Plumbing Contractor Permit Requirements in Los Angeles, CA

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source for EIN (Employer Identification Number) (opens in a new tab)

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. California C-36 Plumbing Contractor License

   Required to contract for plumbing work in California. Issued by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). Applicants must pass a trade exam and law/business exam, have at least 4 years of journey-level experience, and provide proof of a $25,000 contractor's bond and workers' compensation insurance.

   Official government source for California C-36 Plumbing Contractor License (opens in a new tab)

   $450 original application fee + $200 initial license fee (sole owner; $350 non-sole owner) — CSLB fee schedule·3–6 months (application review, exam scheduling)

   $450 original application fee + $200 initial license fee (sole owner; $350 non-sole owner) — CSLB fee schedule

   3–6 months (application review, exam scheduling)

2. California Contractor's Bond ($25,000)

   All licensed contractors in California must maintain a $25,000 surety bond filed with the CSLB. The bond is required for initial licensure and must be kept current for license renewal.

   Official government source for California Contractor's Bond ($25,000) (opens in a new tab)

   $100–$300/year (bond premium)·1–3 days

   $100–$300/year (bond premium)

   1–3 days

3. California Workers' Compensation Insurance

   Required for all contractors with employees in California. Even sole owners are required to carry workers' comp or file a certification of exemption with the CSLB.

   Official government source for California Workers' Compensation Insurance (opens in a new tab)

   Varies by payroll and classification·1–5 days to obtain policy

   Varies by payroll and classification

   1–5 days to obtain policy

1. City of Los Angeles Business Tax Registration Certificate

   All businesses operating in the City of Los Angeles must register with the Office of Finance for a Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC). Registration is free. The annual business tax is based on gross receipts; businesses with worldwide gross receipts of $100,000 or less owe $0 under the Small Business Exemption if the annual renewal is filed on time. The first year is not tax-exempt — first-year tax is paid as 'back tax' at the first renewal.

   Official government source for City of Los Angeles Business Tax Registration Certificate (opens in a new tab)

   $0 to register; annual tax gross-receipts-based ($0 if worldwide gross receipts are $100,000 or less and renewal filed on time; Contractors class: $153 on first $60,000 + $1.01 per $1,000 above)·1–5 days

   $0 to register; annual tax gross-receipts-based ($0 if worldwide gross receipts are $100,000 or less and renewal filed on time; Contractors class: $153 on first $60,000 + $1.01 per $1,000 above)

   1–5 days

2. LADBS Permit Requirements for Licensed Contractors

   There is no separate LADBS contractor registration. To pull plumbing permits in the City of Los Angeles, a contractor must hold an active California CSLB C-36 license and a City of Los Angeles Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC); LADBS verifies the state license at permit issuance. Permit fees are per-project.

   Official government source for LADBS Permit Requirements for Licensed Contractors (opens in a new tab)

   No registration fee (permit fees are per-project)·1–2 weeks

   No registration fee (permit fees are per-project)

   1–2 weeks

Official Sources

• California Contractors State License Board — C-36 License
• LA Department of Building and Safety — Contractor Registration
• City of Los Angeles Office of Finance

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