Electrician licenses in
California
California licenses electricians statewide.
Search California electrician licenses (opens official site)
Official search run by Contractors State License Board (CSLB) at cslb.ca.gov.
What the license should say
In California you'll see one of these on an electrician's card, bid or truck:
- C-10 Electrical Contractor
- Business or individual contractor; places, installs or connects electrical wiring, fixtures, equipment and solar photovoltaic systems.
- General Electrician certification
- Individual; state certification for electricians employed by C-10 contractors, verified through the Department of Industrial Relations.
- Residential Electrician certification
- Individual; DIR certification limited to residential work for employees of C-10 contractors.
Hiring a company, not a person?
A CSLB contractor license, typically the C-10 Electrical classification, for any job of $1,000 or more in labor and materials or that needs a building permit.
Doing it yourself
No contractor license is needed for a casual or minor job under $1,000 total that requires no building permit, but not if the work is split to evade the rule or the person advertises as a contractor (B&P Code 7048).
Before you hire
- Contractor licensing in California (small-job limits, bonds, permits)
- How to check a license in California, step by step
- Before-you-hire checklist (one page, free PDF)
- File a complaint about an electrician (opens official site)