California Handyman Licensing: Requirements, Laws, and Limits

It’s a lot easier to start a handyman business in California than you might think. In fact, if you stick to smaller jobs that don’t involve structural changes, plumbing, or electrical work, you don’t even need a license. California only requires a contractor license for handymen who work on projects exceeding $1,000 for parts and labor.

Still, it’s important to know California’s licensing laws to ensure you’re operating a compliant business, and you may benefit from getting a contractor license to take on larger, more complex jobs. Our guide covers all the important details, including requirements, exceptions, and recent changes to California law that may affect handymen who are currently in business.

We also spoke to two contractors about their licensing experience and business tips:

• Andrew Fisher, who owns Valley Patios Inc. in Palm Desert, California
• Yoni Assulin, the founder of ASL Remodeling in San Jose, California

California handyman license requirements at a glance

On Jan. 1, 2025, California changed its laws governing handyman licensing and the limits on jobs that can be done without holding a state-issued contractor license. The table below provides a quick overview of what’s required, including the updates made in Assembly Bill 2622.

Do you need a handyman license in California?

California doesn’t require a license for handyman work, as long as the following factors apply:

• The total cost of the project, including labor and materials, does not exceed $1,000.
• You perform the work independently without employees, subcontractors, or an apprentice.
• The work doesn’t require a building permit.

Note that you cannot split a single project into multiple smaller invoices to stay under the $1,000 threshold. Staying within legal limits is important to avoid penalties, but also to build a trustworthy business. “Contractors frequently skirt local building codes in order to have lower bids or higher profit margins. In the long run, this ends up with poor craftsmanship, unhappy customers, and going out of business,” Fisher says.

If a project doesn’t meet all of the requirements above, you’ll need a general contractor license from the Contractors State License Board.

Jobs that require a California general contractor license include:

• Working on a kitchen remodel, even as a subcontractor installing a sink or hanging shelves  
• Removing asbestos and other hazardous materials (unless you’re certified by the California Department of Industrial Relations to perform this work)
• Any work requiring a permit (for residential and commercial tasks)
• Rerouting wiring in a remodel or building a new addition
• Building a deck
• Replacing pipes (especially if it requires excavation)

This list isn’t exhaustive. If you’re unsure about whether the job you’re being asked to do violates state licensing laws, contact the CSLB with your questions.

Local handyman business licensing requirements

In addition to state-level general contractor requirements, you may also need to comply with city or county regulations for handyman work. Several of California’s major metro areas have additional requirements for handyman businesses, even if you’re a solo owner-operator exclusively taking jobs valued under $1,000.

Los Angeles

Anyone doing business in LA needs a Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC) from the Los Angeles City Office of Finance, including handypersons. While you aren’t exempt from paying taxes in your first year of operations, you actually pay them in your second year of operations, when you renew your BTRC (called “Back Tax“).

San Diego

In addition to state licensing, handymen in the City of San Diego require a Business Tax Certificate for tax purposes. This certificate does not replace other legal requirements. Additionally, the Development Services Department requires specific city permits for plumbing or electrical work.

San Diego requires all handymen to list the City of San Diego as an additional insured party on their general liability insurance policies and carry California Workers’ Compensation insurance. The policy must include a waiver of subrogation rights against the City of San Diego and its agents.

San Jose

San Jose requires handymen to register for a Business Tax Certificate with the City of San Jose Finance Department.

San Francisco

San Francisco requires all handymen to register with the City and County of San Francisco Office of the Treasurer and Tax Collector. Not all handyman businesses require a City Business License, so check the requirements to see if this is required for your business.

What can a handyman do without a license in California?

There are a lot of handyman jobs you can do without a license, especially now that California has raised the maximum value of unlicensed jobs from $500 to $1,000. These include:

• Furniture assembly and minor carpentry
• Painting
• Drywall maintenance
• Minor electrical tasks (installing light fixtures and ceiling fans, upgrading smoke detectors, and installing home security equipment)
• Minor plumbing tasks (fixing leaky faucets, installing bathroom hardware)
• Installing, repairing, and maintaining tiles in kitchens and bathrooms
• Removing debris, fixing clogs, repairing leaks, and cleaning out gutters and downspouts

Again, this isn’t an exhaustive list. You may find that there’s a demand for a specific type of handyman job where you live that’s permissible without a license, such as senior and disability home modifications (installing grab bars, motion-sensor faucets, stair lifts, and shower seats).

