conditioning businesses under C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor; commercial refrigeration falls under C-38 Refrigeration Contractor. C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor: 4 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor — 4 years, exam, application $450, initial license (sole owner) $200. No reciprocity partner is named in the source.
What the top level asks for: The qualifying individual needs at least four years of journeyman-level experience within the last ten years and must pass written law and trade examinations.
California HVAC details · HVAC in every state
General contractor in California
The CSLB licenses general building contractors (B) and residential remodeling contractors (B-2). B General Building Contractor: 4 years of experience at minimum, plus an exam.
B-2 Residential Remodeling Contractor — 4 years, exam, application $450, initial license (sole owner) $200. B General Building Contractor — 4 years, exam, application $450, initial license (sole owner) $200. No reciprocity partner is named in the source.
What the top level asks for: Four years of journeyman-level experience within the last ten years, and written law and trade examinations.
California general contractor details · General contractor in every state
Moving to or from California
Electrician: no route is named in the source. Plumber: no route is named in the source. HVAC: no route is named in the source. General contractor: no route is named in the source. Conditions differ by board, so read the state page for each trade before relying on a partner list.
Nearby and comparable: Florida · Georgia · Michigan · North Carolina · Ohio. Guides: how long each state takes · license or registration.
General information from the California sources on 2026-10-20, not legal advice. Each board is the authority; confirm before applying.