Plumbing Contractor Permit Requirements in San Diego, 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. Required for initial licensure and 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. Sole owners must 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 San Diego Business Tax Certificate

   All businesses operating in the City of San Diego must obtain a Business Tax Certificate from the Office of the City Treasurer. It is a tax registration, not a regulatory license. The fee is based on employee count only: $34/year for businesses with 12 or fewer employees, or $125/year plus $5 per employee for 13 or more employees. Every application and renewal adds a $4 state-mandated SB-1186 fee, and beginning July 1, 2025 an annual Minimum Wage Enforcement Fee of $1.47 per employee also applies. Renewed annually.

   Official government source for City of San Diego Business Tax Certificate (opens in a new tab)

   $38/year for most small businesses ($34 business tax + $4 SB-1186 fee; 12 or fewer employees); $129/year + $5 and $1.47 per employee for 13+ employees·1–5 days (online application)

   $38/year for most small businesses ($34 business tax + $4 SB-1186 fee; 12 or fewer employees); $129/year + $5 and $1.47 per employee for 13+ employees

   1–5 days (online application)

2. San Diego Development Services — CSLB License Verification (permit issuance)

   There is no separate City of San Diego contractor registration. To pull plumbing permits, a contractor must hold an active California C-36 license (verified by Development Services at permit issuance) and a City of San Diego Business Tax Certificate. No separate city plumbing license exists. Formal Contractor and Subcontractor Verification applies only to large projects (20 or more dwelling units, or 20,000+ sq ft of tenant improvements/new floor area).

   Official government source for San Diego Development Services — CSLB License Verification (permit issuance) (opens in a new tab)

   No fee beyond permit fees and the Business Tax Certificate·1–3 days

   No fee beyond permit fees and the Business Tax Certificate

   1–3 days

Official Sources

• California Contractors State License Board — C-36 License
• City of San Diego Development Services

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