Who requires it
Contractors State License Board (CSLB)
License & permit · California
California Contractor’s Bond
CSLB will not issue, reinstate, reactivate, renew, or leave an active California contractor license in place without a contractor’s bond. Business and Professions Code § 7071.6 fixes the amount at $25,000.
Common bond amount
$25,000
Statutory amount under BPC § 7071.6. Older materials sometimes still cite $15,000—confirm the current statute; the legal requirement is $25,000.
How you file
File the CSLB-approved form (commonly 13B-1); stays in force while licensed
Renewal
Maintain for as long as the license remains active
Who requires it
Anyone getting or keeping an active CSLB contractor license needs this bond. BPC § 7071.6 ties it to issuance, reinstatement, reactivation, renewal, and continued maintenance. Inactive-license treatment differs in the statute—confirm your status with current CSLB rules.
How much is required
Business and Professions Code § 7071.6 establishes the $25,000 amount currently required (in effect since January 1, 2023 under SB 607). You cannot pick a smaller amount. In narrow cases CSLB may demand twice that sum until renewal; follow any board notice that says so.
How to get and file it
Buy the bond from a surety allowed to write CSLB bonds. Match the business name and license or application numbers in CSLB records exactly. Use the CSLB-approved contractor’s bond form (commonly Form 13B-1). Prefer electronic filing with CSLB when your surety offers it. CSLB typically must receive the bond within 90 days of the effective date. Keep it live for as long as the license stays active—a cancel or lapse can cut off licensing authority. Sync bond renewals with license status and keep filing copies.
Cost note
The $25,000 figure is the required bond amount, not the premium you pay. See bond amount vs premium. Bond amount vs premium →
Requirement checklist
- Required amount
- $25,000 under BPC § 7071.6
- Form
- CSLB-approved contractor’s bond form (commonly Form 13B-1)
- Naming
- Business name and license/application number must match CSLB records exactly
- Filing window
- Typically must be received by CSLB within 90 days of the effective date
Related resources
Frequently asked questions
Is $15,000 still the contractors bond amount?
No. Business and Professions Code § 7071.6 requires $25,000. Use that statutory amount—not older $15,000 figures you may still see elsewhere.
Related California bond guides
LLC Employee/Worker Bond
$100,000
CSLB LLC contractors also file a $100,000 employee/worker bond beside the $25,000 contractor’s bond. Business and Professions Code § 7071.6.5 sets that second bond.
Bond of Qualifying Individual
$25,000
Some licenses need a Bond of Qualifying Individual (BQI) on top of the contractor’s bond—typically when an RME or low-ownership RMO/manager/member qualifies the license. BPC § 7071.9 sets the amount at $25,000.
Surety basics (not repeated here)
Universal surety concepts explained once—linked here instead of repeated on every state or bond page.
Continue with a California application
California will be preselected. Choose your bond type in the application—we confirm the correct product against your agency form before anything is issued.
Last verified 2026-08-06. This guide is based on verified educational content and official sources.
Agents Ready to Help
Share your agency checklist or bond form and we will confirm the agency, amount, and filing steps before issuing.
Talk to the pro →