California license and certification renewals
Every LicenseLedger guide for California on one page: what each one covers and, where its guide gives them, when it expires or renews and the continuing education it asks for. Open a guide for its fees and how to renew.
California Contractor License Renewal (CSLB)
Last reviewed October 2026
Every active CSLB license (general building "B", plumbing C-36, HVAC C-20, electrical C-10 and the other classifications) renews every two years; inactive licenses, every four. There's no continuing education requirement, which makes it easy to forget until the expiration date has already passed.
- Renews every
- 2 years (active license)
- Continuing education
- None required for a standard contractor license
California Electrician Certification Renewal (DIR)
Last reviewed October 2026
The electrician certification card (separate from a contractor's C-10 license) runs on a three-year cycle. The 32 CE hours have to be finished before the card expires, DIR may not send a reminder, and an expired card can't simply be renewed late: you retake the exam.
- Renews every
- 3 years from the certification's effective date
- Continuing education
- 32 hours from a DIR-approved provider, relevant to the type of certification you're renewing, completed before the card expires
Compare with other states
Electrician license renewal requirements by state: renewal cycles and continuing education from one of these guides, side by side with other states.
Get a reminder before each California renewal is due
Add your licenses, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.
Start free