• 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 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.

CSLB licenses and regulates contractors in 43 classifications that constitute the construction industry. Currently there are more than 300,000 licensed contractors in the state. CSLB also registers home improvement salespersons.

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 information on the status of a license as well as the verified certificates of licensure used in court or other actions. Headquarters directs the activities of the field offices and initiates all disciplinary actions resulting from their investigations. Field office staff investigate consumer complaints against licensed and unlicensed contractors. In FY 2007/08 CSLB obtained more than $35.2 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.

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