🤝 CONTRACTOR RECIPROCITY PROGRAM: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE
Introduction
The Reciprocity Program by the Contractor State License Board (CSLB) aims to simplify the contractor licensing process across California, Arizona, Louisiana, and Nevada. This guide will walk you through the application steps and eligibility criteria.
What Does the Reciprocity Program Offer?
The CSLB has formalized agreements with Arizona, Louisiana, Nevada, and Utah contractor licensing bodies. The goal is to ease the licensing process for qualified contractors, aligning with CSLB’s philosophy that mutual licensing recognition is advantageous for all parties involved.
📘 Legal Reference: For an in-depth understanding, refer to Business and Professions Code Section 7065.4.
Uniform Eligibility Criteria
The prerequisites for participating in the Reciprocity Program are consistent across all states involved:
- The contractor license classification you seek must be listed on the respective state’s Reciprocal Classifications List.
- You must have maintained an active, good-standing license in one of the partner states for at least five years.
- Submit a ‘Request for Verification of License’ form, filled out by your existing licensing authority, to CSLB.
- Complete the ‘Application for Original Contractor’s License.’
Information for California-Based Contractors
If you’re a California contractor interested in obtaining a license in another state, you must request that state’s specific reciprocity form and forward it to CSLB.
Examination Guidelines
Holding a valid contractor’s license in Arizona, Louisiana, or Nevada and meeting the reciprocity conditions may exempt you from the trade section of the California exam. However, the business law part of the CSLB exam is still mandatory.
⚠️ Important Note: The CSLB retains the right to require the trade exam, even for those who meet the reciprocity conditions.
Summary
The Contractor Reciprocity Program by CSLB offers a streamlined pathway for contractors to acquire licenses across multiple states. You can leverage this program to broaden your professional opportunities by fulfilling the outlined criteria.
The following are Reciprocal License Classifications for ARIZONA and CALIFORNIA,
Visit the Arizona Registrar of Contractors License Reciprocity page.
| Arizona Class Code and Description |
California Class Code and Description |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| A | General Engineering | A | General Engineering |
| A-9 | Swimming Pools | C-53 | Swimming Pool |
| A-11 | Steel and Aluminum Erection | C-51 | Structural Steel |
| A-12 | Sewers, Drains, and Pipe Laying | C-42 | Sanitation Systems |
| A-17 | Electrical and Transmission Lines | A | General Engineering |
| A-19 | Swimming Pools, Including Solar | C-53 | Swimming Pool |
| A-21 | Landscaping and Irrigation Systems | C-27 | Landscaping |
| B | General Residential Contractor | B | General Building |
| B-1 | General Commercial Contractor | B | General Building |
| B-2 | General Small Commercial Contractor | B | General Building |
| B-3 | General Remodeling and Repair Contractor | B | General Building |
| B-5 | General Swimming Pool Contractor | C-53 | Swimming Pool |
| B-6 | General Swimming Pool Contractor, Including Solar | C-53 | Swimming Pool |
| C-4 | Boilers, Including Solar | C-4 | Boiler, Hot Water Heating, and Steam Fitting |
| C-4R | Boilers | C-4 | Boiler, Hot Water Heating, and Steam Fitting |
| C-7 | Carpentry | C-5 | Framing and Rough Carpentry |
| C-9 | Concrete | C-8 | Concrete |
| C-11 | Electrical | C-10 | Electrical |
| C-16 | Fire Protection Systems | C-16 | Fire Protection |
| C-17 | Structural Steel and Aluminum | C-51 | Structural Steel |
| C-18 | Elevators | C-11 | Elevators |
| C-31 | Masonry | C-29 | Masonry |
| C-37 | Plumbing, Including Solar | C-36 | Plumbing |
| C-37R | Sewers, Drains, and Pipe Laying | C-34 | Pipeline |
| C-37R | Plumbing | C-36 | Plumbing |
| C-39 | Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar |
C-20 | Warm-air Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning |
| C-39R | Air Conditioning and Refrigeration | C-20 | Warm-air Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning |
| C-42 | Roofing | C-39 | Roofing |
| C-61 | Limited Remodeling and Repair | B | General Building |
| C-68 | Mobile Home Remodeling and Repair | C-47 | General Manufactured Housing |
| K-4 | Boilers, Steamfitting and Process Piping | C-4 | Boiler, Hot Water Heating, and Steam Fitting |
| K-7 | Carpentry | C-5 | Framing and Rough Carpentry |
| K-9 | Concrete | C-8 | Concrete |
| K-11 | Electrical | C-10 | Electrical |
| K-12 | Elevators | C-11 | Elevators |
| K-16 | Fire Protection Systems | C-16 | Fire Protection |
| K-17 | Steel and Aluminum Erection | C-51 | Structural Steel |
| K-21 | Landscaping and Irrigation Systems | C-27 | Landscaping |
| K-31 | Masonry | C-29 | Masonry |
| K-37 | Plumbing | C-36 | Plumbing |
| K-39 | Air Conditioning and Refrigeration | C-20 | Warm-air Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning |
| K-42 | Roofing | C-39 | Roofing |
| K-61 | Carpentry, Remodeling, and Repairs | C-5 | Framing and Rough Carpentry |
| K-61 | Carpentry, Remodeling, and Repairs | C-6 | Cabinet, Millwork, and Finish Carpentry |
| K-62 | Reinforcing Bar and Wire Mesh | C-50 | Reinforcing Steel |
| K-74 | Boilers, Steamfitting and Process Piping, Including Solar | C-4 | Boiler, Hot Water Heating, and Steam Fitting |
| K-77 | Plumbing, Including Solar | C-36 | Plumbing |
| K-79 | Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar |
C-20 | Warm-air Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning |
| KA | Dual Engineering | A | General Engineering |
| KA-5 | Dual Swimming Pool Contractor | C-53 | Swimming Pool |
| KA-6 | Dual Swimming Pool Contractor, Including Solar | C-53 | Swimming Pool |
| KB-1 | Dual Building Contractor | B | General Building |
| KB-2 | Dual Residential and Small Commercial | B | General Building |
| L-4 | Boilers, Steamfitting and Process Piping | C-4 | Boiler, Hot Water Heating, and Steam Fitting |
| L-7 | Carpentry | C-5 | Framing and Rough Carpentry |
| L-9 | Concrete | C-8 | Concrete |
| L-11 | Electrical | C-10 | Electrical |
| L-12 | Elevators | C-11 | Elevators |
| L-16 | Fire Protection Systems | C-16 | Fire Protection |
| L-31 | Masonry | C-29 | Masonry |
| L-37 | Plumbing | C-36 | Plumbing |
| L-39 | Air Conditioning and Refrigeration | C-20 | Warm-air Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning |
| L-42 | Roofing | C-39 | Roofing |
| L-49 | Commercial, Industrial Refrigeration | C-38 | Refrigeration |
| L-61 | Carpentry, Remodeling, and Repairs | B C-5 |
General Building, or Framing and Rough Carpentry |
| L-62 | Reinforcing Bar and Wire Mesh | C-50 | Reinforcing Steel |
| L-74 | Boilers, Steamfitting and Process Piping, Including Solar | C-4 | Boiler, Hot Water Heating, and Steam Fitting |
| L-77 | Plumbing, Including Solar | C-36 | Plumbing |
| L-79 | Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Including Solar |
C-20 | Warm-air Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning |
The following are Reciprocal License Classifications for LOUISIANA and CALIFORNIA,
Visit the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors Reciprocity page.
| Louisiana Class Code and Description |
California Class Code and Description |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Commercial Building | B | General Building |
| 12 | Residential Building | B | General Building |
The following are Reciprocal License Classifications for NEVADA and CALIFORNIA,
Visit the Nevada State Contractors Board License Reciprocity page.
| Nevada Class Code and Description |
California Class Code and Description |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| A | General Engineering | A | General Engineering |
| B | General Building | B | General Building |
| C-1a | Boilers | C-4 | Boiler, Hot Water Heating, and Steam Fitting (Added 5/2003) |
| C-3 | Carpentry, Maintenance & Minor Repairs (excluding C-3c Cabinets & Millwork) |
C-5 | Framing and Rough Carpentry (Added 5/2003) |
| C-3a | Carpentry, Remodeling, and Repairs | C-5 | Framing and Rough Carpentry (Added 5/2003) |
| C-3b | Finish Carpentry (Revised 07/23/2008; formerly C-3c Cabinets and Millwork) |
C-6 | Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry (Added 5/2003) |
| C-2d | Low Voltage (Revised 08/19/2008; formerly C-2e Signal Systems) |
C-7 | Low Voltage Systems (Added 5/2003) |
| C-5 | Concrete | C-8 | Concrete |
| C-7 | Elevation & Conveyance | C-11 | Elevator (Added 5/2003) |
| A-16 | Paving of Streets, Driveways, and Parking Lots | C-12 | Earthwork and Paving (Added 5/2003) |
| C-41 | Fire Protection | C-16 | Fire Protection (Added 5/2003) |
| C-1f C-21 |
Heating Cooling & Circulating Air Refrigeration & Air Conditioning |
C-20 | Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating & Air Conditioning |
| C-10 | Landscaping | C-27 | Landscaping |
| C-18 | Masonry | C-29 | Masonry |
| C-4 | Painting & Decorating | C-33 | Painting & Decorating |
| A-15 A-19 A-20 |
Sewers, Drains & Pipes Pipeline and Conduits Industrial Piping |
C-34 | Pipeline (Added 5/2003) |
| C-17 | Lathing and Plastering | C-35 | Lathing and Plastering (Added 5/2003) |
| C-21a | Refrigeration | C-38 | Refrigeration |
| C-15 | Roofing & Siding | C-39 | Roofing |
| A-15 | Sewers, Drains & Pipes | C-42 | Sanitation Systems |
| C-1e C-21e |
Sheet Metal Solar Air Conditioning |
C-43 | Sheet Metal |
| C-6 C-6b |
Erecting Signs Electrical Signs |
C-45 | Electrical Sign |
| C-37 | Solar | C-46 | Solar |
| A-10 | Swimming Pools | C-53 | Swimming Pools |
| C-20 | Tiling | C-54 | Tile (Ceramic & Mosaic) |
| C-23 | Drilling Wells | C-57 | Well Drilling |
PLEASE NOTE: If an applicant is granted reciprocity, the CSLB may waive the trade portion of the exam but retains the right to require the exam. The applicant will still be required to take the business law portion of CSLB’s exam. For more information on CSLB’s Reciprocity Program, please get in touch with the Licensing Information Center at 1-800-321-CSLB (2752).