Consequences of working without a handyman license in California

The CSLB is responsible for finding handymen in violation of state licensing laws through its Statewide Investigative Fraud Team. If the Fraud Team finds you performing handyman work that violates state law, you’ll face the following consequences:

• First time offense: Misdemeanor punishable with up to 6 months in jail and a $500 fine, plus administrative fines between $200 and $15,000
• Subsequent violations: Punishable by at least 90 days in jail and a fine of either 20% of the contract value of the work performed or a $4,500 fine

Types of handyman work that may require additional licensing

Although California only requires a license for certain types of handyman work, other home service-based jobs are strictly regulated by the state of California:

• Electricians must have a valid license from the journeyman level on
• Plumbers must be licensed in California
• HVAC techs and contractors must be licensed

Many handyman jobs cross over into plumber, electrician, or HVAC territory. Depending on the kind of jobs you take, you may benefit from holding a journeyman license.

You may work with hazardous substances, which is common for handymen who work on older homes. The California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Occupation Safety and Health (DOSH) requires certifications to work with asbestos and other hazardous materials.

California handyman license requirements: Age, education, and training

You can start working as a handyman with just a toolbox and general know-how, but there are several requirements you’ll need to meet to apply for your general contractor license:

• Be 18 years or older
• Complete four years of journey-level experience (up to three years of technical training at community college or trade school or an apprenticeship program)
• Have a California driver’s license or state identification ID
• Have a Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number

In addition, you must file a $25,000 cashier’s check or $25,000 bond with the CSLB, which protects in case of damage to a customer’s property, unpaid employee wages, or California license law violations.

Recommended skills

Handymen are often generalists who should be comfortable performing light carpentry and other home improvement tasks, such as the following:

• Ceiling fan installation
• Door and window installation and repair
• Drywall repair
• Exterior and interior maintenance
• Furniture assembly
• Interior and exterior painting and staining
• Interior winterization services
• Lighting installation and maintenance
• Minor plumbing, electrical, and carpentry tasks
• Tile repair
• Yard and fence maintenance and repairs

The broader your skillset is and the more niche your abilities (such as having experience completing smart home integration or working with eco-friendly materials), the more jobs you can take on. Any extra training and certifications you have on top of a general contractor license can strengthen your reputation and increase your business opportunities.

Handyman license cost in California

The total cost of a handyman license depends on several factors, including whether you’re a sole proprietor or have employees, whether you have a business partner, and whether you need multiple classifications of licensure.

Use the table below to calculate your potential licensing fees. Fees are payable by cash (exact change only), check, or money order at the CSLB Sacramento office.

*Each live scan site sets its own fee; CSLB does not set the price. Rolling fees are available on the DOJ listing of Live Scan sites

Licenses must be renewed every two years if active, or every four years if inactive. The fees are as follows:

Note that the CSLB considers a license renewal to be “on time”  if it’s postmarked or received at CSLB (for hand deliveries) on or before the expiration date. Late applications will cost the renewal fee plus a late fee penalty.

How to apply for a handyman license in California

California offers three classes of general contractor licenses:

• Class A General Engineering Contractor (for large-scale projects requiring structural engineering knowledge)
• Class B General Building Contractor (for projects that involve two or more trades)
• Class C Specialty Contractor (required for fire extinguishing systems, installation of floor coverings, and roadway construction zone preparation)

Class B is best-suited for most handyman jobs in California, unless you plan to offer floor covering services. Here’s the step-by-step process to get your Class B general contractor license:

• Complete at least four years of journey-level trades experience, verifiable by a current or former employer, union representative, or licensed general contractor
• Complete and submit your Class B contractor application
• Pass the general contractor examination
• Pay the licensing fee
• Submit your fingerprints
• Obtain a bond
• Provide proof of insurance

If you have a family member with an active license in good standing and you’ve been working for that family member’s handyman business for at least five years, you may be able to waive the exam requirement by submitting proof of your experience and their licensure.

