Answers › How do I verify a contractor's license in California?
How do I verify a contractor's license in California?
Go to the Contractors State License Board website at cslb.ca.gov, choose Check a License, and search by license number, business name or personal name. The record shows whether the license is active, its classification (a B license is a general building contractor), the contractor's bond and workers' compensation status, and any complaints or disciplinary actions. Oria Builders is CSLB #1029255 and can be looked up the same way.
| Where | cslb.ca.gov → Check a License |
|---|---|
| Search by | License number, business name or personal name |
| General contractor classification | B – General Building Contractor |
| Oria Builders | CSLB #1029255 |
The five things to read on the record
Status. It should say Active. Suspended, expired or inactive licenses cannot legally contract for work over $1,000 in combined labor and materials.
Classification. A B license is a general building contractor, the right license for a remodel, addition or ADU that involves two or more trades. Specialty contractors (C licenses) are limited to their trade. A contractor with only a C-10 electrical license should not be running your kitchen remodel.
Bond. A contractor's bond must be on file. It is a consumer protection fund, not insurance for your project, but its absence is a red flag.
Workers' compensation. Required for any contractor with employees. A contractor claiming to have no employees while bringing a crew to your house is exposing you to liability for injuries.
Complaints and disciplinary actions. Legal actions and citations appear on the record. One resolved complaint over many years is normal; a pattern is not.
Beyond the license
Ask for a certificate of general liability insurance naming you as certificate holder, call two recent references, and read the contract against the CSLB's checklist for home improvement contracts. Oria Builders's license is CSLB #1029255, and the founder, Gilad Segev, is the qualifying individual on it.
Related Questions
Can an unlicensed person do small jobs legally?
Only when the total job, labor and materials combined, is under $1,000 and the work does not need a permit. Anything above that requires a license.
What does bonded mean?
The contractor has a license bond on file with the CSLB, which can compensate consumers for certain violations. It is required for every licensee and is separate from liability insurance.
Is the person on the license the one doing my job?
The qualifying individual on the license is responsible for the work. Ask who will supervise your project day to day and confirm that person's relationship to the license.
Sources
Answered by Gilad Segev — Founder & Licensed General Contractor, Oria Builders (CSLB #1029255). Last updated October 2, 2026.