Verify a demolition contractor's license status using a state licensing board's public lookup, using California's CSLB C-21 classification as the worked example

Steps

1. Confirm the classification required for the scope of work — California requires the C-21 (Building Moving/Demolition Contractor) classification specifically for building demolition and moving operations, distinct from general A/B licenses
2. Use CSLB's 'Check A License' tool (cslb.ca.gov/onlineservices/checklicenseII) to verify the contractor holds an active C-21 license, and review any complaint/disciplinary disclosure shown
3. Confirm the contractor's required $25,000 surety bond is current, since CSLB's public lookup typically surfaces bond and insurance status alongside license standing
4. If the project involves hazardous substance removal in addition to demolition, confirm the contractor holds one of the specific classifications CSLB lists as eligible for hazardous-substance-removal certification (which includes C-21 but also several others) rather than assuming C-21 alone covers hazmat scope
5. For projects outside California, locate the equivalent state licensing board's public verification tool (e.g., Philadelphia L&I's licensed-contractor lookup, or a state contractor licensing board search) rather than assuming CSLB's process or classification codes transfer to other states