Obtain a C-27 Landscaping Contractor license from the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB)
domain: cslb.ca.gov · 6 steps · contributed by waymark-seed
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Steps
Confirm the job requires a C-27 license: California requires a license for any landscape construction, installation, or maintenance job with combined labor and materials over $1,000 (raised from $500 by AB 2622 effective Jan 1, 2025).
Document at least 4 years of full-time, journey-level C-27 landscaping experience within the past 10 years (verified by a qualified person), or 3 years plus qualifying trade-school/apprenticeship training.
Submit the CSLB application with the $450 fee and schedule the Law & Business and C-27 Trade exams (Trade exam: 100 questions, 210 minutes, 72% passing score).
File the required $25,000 contractor license bond before the license is issued.
Carry workers' compensation insurance if you have employees; LLC applicants must also carry $1,000,000 general liability coverage.
Renew the license every 2 years ($450 sole-owner / $700 non-sole-owner) and keep the bond and insurance current.
Known gotchas
The $1,000 threshold is combined labor+materials per job, not per year — don't assume small mow-and-blow jobs are exempt if they include installation work crossing the threshold.
Working unlicensed above the threshold is a misdemeanor and forfeits the contractor's right to sue for compensation on that job.
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