New Jersey to California: general contractor license reciprocity

1. 1Application fee. Pay the application fee ($450). Non-refundable original application fee of $450, covering one classification, payable with the Application for Original Contractor's License whether the application is by examination or by waiver. Adding a second classification on the same original application costs $150..
2. 2License fee. Pay the license or certificate fee ($200). Initial license fee of $200 for a sole owner, or $350 for a non-sole owner, paid after the examination requirements are met and the remaining issuance documents are filed. It buys a two-year license. CSLB's own worked total for one classification is $650 for a sole owner and $800 for a non-sole owner, application fee included..
3. 3Law / code exam. Pass a law, rules, or code exam. CSLB Law and Business examination, administered by PSI Exams. Every original applicant takes it, including anyone holding the NASCLA credential or applying under a named-state agreement..
4. 4Trade exam. Pass the destination's trade exam (if applicable). B General Building trade examination, administered by PSI Exams. It is waived for a qualifying NASCLA holder, but CSLB retains the right to require the trade examination in any case where a waiver is granted. Where it is required, you have 18 months after CSLB accepts the application to pass both examinations; passing scores stay good for five years..
5. 5Exam fee. Pay the exam fee. Rescheduling and re-examination fees are paid directly to PSI each time. CSLB does not publish the amounts on its fee list; they are in the Candidate Information Bulletin PSI sends with the Notice to Schedule an Examination, or ask CSLB on (800) 321-CSLB (2752). NASCLA sets its own fees for its examination and for sharing results..
6. 6Background check. Complete a background check. Mandatory criminal background check by Live Scan fingerprinting after CSLB accepts the application. Paid to the Live Scan operator: $32 to the Department of Justice and $17 to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, plus a rolling fee that each site sets for itself and CSLB does not set..
7. 7Surety bond. Post a surety bond ($25,000). Contractor's bond of $25,000, required by Business and Professions Code section 7071.6 before CSLB can issue an active license. It must be written by a surety licensed through the California Department of Insurance on a form approved by the Attorney General's Office, must name the business exactly as CSLB records it, and must reach CSLB headquarters within 90 days of its effective date. A cashier's check may be filed instead..
8. 8Surety bond. Post a surety bond ($25,000) (if applicable). Bond of Qualifying Individual, $25,000, required by Business and Professions Code section 7071.9 when the license is qualified by a responsible managing employee, or by a responsible managing officer who owns less than 10 percent of the corporation's voting stock. An RMO who owns 10 percent or more files a Bond of Qualifying Individual Exemption Certification instead. Each RME or RMO on a license must comply separately..
9. 9Surety bond. Post a surety bond ($100,000) (if applicable). LLC employee/worker bond of $100,000, required by Business and Professions Code section 7071.6.5 only where the license is held by a limited liability company. It is in addition to the $25,000 contractor bond and protects employees against unpaid wages, interest on wages, fringe benefits and other contributions..
10. 10Insurance. Carry the required insurance ($1,000,000) (if applicable). Liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 cumulative, required by Business and Professions Code section 7071.19 only where the license is held by a limited liability company with five or fewer people listed as personnel of record. Each additional member of the personnel of record adds $100,000, capped at $5,000,000. The policy must be written by an insurer licensed in California or an eligible surplus line insurer..
11. 11Insurance. Carry the required insurance. Workers' compensation insurance, or a certificate of self-insurance from the Department of Industrial Relations, before CSLB will issue or activate the license if the business has employees. A business with no employees files an exemption instead, but CSLB will not accept an exemption where the license is qualified by a responsible managing employee, because an RME is an employee..
12. 12Business license. Obtain a business license. The CSLB license is issued to a business entity: sole owner, partnership, corporation, limited liability company or joint venture. Form or register the entity first, since every officer, member, responsible manager or director must be listed as personnel of record. Cities and counties also require their own business tax registration or business license wherever you work, separately from the CSLB license..
13. 13Other. Certification of Work Experience form for each period of experience claimed, completed by someone with firsthand knowledge of the work, plus the signed and dated statement requesting the NASCLA Commercial General Builders examination waiver and the sealed License Verification Request from your current licensing agency..

Published fees on this path total $650, excluding exam-vendor fees, bonds, and insurance.