California Contractors State License Board
Encyclopedia
The California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) was established in 1929 as the Contractors License Bureau under the Department of Professional and Vocational Standards. Today it is part of the California Department of Consumer Affairs
(DCA). DCA is part of the California State and Consumer Services Agency.
The CSLB licenses and regulates contractors in 43 classifications that constitute the construction industry
.
As of September 1, 2010, there were 307,167 licensed contractors in the state. The CSLB also registers Home Improvement Salespersons (HIS). As of September 1, 2010, there were 7,596 HIS.
The top 10 licensing classifications, in order of active licenses issued by CSLB on September 1, 2010 are:
A 15-member board appoints the CSLB's executive officer, or Registrar of Contractors, and directs administrative policy for the agency's operations. This board includes nine public members (eight non-contractors and one local building official), five contractors and one labor representative. Appointments are made by the Governor and the Legislature.
The Registrar oversees approximately 400 employees, who are distributed among the headquarters office in Sacramento and field offices throughout the state.
CSLB's headquarters office receives and processes applications for new licenses, additional classifications, changes of license records, and license renewals. Headquarters staff review and maintain records of disciplinary actions initiated by the regional offices and provide other support services. This office also provides the verified certificates of licensure used in court or other actions. The status of licensure is also made available. Headquarters directs the activities of the field offices and initiates all disciplinary actions resulting from their investigations. Field office staff investigates consumer complaints against licensed and unlicensed contractors. In fiscal year 2008/09 CSLB obtained more than $36 million in ordered restitution for consumers.
CSLB's Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) focuses on the underground economy and on unlicensed contractors. This unit conducts stings and sweeps to help curtail illegal contracting by citing those who are not licensed. SWIFT conducts on the average of one undercover sting operation per week somewhere in California.
CSLB holds regularly scheduled public meetings throughout the state. These meetings provide the public an opportunity to testify on agenda items and other issues.
In 2009, the CSLB celebrated its 80th anniversary of protecting California consumers.
The Contractors State License Board will accomplish this by:
California Department of Consumer Affairs
The California Department of Consumer Affairs is a department under the California State and Consumer Services Agency. DCA's stated mission is to serve the interests of California's consumers by ensuring a standard of professionalism in key industries and promoting informed consumer practices...
(DCA). DCA is part of the California State and Consumer Services Agency.
The CSLB licenses and regulates contractors in 43 classifications that constitute the construction industry
Construction
In the fields of architecture and civil engineering, construction is a process that consists of the building or assembling of infrastructure. Far from being a single activity, large scale construction is a feat of human multitasking...
.
As of September 1, 2010, there were 307,167 licensed contractors in the state. The CSLB also registers Home Improvement Salespersons (HIS). As of September 1, 2010, there were 7,596 HIS.
The top 10 licensing classifications, in order of active licenses issued by CSLB on September 1, 2010 are:
- "B" General Building Contractor - 112,125
- "C-10" Electrical - 25,737
- "C-33" Painting and Decorating - 16,857
- "A" General Engineering Contractor - 16,293
- "C-36" Plumbing - 15,320
- "C-27" Landscaping - 11,529
- "C-20" Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-ConditioningAir conditioningAn air conditioner is a home appliance, system, or mechanism designed to dehumidify and extract heat from an area. The cooling is done using a simple refrigeration cycle...
- 11,489 - "C-15" Flooring and Floor CoveringFlooringFlooring is the general term for a permanent covering of a floor, or for the work of installing such a floor covering. Floor covering is a term to generically describe any finish material applied over a floor structure to provide a walking surface...
- 7,642 - "C-8" Concrete - 6,713
- "C-54" Tile - 6,652
A 15-member board appoints the CSLB's executive officer, or Registrar of Contractors, and directs administrative policy for the agency's operations. This board includes nine public members (eight non-contractors and one local building official), five contractors and one labor representative. Appointments are made by the Governor and the Legislature.
The Registrar oversees approximately 400 employees, who are distributed among the headquarters office in Sacramento and field offices throughout the state.
CSLB's headquarters office receives and processes applications for new licenses, additional classifications, changes of license records, and license renewals. Headquarters staff review and maintain records of disciplinary actions initiated by the regional offices and provide other support services. This office also provides the verified certificates of licensure used in court or other actions. The status of licensure is also made available. Headquarters directs the activities of the field offices and initiates all disciplinary actions resulting from their investigations. Field office staff investigates consumer complaints against licensed and unlicensed contractors. In fiscal year 2008/09 CSLB obtained more than $36 million in ordered restitution for consumers.
CSLB's Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) focuses on the underground economy and on unlicensed contractors. This unit conducts stings and sweeps to help curtail illegal contracting by citing those who are not licensed. SWIFT conducts on the average of one undercover sting operation per week somewhere in California.
CSLB holds regularly scheduled public meetings throughout the state. These meetings provide the public an opportunity to testify on agenda items and other issues.
In 2009, the CSLB celebrated its 80th anniversary of protecting California consumers.
CSLB's Mission Statement
The Contractors State License Board protects consumers by regulating the construction industry through policies that promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the public in matters relating to construction.The Contractors State License Board will accomplish this by:
- Ensuring that construction is performed in a safe, competent and professional manner;
- Licensing contractors and enforcing licensing laws;
- Requiring that any person practicing or offering to practice construction contracting be licensed;
- Enforcing the laws, regulations and standards governing construction contracting in a fair and uniform manner;
- Providing resolution to disputes that arise from construction activities; and
- Educating consumers so that they make informed choices.