California Contractor's License Bond ($25,000)
Required before CSLB will issue, renew or reactivate any contractor's license, including every C-36 plumbing license. Placed with a California-licensed surety and filed with CSLB.
This is the bond amount (penal sum), not your premium. The premium is a fraction of it, set by the surety and quoted before you buy.
Who needs it: Every licensee. It must be in place before CSLB issues an active license, and to renew or reactivate one.
What CSLB requires
- A $25,000 contractor's bond must be on file before CSLB issues an active license, and to reactivate an inactive license or renew an active one (amount set by SB 607, effective January 1, 2023).
- The bond is filed for the benefit of consumers damaged by defective construction or a violation of the license law, and employees owed wages.
- CSLB must receive the bond within 90 days of its effective date; the surety usually files it, electronically for most carriers.
- If the surety cancels, CSLB cancels the bond 30 days after receiving the notice. With no replacement or reinstatement on file by then, the license is suspended and work performed while suspended is unlicensed work.
- A replacement bond must reach CSLB within 90 days of its effective date to keep licensing time continuous. A late bond is accepted retroactively only for circumstances beyond the licensee's control (Form 13B-31).
- A judgment or claim paid on the bond reduces the bond amount and can itself trigger suspension until the bond is restored.
- A cashier's check in the bond amount may be filed with the state in lieu of a bond.
Source: CSLB bond requirements and bond suspension pages, reviewed October 23, 2026. Requirements can change; confirm at cslb.ca.gov.
Questions about this bond
Is $25,000 what I pay?
No. $25,000 is the surety's maximum liability. Your premium is a fraction of that, set by the surety from your credit, license history and the term. It is quoted before you commit, and we don't publish rates because they vary by applicant.
What does the surety check?
Most license bonds are underwritten on the owner's personal credit, the license history and any prior bond claims. A good credit history usually means an instant or same-day quote; a weaker one usually means a higher premium rather than a decline, though approval is never guaranteed.
Do I need to pay back the surety if a claim is paid?
Yes, generally. A bond is a guarantee, not insurance: if the surety pays a valid claim because of your violation, it will seek reimbursement from you under the indemnity agreement you sign when you buy the bond.
I got a cancellation notice. How fast do I need to act?
Immediately. CSLB cancels the bond 30 days after it receives the surety's notice, and the license is suspended if nothing is on file by then. Request a replacement today; use the form below and mention the cancellation date.
Request your contractor bond
Online quoting and purchase through our surety partner is being activated. Until then, a licensed Pembroke producer handles each request personally, usually the same business day. No payment is collected on this page.
Surety bonds are underwritten and issued by surety companies licensed by the California Department of Insurance, placed through Pembroke Insurance Solutions, a licensed insurance agency. Plumbers Pro is a service of Pembroke and is not a surety company. The bond amount (penal sum) is the surety's maximum liability under the bond, not the premium you pay; the premium is set by the surety based on underwriting and is quoted before you buy. Approval is not guaranteed. Bond requirements are set by the Contractors State License Board and can change; verify current requirements at cslb.ca.gov.