• General Info
• About CSLB
• History and Background

History and Background

The 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 Department of Consumer Affairs.

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 noncontractors and one local building official), five contractors and one labor representative. Appointments are made by the Governor and the Legislature.

The CSLB licenses and regulates contractors in 43 classifications that constitute the construction industry. Currently there are approximately 280,000 licensed contractors in the state. The CSLB also registers home improvement salespersons.

The Registrar oversees approximately 380 employees, who are distributed among the headquarters office in Sacramento and field offices throughout the state.

The headquarters office receives and processes applications for new licenses, additional classifications, changes of license records, and license renewals. The 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. The staff of the field offices investigate consumer complaints against licensed and unlicensed contractors.

The Board has established a Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) that focuses on the underground economy and on unlicensed contractors. These units conduct stings and sweeps to help curtail illegal contracting by citing those who are not licensed.

The Board holds regularly scheduled public meetings throughout the state. These meetings provide the public an opportunity to testify on agenda items and other issues.