San Diego Contractor License & Insurance Verification (2025): How to Check CSLB, Bond, Workers’ Comp & Discipline
Updated December 2025 – San Diego County
“Licensed and insured” is marketing language until you verify it.
In San Diego outdoor living projects, the fastest way to expose sloppy operators is simple: run a proper CSLB verification in 3 minutes and confirm the contractor’s status, classifications, bond, workers’ compensation, liability insurance, and discipline history. This guide shows you exactly how.
Educational only (not legal advice). If you need legal guidance about licensing, insurance coverage, or disputes, consult a California construction attorney.
TL;DR — The 6 Checks That Expose Risk Fast
- License status: must be Active (not expired, suspended, or inactive).
- Business name match: CSLB name must match your contract/invoices (watch DBA mismatches).
- Correct classifications: must align with your project scope (hardscape, turf, walls, electrical, plumbing/gas).
- Bond: confirm the contractor license bond is current (and LLC bond if applicable).
- Workers’ comp: confirm active workers’ comp coverage (gaps can trigger suspension).
- Discipline: any pending disciplinary action, expired license, or missing bond/comp is a major warning sign.
3-Minute CSLB Verification (Step-by-Step)
- Get the license number. It should be on ads, trucks, proposals, and contracts.
- Go to CSLB “Check a License.” Search by license number (best) or business name.
- Open the exact license detail record. Don’t stop at a list of similar names.
- Confirm “License Status” is Active. If not active, do not proceed.
- Confirm classifications match your scope. Outdoor living often involves multiple classifications and licensed subs.
- Confirm Bond + Workers’ Comp dates. Any lapse is a red flag.
- Check discipline / complaint disclosure links. Pending disciplinary action = stop and investigate.
- Screenshot everything. Save it with your contract.
How to Read a CSLB License Detail Page
A CSLB license detail page typically shows (1) Business info, (2) License status, (3) Classifications, (4) Bonding info, (5) Workers’ comp, and often (6) Liability insurance and (7) links for complaint disclosure and history.
Focus on these fields:
- Entity type: individual, corporation, LLC (LLCs can have extra bond requirements).
- Issue/expire dates: watch for expired or soon-to-expire licenses.
- License Status: Active vs Suspended/Expired/Inactive.
- Classifications: what they are licensed to do.
- Bonding Information: contractor bond (and LLC employee/worker bond if applicable).
- Workers’ Compensation: carrier + effective/expiration dates.
- Liability Insurance (if shown): carrier + limits + dates.
- Disciplinary/complaint disclosure links: investigate anything flagged.
CSLB pages also include limitations/disclaimers (for example, complaint disclosure restrictions and potential data lag). Always treat the license detail page as a strong signal, and ask follow-up questions where needed.
License Status: What “Active” vs “Expired/Suspended” Means
For San Diego outdoor living, Active is the baseline. Anything else should stop the process until resolved.
| Status | What It Means (Practical) | What You Do |
|---|---|---|
| Active | Eligible to contract (assuming correct classifications and current bond/comp). | Proceed to checks below. |
| Expired / Inactive | Not eligible to contract at that time. | Do not sign. Require they renew/reactivate first. |
| Suspended | Often due to bond or workers’ comp problems; contracting can be treated as unlicensed. | Stop immediately and verify what is suspended and why. |
| Pending disciplinary action | A formal CSLB action may be underway. | Investigate before proceeding. |
Classifications That Matter for Outdoor Living (San Diego)
Outdoor living often touches multiple trades. Your contractor should either hold the right classifications or use properly licensed subs for those scopes.
| Scope | Common CSLB Classifications | What to Verify |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape / grading / planting | C-27 (Landscaping) | Active license + history of similar outdoor living work. |
| Pavers / interlocking hardscape | C-61/D-6 (Concrete-Related Services) and/or C-8 (Concrete) | Ask how they build the base, compaction, edges, drainage, and provide subsurface proof. |
| Masonry walls / veneer | C-29 (Masonry) | Engineered walls where required; drainage behind walls; permits if needed. |
| Synthetic turf | C-61/D-12 (Synthetic Products) and/or C-27 | Base prep, drainage, seams, and warranty clarity. |
| Electrical / lighting circuits | C-10 (Electrical) (often as a licensed sub) | Verify the electrician’s CSLB license and COIs too. |
| Gas / plumbing for kitchens | C-36 (Plumbing) (often as a licensed sub) | Verify the plumbing/gas contractor license and insurance. |
Bonding: What It Is, What It Isn’t (and Why It Matters)
Every licensed contractor must have a contractor license bond on file with CSLB (currently $25,000). Some entities (like LLCs) may have additional bond requirements.
| Bond Type | Who It Applies To | Why Homeowners Care |
|---|---|---|
| Contractor License Bond ($25,000) | Most CSLB licensees | A basic consumer protection mechanism for certain violations and damages (it is not liability insurance). |
| LLC Employee/Worker Bond ($100,000) | Contractors licensed as LLCs | Additional bond protection related to employee wage/benefit issues; CSLB license pages may show this bond. |
Workers’ Comp: The Fastest “Hidden Risk” to Catch
Workers’ comp coverage must be continuous. If workers’ comp is not maintained, CSLB can suspend the license. Work performed while suspended can be treated as unlicensed.
On the CSLB license detail page, check:
- Carrier name
- Effective date and expiration date
- Any gaps or lapses in history
Discipline, Complaint Disclosure, and CSLB Limitations
CSLB license detail pages may show complaint disclosure links and sometimes flags for pending disciplinary actions. If you see anything like “pending disciplinary action,” treat it seriously and investigate before signing.
Also note: CSLB pages include disclaimers about data limitations (for example, complaint disclosure restrictions and possible database lag). A clean record is a strong positive signal, but not a guarantee.
Home Improvement Salesperson (HIS) Checks (If You’re Being Sold at Home)
If someone is selling you a home improvement project door-to-door or in your home, they may be a Home Improvement Salesperson (HIS). CSLB allows homeowners to verify HIS registration through the same “Check a License” system.
If the salesperson claims to be registered, ask for the registration number and verify it.
Email Script (Copy/Paste) — Request the Verification Packet
Subject: Verification request (CSLB + insurance)
Hi [Name],
Before we move forward, please email:
- Your CSLB license number and business name as it appears on CSLB
- Current general liability COI
- Current workers’ comp COI
- License numbers for key subs (electrical, gas/plumbing, concrete/masonry if applicable)
We’ll be verifying everything through CSLB and keeping it with our records.
Thank you,
[Your Name]
FAQs — CSLB & Contractor Verification
How do I verify a contractor’s CSLB license in California?
Use CSLB’s “Check a License” tool. Enter the license number, open the license detail page, and confirm status is Active, classifications match your scope, and bond/workers’ comp information is current.
Is being “bonded” the same as being insured?
No. A bond is not liability insurance. You want both a current contractor bond and adequate liability insurance coverage.
What if the contractor’s workers’ comp is expired or missing?
That is a major risk signal. CSLB can suspend licenses for workers’ comp lapses. Do not proceed until coverage is active and documented.
Do I need to verify subcontractors too?
Yes. Outdoor living projects often involve electrical and gas/plumbing work, which should be performed by properly licensed and insured trades. Verify key subs through CSLB just like you verify the prime contractor.
Can INSTALL-IT-DIRECT help me interpret what I’m seeing?
Yes. We can help you interpret CSLB records, paperwork, and scope alignment as part of due diligence. For legal advice, consult a construction attorney.
Educational only. Always consult qualified professionals for project-specific questions. CSLB record limitations and disclosures may apply.