How to get a Electrical license in California
The full California electrical licensing path — experience hours, required exam, fees, and where to apply. Verified 5/26/2026.
Career prep, not a license.
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C-10 Electrical Contractor License
California licenses electrical contractors under the C-10 classification through the CSLB. California also requires individual electricians who perform work for a C-10 contractor to hold state Electrician Certification through the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) — separate from the C-10 contractor license. This dual-license structure catches many out-of-state contractors off-guard.
Step-by-step: how to get your California C-10 electrical license
CSLB process is 90–180 days for the C-10, plus each of your employees needs individual DLSE certification (a separate 720-hour + exam process).
- Verify 4 years of journey-level experience within the last 10 years. Trade-school and apprenticeship credits offset up to 3 years.
- Submit Application for Original Contractor License ($330). Include Certification of Work Experience signed by a qualifier with personal knowledge.
- Pass background check via LiveScan fingerprinting ($56).
- Take and pass CSLB Law & Business exam AND the C-10 Trade exam through PSI. Both closed-book, 3.5 hours each, 72% to pass.
- Post the $25,000 California Contractors License Bond and secure workers' comp if you have employees.
- Pay $200 initial license fee. License issues 2–3 weeks after passing exams.
- Every electrician you employ must be individually DLSE-certified as General Electrician, Residential Electrician, or a specialty (Fire/Life Safety, Voice/Data/Video, Non-Residential Lighting).
C-10 scope vs. specialty electrical classifications
The C-10 is broad. Some niche work requires additional specialty classifications on the same license number.
- C-10 Electrical — all general electrical: wiring, fixtures, service upgrades, motor controls, low-voltage.
- C-7 Low-Voltage Systems — voice, data, video, security, and alarms below 91 volts. Can be held independently or as a specialty under C-10.
- C-46 Solar Contractor — required for solar PV installation. C-10 alone doesn't cover PV panels and racking.
- C-45 Sign Contractor — required for electrical signs; a C-10 can install the electrical connection but not fabricate/install the sign itself.
- Every C-10 contractor must also comply with California's Electrician Certification law: every employee performing electrical work must be individually DLSE-certified.
California C-10 exam: what's on it
Both exams closed-book at PSI centers throughout California. No reference materials permitted.
Law & Business: 115 questions, 3.5 hours. CSLB rules, mechanic's lien law (California-specific 20-day preliminary notice), employment law, safety, contract law, bookkeeping. Prop 65 disclosure and California-specific worker classification questions are common.
C-10 Trade: 100 questions, 3.5 hours. 2022 California Electrical Code (based on 2020 NEC with California amendments), Title 24 Part 6 energy compliance, service and feeder calculations, motor control, transformer connections, and California-specific solar interconnection rules.
California C-10 fees & ongoing costs (2026)
Year-one budget: $1,500–$3,000 for the C-10 itself, plus $200–$400 per employee for DLSE certification exams. Renewal every 2 years.
- Application fee: $330.
- Initial license fee: $200.
- Fingerprinting (LiveScan): ~$56.
- Contractor bond: $25,000 face value; premium $200–$500/year.
- Workers' comp: required if any employees.
- Renewal: $450 every 2 years. No CE required for C-10 contractor renewal.
- DLSE Electrician Certification (per employee): $100 application + $100 exam. Requires 720 hours of on-the-job training minimum for General Electrician.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a electrical license in California?
You need 4 years (8,000 hours) journey-level experience within the last 10 years. Then pass the Law & Business Exam + C-10 Trade Exam administered by PSI Services (on behalf of CSLB). Applications go through the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB).
What exam do I need to pass?
Law & Business Exam + C-10 Trade Exam — administered by PSI Services (on behalf of CSLB).
How much experience do I need?
4 years (8,000 hours) journey-level experience within the last 10 years
What about fees, insurance, and continuing education?
Application fee: $450. Initial license fee: $200. Contractor bond: $25,000. Workers' comp required if employees. Trade exam covers NEC, wiring methods, motors, low-voltage. Reciprocity: CA does not have formal reciprocity with other states. Renewal every 2 years; no CE required for license renewal but certified electricians need 32 hrs CE every 3 years.
Do all electricians in California need to be individually certified?
Yes. California Labor Code Section 3099 requires every person performing electrical work for a C-10 contractor to hold a state Electrician Certification (General, Residential, Fire/Life Safety, Voice/Data/Video, or Non-Residential Lighting). This is separate from the C-10 contractor license. Uncertified electricians working for a C-10 contractor create liability for the contractor.
How does California handle out-of-state electrical contractor reciprocity?
California has reciprocity with Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and Louisiana for the Trade portion of the exam only, if you've held an equivalent license for 5+ years. Law & Business is always required. Individual DLSE Electrician Certification is not reciprocal — every employee must complete California hours and pass the exam.
Can I do electrical work in California under my B General Building license?
A B General Building contractor can perform electrical work only as part of a project involving at least 2 unrelated trades (framing + electrical + HVAC, for example). Standalone electrical work — service upgrades, panel changes, EV charger installs — requires a C-10 license. Every employee performing that electrical work still needs DLSE certification.
Why does California require both a C-10 and separate employee certifications?
The C-10 was historically the only requirement, but a 1999 law added individual electrician certification to raise the skill floor after several high-profile electrical accidents. The C-10 authorizes the business to contract for electrical work; DLSE certification authorizes each individual to perform that work safely. Both are required together.
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