State contractor board takes 73 enforcement actions in stings on unlicensed work; how to check a license before you hire

California’s Contractors State License Board (CSLB), the state agency that licenses builders and home-repair contractors, took 73 enforcement actions after 39 undercover stings and job-site sweeps, it announced Nov. 2.  California was one of 15 states in the crackdown on unlicensed work, organized by the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies.

What investigators found

In stings in three counties, investigators answered ads and had people bid on construction jobs worth $1,100 to $35,000.  That led to 25 misdemeanor citations to appear in criminal court for unlicensed contracting and illegal advertising, 10 administrative citations and six referrals to district attorneys.  Sweeps in 18 counties included 182 site visits and produced 11 stop-work orders and 19 citations.  The board did not say which counties were involved.

Why it matters:  Unlicensed workers often lack the required workers’ compensation insurance, which can leave homeowners paying for accidents or damage, the board says.  A license is required for any job of $1,000 or more in labor and materials, any job that needs a building permit, or any job that uses employees.

Before you hire

• Look up the contractor on CSLB’s free Check a License tool.
• Get a written contract for any job over $500 in labor and materials, with the contractor’s address and license number.
• Pay no more than 10% of the price or $1,000, whichever is less, as a down payment.  The rare exception is a contractor with a special bond on file, which the license lookup shows.
• You can cancel within three days of signing; the cancellation must be in writing and mailed before midnight on the third day.
• Report suspected unlicensed work at 1-800-321-2752.

Source:  CSLB news release, Nov. 2, 2026 (PDF); CSLB:  What should I look for in a contract?; CSLB Check a License, checked Nov. 10, 2026.