90 Days to Licensed: The Realistic Timeline Breakdown
"How long does it take to get a California contractor license?"
Ask ten people and you'll get ten different answers. The CSLB's website is vague. Online forums are full of stories ranging from six weeks to six months.
Here's the truth: If you do everything right, you can be licensed in 90 days. Most people take 3-6 months because they don't know what to expect.
This post breaks down the entire timeline week by week, so you know exactly what's happening and when.
The Three Scenarios
Best Case
WEEKS
- Perfect application
- Pass both exams first try
- Bond/insurance ready immediately
- No delays
Typical Case
WEEKS
- Minor application corrections
- Pass exams (possibly retake one)
- Normal processing times
- Small delays
Worst Case
WEEKS
- Application rejected/resubmitted
- Fail exams multiple times
- Experience verification issues
- Major delays
Let's walk through the realistic timeline assuming you're doing things correctly but not perfectly. This is the 90-day path.
The Week-by-Week Timeline
From Application to License: The 90-Day Journey
Prepare & Submit Application
- Gather all required documents
- Complete application forms (Form 13A-14)
- Get experience verification signatures (Form 13A-3)
- Double-check everything
- Mail application with $450 fee via certified mail
Pro Tip: Most people rush this and make mistakes. Take the full two weeks to get it right.
CSLB Receives & Reviews Application
- CSLB acknowledges receipt (you get a letter with your application number)
- Initial review of completeness
- Background check initiated
- Experience verification begins (CSLB calls your verifiers)
What You Do: Schedule your Live Scan fingerprinting as soon as you get the instructions
Receive Exam Scheduling Notice
- CSLB mails your "Notice to Appear for Examination"
- You get authorization to schedule exams with PSI
- Schedule your exam date(s) IMMEDIATELY (testing centers fill up fast)
- Begin intensive exam prep if you haven't already
Critical: Book your exam date within 24 hours of receiving this notice. Waiting can push you back weeks.
Study & Take Exams
- Final exam preparation (40-60 hours total study time recommended)
- Take Law & Business exam
- Take Trade exam (same day or 2-3 weeks later)
- Receive immediate pass/fail notification
If you fail an exam, you must wait 3 weeks to retake it. This adds at least a month to your timeline.
Post-Exam Processing
- CSLB receives your exam results (1-2 weeks after passing)
- CSLB mails you the "Bond and Fee Letter"
- This letter tells you exactly what bonds and insurance you need
Start researching bond providers and insurance carriers NOW so you're ready when this letter arrives.
Obtain Bond & Insurance
- Apply for $25,000 contractor's bond (takes 1-3 days)
- Get additional bonds if required (Bond of Qualifying Individual, LLC bond, etc.)
- Obtain Workers' Compensation insurance OR file exemption
- Bond company files bonds electronically with CSLB
Good credit = cheaper bonds. Shop around—prices vary wildly between surety companies.
Complete Asbestos Exam & Pay Final Fee
- Complete the asbestos open book examination (required for all contractors, takes 30 minutes)
- Submit asbestos exam to CSLB
- Pay final $200 license fee
- CSLB does final review of all requirements
You have 90 days from receiving the Bond & Fee letter to complete everything. Don't wait!
License Issuance
- CSLB reviews and approves everything (takes 1-3 weeks)
- Your license is issued!
- License certificate and pocket card mailed to your business address
- Your license appears in the online CSLB database
🎉 Congratulations! You're officially a licensed California contractor.
Where Things Go Wrong: Common Delays
Delays That Add 2-4 Weeks
- Testing center availability: Not booking your exam immediately can push you back 3-6 weeks
- Incomplete application: Missing signatures or documents require resubmission
- Slow bond company: Some sureties take a week to file your bond
- Waiting to get insurance: Workers' comp quotes can take several days
Delays That Add 1-3 Months
- Failed exam: 3-week wait to retake, plus rescheduling delays
- Experience verification issues: If the CSLB can't reach your verifiers, you need to resubmit with new verifiers
- Application rejection: Fixing and resubmitting takes 4-8 weeks
- Formal investigation: If something in your background triggers an investigation, add 2-3 months
Delays That Add 3+ Months
- Multiple exam failures: Each retake adds 3+ weeks. Fail three times and you start over completely
- Criminal history complications: Requires additional documentation and review
- License law violations: If you've worked unlicensed or violated contractor law, expect major delays or denial
- Out-of-state license issues: If you had license problems in another state, CSLB investigates thoroughly
Want to Hit the 90-Day Timeline?
