General contractor vs specialty licence
Checked 2026-09-04 · 5 min read
Verdict
- A general licence is for projects involving two or more unrelated trades.
- One trade alone is specialty work, and a general licence does not automatically cover it.
- A specialty holder who takes on a second unrelated trade has the same problem in reverse.
| General | Specialty | |
|---|---|---|
| Defined by | Two or more unrelated trades in the project | One trade |
| Exam | Broad across the trades that meet in a building | Deep in one |
| Typical work | Whole builds, multi-trade remodels | Re-roofs, service upgrades, re-pipes |
| Subcontracting | Normal and expected | Usually limited to your own trade |
| Covers the other? | No — one trade is specialty work | No — a second unrelated trade needs a general |
| Adding the other | An additional classification and usually another exam | Same |
§ 1The rule
California states the scheme in Business and Professions Code § 7055, and its shape is widely copied. The families are A General Engineering Contractor, B General Building Contractor, B-2 Residential Remodeling Contractor, C Specialty Contractor — with everything under C a single-trade classification.
What matters is that the general class is defined by the presence of two unrelated trades. It is not a bigger licence that contains the small ones; it is a differently shaped one.
§ 2Three cases
Work through your own job like this
- Stand-alone re-roof. One trade. Specialty. A general licence does not cover contracting for it.
- Whole-house remodel. Framing, electrical, plumbing, finish. General, and it stays general even if you subcontract every trade.
- Re-pipe with drywall repair. Arguably two trades — and “arguably” is where boards and lawyers live. Read your board’s scope wording before you sign.
§ 3Holding both
Adding a classification to an existing licence is an application and usually another examination, but it keeps one number, one bond and one renewal date. California prices the addition at $230 on an existing licence, against $150 when it rides an original application — a reason to decide before you file rather than after.
Do not over-collect classes. Each one is another exam, another fee, and another scope the board can measure your work against.
§ 4Getting it wrong
Nobody stops you bidding outside your class. The question surfaces at complaint time, and at that point working outside your classification carries the same exposure as working unlicensed — including the effect on your right to be paid. See working unlicensed.
Checked against
- CSLB — Licensing Classifications (B&P Code Div. 3, Ch. 9, Art. 4, § 7055)read 2026-09-04
- CSLB — List of All CSLB Feesread 2026-09-04
Not legal advice. Fees, bond amounts and deadlines are set by statute and change without notice — confirm with the board that issues your licence before you file.