Reactivating Your License

First, you must request a reactivation application. There are two ways to request an application:

  • By calling (800) 321-CSLB (2752) or
  • By writing to CSLB's headquarters office:

    Contractors State License Board
    P.O. Box 26000
    Sacramento, CA 95826-0026

You must complete the application and meet the following requirements.

  • Meet all bond requirements including any disciplinary bonds, contractors bond, and bond of qualifying individual or exemption statement. Attach all required bonds to the application. Do not send bonds separately.
  • Submit proof of workers' compensation insurance, or download and submit the Exemption from Workers' Compensation form.
  • If you have an email address at which you are currently receiving email, you must provide it. (BPC 7083.2) The email provided will not be part of your public license record. CSLB emails important license updates and changes to the law that may affect your license. All emails CSLB sends to the email address you provided are presumed to be received.

Reminder symbol REMEMBER: Contractors who do not have employees working for them are exempt from the requirement for workers' compensation insurance, but they are required to file a certification of this exemption with the Registrar (Business and Professions Code section 7125.1).

  • The application must be signed by all qualifying partners, responsible managing employees, and responsible managing officers. When applying to reactivate the license, the following people must sign for each license type.

    • For a sole ownership license, the owner must sign.
    • For a partnership license, all partners must sign.
    • For a corporation, one corporate officer must sign.
    • For a joint venture license, the qualifying individuals of each entity must sign.

Effective Date of Reactivation

Your reactivated license will be effective the date on which the required fee, acceptable application, and other required documents are received by CSLB.

After your reactivation application has been processed, your license will be active for a full two years from the end of the month in which it was reactivated. See Business and Professions Code section 7076.5 and California Code of Regulations section 867.