Our clients average 10-12 weeks from application to license because we help them avoid every common delay. Let us guide you through the process.
Get Started See Our ServicesHow to Stay On Track: Your Action Checklist
Before You Apply:
- Confirm you have 4 years of verifiable journey-level experience
- Call all experience verifiers to confirm they'll answer CSLB's call
- Gather all business entity documents if applying as corp/LLC
- Check CSLB website for current forms (they change periodically)
Week 1-2 (Application Submission):
- Use our application checklist from a previous blog post
- Triple-check every signature, date, and required field
- Mail via certified mail with return receipt
- Make copies of EVERYTHING
Week 3-4 (Waiting for Exam Notice):
- Complete Live Scan fingerprinting within 10 days of receiving instructions
- Begin studying for exams (don't wait for scheduling notice)
- Research PSI testing center locations and availability
- Start shopping for bonds (get pre-qualified)
Week 5-6 (Exam Scheduling):
- Book exam date within 24 hours of receiving authorization
- Choose a date that gives you 2-3 weeks to study
- Consider taking exams separately if not confident about both
Week 7-8 (Exam Preparation):
- Study minimum 40 hours total (60+ hours recommended)
- Take multiple practice exams
- Focus on weak areas
- Get good sleep before exam day
Week 9-11 (Post-Exam):
- As soon as you pass, start bond applications
- Don't wait for the Bond & Fee letter—you know you'll need the $25K bond
- Get workers' comp quotes or prepare exemption paperwork
- Download and complete asbestos examination
Week 12-14 (Final Push):
- Submit everything the day you receive Bond & Fee letter
- Follow up with CSLB if you don't see license issued within 3 weeks
- Check online database daily once everything is submitted
Pro Tip: The single biggest factor in timeline is how quickly YOU act at each step. The CSLB's processing times are fairly consistent. The variable is you. Act fast at every stage.
What If You Need It Faster?
Can you rush the process? Not really. The CSLB doesn't offer expedited processing. But you can minimize delays:
- Submit a perfect application - No corrections needed = no delays
- Be ready for fingerprinting immediately - Do it the day after receiving instructions
- Book your exam the second you can - Don't let testing center availability delay you
- Study before you get scheduling notice - Be ready to test within a week
- Have bond pre-approved - Apply before you even pass the exam
- Get insurance quotes early - Know who you'll use before you need it
With perfect execution, 6 weeks is possible. With good execution, 8-10 weeks is realistic. With average execution, 12-14 weeks is normal.
What If You're Already Behind Schedule?
If you've been in the process for more than 14 weeks and aren't licensed yet, something went wrong. Here's how to get back on track:
If you're waiting on exam results: They should arrive within 2 weeks of passing. Call CSLB to confirm they received them.
If you're waiting on experience verification: Call CSLB to check the status. They may be unable to reach your verifiers.
If you submitted bond/insurance weeks ago: Check with your bond company that they actually filed it. Then call CSLB to confirm receipt.
If nothing seems to be moving: Call CSLB at (800) 321-2752. Ask to speak with someone about your specific application. Get a timeline.
Remember: The CSLB processes thousands of applications. Yours isn't special to them. But if something is truly stuck, a phone call often gets it moving again. Be polite but persistent.
The Finish Line
When everything is submitted and approved, you'll receive:
- A license certificate (suitable for framing or displaying in your office)
- A pocket license card (carry this with you—some jurisdictions require it)
- Your license number will appear in the CSLB online database
From that moment, you can legally bid on and perform work as a licensed contractor in California.
The average timeline across all our clients: 10-12 weeks. That's faster than the industry average of 16-20 weeks.
The difference? They followed the timeline. They acted quickly at each step. They submitted correct applications. They passed their exams on the first try.
90 days is realistic if you do it right. Start strong, stay on track, finish licensed.