California C-29 Masonry Contractor License Requirements (2026)

The California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) issues the C-29 Masonry classification under Business & Professions Code §7026 and CCR Title 16 §832.29. C-29 covers brick, concrete block, natural and manufactured stone, marble, gypsum partition tile, and glazed structural tile bonded with mortar. Any masonry contracting at $1,000 or more (or any project requiring a permit) requires an active C-29 (or B General Building) license. The qualifying individual must document four years of journey-level masonry experience, pass the Trade and Law/Business exams, post a $25,000 contractor bond, and maintain workers compensation. This page documents the verified path including CalOSHA silica enforcement.

The Licensing Authority

Authority over this credential rests with Contractors State License Board (CSLB), which issues and polices it under California Business & Professions Code §7000 et seq. (Contractors State License Law). The CSLB licenses and regulates contractors in 44 license classifications, investigates consumer complaints, enforces contractor license law, and prosecutes unlicensed activity through administrative, civil, and criminal action.

Official portal: https://www.cslb.ca.gov/
Address: 9821 Business Park Drive, Sacramento, CA 95827 (mailing: P.O. Box 26000, Sacramento, CA 95826)
Phone: (800) 321-CSLB (2752) — in California; (916) 255-3900 — outside California

Baseline Eligibility

Eligibility begins with two baseline checks: the applicant must be 18 or older and must provide a valid Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). No California residency requirement; out-of-state qualifying individuals accepted.

Good moral character

CSLB reviews prior license discipline and criminal history. Convictions substantially related to contracting may bar issuance.

Background investigation

Mandatory FBI fingerprint Live Scan for the qualifying individual and all corporate officers under B&P §7069.

Experience and Education Requirements

The experience bar is 4 years of journey-level (or supervisory) masonry experience within the last 10 years installing brick, CMU, stone, structural masonry, mortar, flashing, weeps, and anchored veneer, and it must be backed by verifiable records — typically payroll, tax, project, or supervisor documentation covering the claimed period.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

CSLB Certification of Work Experience signed by qualified verifiers (licensed contractor, employer, or fellow journeyman)
W-2, 1099, or payroll records covering the qualifying period
Project list with addresses, owner contacts, and dates

Education substitution

Up to three years credit for accredited masonry technology coursework, apprenticeship completion (DAS-registered), or related military training under §7065.

The Licensing Examination

PSI Services LLC under contract to CSLB administers the required examination. Each part below must be passed before the license will issue:

California Law and Business Examination — 115 questions, 210 minutes, passing score 73%
C-29 Masonry Trade Examination — TMS 402/602, CBC Chapter 21, brick, CMU, stone, mortar, anchored veneer, seismic detailing — 100 questions, 210 minutes, passing score 73%

Examination fee: $100 application processing fee plus $60 per exam section to PSI.

Retake policy: Failed sections may be retaken after 21 days with a $60 reschedule fee. Application remains valid for 18 months.

Financial Security and Insurance

Before the license is issued, the applicant must file a $25,000 contractor license surety bond in the form prescribed by the CSLB.

General liability

No state minimum, but CSLB now collects GL data on the application. Most owners require $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation is mandatory under Labor Code §3700 for any C-29 with one or more employees, and exempt-status sole proprietors must file a CSLB exemption. Masonry NCCI 5022 is one of the highest workers comp classes in California.

Additional financial requirements

No financial statement required for C-29; the $25,000 contractor bond plus $25,000 LLC bond (if LLC) replaces the financial responsibility test.

Fee Schedule

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$450
Examination	$120
Initial license	$200
Renewal (every 2 years)	$450

License Renewal

The California C-29 Masonry Contractor — Contractors State License Board must be renewed every 2 years. The fee to renew is presently $450. C-29 licenses renew every two years. Late renewal carries a 50% delinquency fee under §7140.

Continuing education: No CSLB CE requirement, but bond and workers comp must remain current.

Downloadable Asset

2026 California Masonry License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity Map

California grants no NASCLA reciprocity for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Arizona	Trade exam waiver	Bilateral CSLB–AZ ROC waiver for active C-29 holders with 5+ years.
Nevada	Trade exam waiver	Bilateral CSLB–NSCB waiver for active C-29 holders.
Utah	Trade exam waiver	Bilateral CSLB–DOPL waiver for active masonry classifications.