In any case, Assulin recommends double-checking any documentation. “When I was first getting licensed, I thought the hardest part would be the exam—but the real hurdle was navigating the paperwork. Every state has different steps, and it’s easy to miss one.”

Transferring your handyman license to or from California

California has reciprocity agreements with Arizona, Nevada, and Louisiana. If you hold a valid contractor’s license in any of these states, you may be eligible to obtain a California contractor license without taking the trade portion of the exam. However, you may still be required to pass the Business and Law section of the examination.

How to renew your handyman license in California

California general contractor licenses must be renewed every two years. Licenses with a single qualifier can be renewed online through the CSLB website. To renew a license with multiple qualifiers, you must submit the renewal application and payment to the CSLB at the following address:

Contractors State License Board

P.O. Box 26000

Sacramento, CA 95826-0026

You can also renew your license as “inactive” if you’re not actively performing work that requires a license. The fees are a little lower, and you only have to renew your license every four years.

General contractors in California don’t have mandatory continuing education for renewal.

What happens if your license expires

If you fail to renew your license on time, you’ll have to pay several hundred dollars in fees— much as $1,050 for a non-sole business owner with an active contractor license.

If your license is expired, you must immediately stop working on any projects valued over $1,000 for labor and materials combined. Otherwise, you’ll face serious legal trouble, including heavy fines and jail time.

You can petition the CSLB for a retroactive renewal if you had a legitimate reason for missing the renewal deadline by sending in a written petition to the CSLB demonstrating that you missed the renewal deadline due to circumstances out of your control.  

Requirements to start a handyman business in California

If you plan to work as a single owner-operator handyman and not accept jobs valued over $1,000, you can start your business today with just your toolbox and a little marketing.

However, if you want to take on bigger jobs or work as a subcontractor on larger-value projects (like kitchen or bathroom remodeling), you’ll need a state-issued general contractor license first. You’ll also need a license plus workers’ compensation insurance if it’s time to expand your business and hire employees.

Insurance and bonding needs

Any handyman business owner with at least one employee must carry California workers’ compensation insurance coverage. Even if it’s just you, you can still take out a workers’ comp policy, which covers all your necessary medical care after an accident and provides disability benefits if you’re severely injured.

Handymen in California must also have:

• Commercial general liability insurance coverage of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate
• Commercial vehicle insurance coverage if you and your crew use company vehicles
• Contractor license bond of $25,000 OR
• A $25,000 cashier’s check filed with the CLSB

If your license was revoked or suspended, you may also be required to carry a disciplinary bond of at least $25,000.

Tips for growing your handyman business in California

Your practical skills and abilities are only part of what it takes to run a successful handyman business. Here are some tips for growing your business:

• Invest in quality tools and marketing: “New handymen sometimes focus too much on keeping costs down to the detriment of their business,” Fisher says. “Buy high quality tools. Invest in marketing. If you’re good at what you do, clients will be happy to refer you, leading to low-cost leads in the long run.”
• Promote your work online. Use platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Yelp, Google Business, and Nextdoor to get your name in front of local homeowners.
• Be reliable and responsive: “Nothing helped me more than being reachable and reliable,” Assulin says. “Return calls fast, show up on time, and you’ll get more referrals than any ad can buy.”
• Encourage happy clients to leave reviews. Satisfied customers are your best promoters. Ask for reviews on Google or social media, and consider offering a discount on future work as an incentive.
• Focus on long-term satisfaction over short-term savings: “We’ve found major success by focusing on long-term sustainability,” Fisher says. “We only use high-quality products that lead to long-term customer satisfaction. We have many leads coming in via client referrals from jobs that we completed over five years ago.”
• Use the right tools to scale your business:  Invoicing, payments, and accounting can eat up valuable time. Software like Housecall Pro simplifies these tasks by letting you send quotes, generate invoices with online payment options, and accept payments on the spot through a mobile app. Try our free 14-day trial to see if our software is the right fit for your needs.