California waives the C-29 trade exam (not the law and business exam) for qualifying individuals with active reciprocal masonry licenses in AZ, NV, and UT.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Masonry license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

The Licensing Roadmap

Document four years of masonry experience. Compile signed Certifications of Work Experience and a project list within the last 10 years.
Submit the CSLB Application for Original Contractors License. File with $450 application fee, experience certifications, and Live Scan request.
Complete Live Scan fingerprinting. Submit FBI/DOJ Live Scan for the qualifying individual and all corporate officers.
Pass the Law and Business exam. Score 73% or better on the 115-question law and business exam at PSI.
Pass the C-29 Masonry trade exam. Score 73% or better on the 100-question trade exam covering CBC Chapter 21 and TMS 402.
Post the $25,000 contractor bond and pay initial fee. File the bond, $200 initial license fee, workers comp certificate or exemption, and (LLC only) the $25,000 LLC employee bond plus $1M LLC liability.
Receive C-29 license number. CSLB issues the license; it must appear on every contract over $200, advertising, and bid per §7030.
Implement CalOSHA silica program. CalOSHA enforces 8 CCR 1532.3 (state silica rule mirroring 29 CFR 1926.1153) with mandatory written exposure control plan.

Before Filing: A Checklist

Before submitting to CSLB, the applicant should have each of the following ready:

☐ California Secretary of State entity registration
☐ Live Scan fingerprinting for QI and officers
☐ Certification of Work Experience (4 years verified)
☐ Law and Business exam pass certificate (73%+)
☐ C-29 Masonry trade exam pass certificate (73%+)
☐ $25,000 contractor bond (plus $25,000 LLC bond if LLC)
☐ Workers compensation certificate or exemption
☐ CalOSHA written silica exposure control plan

Common Application Pitfalls

These are the recurring mistakes that most often delay or reject a California Masonry application, based on the official instructions cited here.

Vague experience verifications

CSLB rejects "performed masonry" language. Verifiers must list brick, CMU, stone, anchored veneer, and seismic ties with project addresses or the application is rejected.

Missing the LLC bond

LLC applicants who post only the $25,000 contractor bond without the $25,000 LLC employee bond and $1M LLC liability are denied issuance under B&P §7071.6.5.

Workers comp exemption misuse

Sole proprietors who file an exemption then hire any helper trigger automatic license suspension and a $1,000+ Labor Commissioner penalty.

Anchored veneer ties wrong gauge

CBC Chapter 21 / TMS 402 requires corrosion-resistant ties at 16" o.c. for SDC D/E. Coastal and Bay Area inspectors fail jobs with undersized ties.

CalOSHA silica recordkeeping

8 CCR 1532.3 requires written exposure control plans, medical surveillance for >30 days/year exposure, and air monitoring records. CalOSHA citations average $13,000 per masonry site.

Preparation Resources

The following references are cited by the regulator, used in the application process, or commonly used to prepare for the trade scope. Listed for reader convenience; CLR receives no compensation for these recommendations.

CSLB C-29 Masonry Study Guide — CSLB. Official outline of C-29 trade exam topics.
TMS 402/602 Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures — The Masonry Society. Adopted by reference under California Building Code Chapter 21.
California Building Code Chapter 21 — Masonry — California Building Standards Commission. State-adopted IBC with California amendments — critical for SDC D/E seismic detailing.

Other California Trade Licenses

Looking at a different trade? CLR also publishes these California licensing guides:

Answers to Common Questions

Does California have a dedicated masonry license?

Yes. C-29 Masonry classification issued by the CSLB.

How much experience is required?

Four years of journey-level or supervisory masonry experience within the last 10 years, verified on the CSLB Certification of Work Experience.

How big is the bond?

$25,000 contractor bond. LLCs must additionally post a $25,000 employee bond and carry $1M LLC liability per B&P §7071.6.5.

Is CalOSHA silica different from federal?

CalOSHA enforces 8 CCR 1532.3, which mirrors federal 29 CFR 1926.1153 but with stricter recordkeeping. Written exposure control plan required for cutting, grinding, and mixing masonry.

Can a B General Building license do masonry?

A B license may perform masonry work only when it is part of a project requiring at least two unrelated trades. Standalone masonry work requires the C-29.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-04-16 · Next scheduled review 2026-07-15