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How to become a licensed Painting Contractor in California. C-33 Painting and Decorating Specialty License required. Total initial fees: $680-$1,410. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Painting Contractor — PC
Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
41% of data points are verified against official sources. 20 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Yes
License Required
C-33
License Type
Yes
Exam Required
4 years
Experience Required
$25,000
Bonding Required
$680-$1,410
Total Initial Fees
State contractor licensing requirements for painting contractors
VerifiedLicense Required
Yes
License Type
C-33 Painting and Decorating Specialty License
Class: C-33
License Threshold
$500
Exemptions
California requires a contractor license for painting work. Requirements are administered by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). Always verify current requirements directly with the licensing authority.
Experience, Education & Examination Requirements
Mostly verifiedExperience Required
4 Years
4 years of journey-level experience as a painting/decorating tradesperson within the last 10 years
Exam Required
Yes
C-33 trade exam (Painting and Decorating) and law & business exam administered by CSLB
Education
High school diploma or equivalent typically required
California requires passing an examination to obtain a painting contractor license. Exams typically cover trade knowledge, business practices, and state law. All painting contractors working on pre-1978 homes should obtain EPA RRP certification for lead paint safety.
Insurance & Bonding Requirements
Mostly verifiedGeneral Liability
Not required by state (recommended)
Workers' Compensation
Required for all employers; sole proprietors exempt
Surety Bond
Required — $25,000
Insurance requirements vary by state. Even in states that do not mandate insurance for painting contractors, carrying general liability insurance ($1,000,000+ recommended) and workers' compensation insurance is strongly recommended to protect your business and clients. Surety bonds protect consumers if a contractor fails to complete work or meet obligations.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
License Application Fee Application fee for contractor license | $330 |
License Fee License issuance fee | $200 |
Exam Fee Exam administration fee | $80 |
Bond Cost Surety bond face amount (annual premium is typically 1-10% of bond amount) | $25,000 |
Business License Fee General business license/registration fee for California | $70-$800 |
Total Initial Fees Includes application, license, exam, and business license fees. Bond premiums and insurance costs are additional. | $680-$1,410 |
Renewal Requirements & Ongoing Obligations
Mostly verifiedBiennial
Renewal Period
$450
Renewal Fee
Not Required
Continuing Education
Regulatory Board
Painting contractor licenses in California must be renewed biennial. Ensure all insurance and bonding requirements remain current between renewal periods. EPA RRP certification must be renewed every 5 years.
California's C-33 Painting and Decorating license is one of the most well-known specialty contractor licenses. The CSLB requires 4 years of journey-level experience and passing both a trade exam and law/business exam. License is required for any project over $500.
California requires C-33 Painting and Decorating Specialty License for painting contractors.
License is required for projects valued at $500.
EPA Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule certification is required for work on pre-1978 homes that disturbs lead-based paint. This is a federal requirement that applies in all states.
Workers' compensation insurance is required in California: Required for all employers; sole proprietors exempt.
A surety bond of $25,000 is required for contractor licensing.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in California.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Salary
#7 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Painters, Construction and Maintenance (SOC 47-2141)
Entry Level
N/A
25th percentile
Median
$55,800
+21% vs. national avg ($46,080)Experienced
N/A
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
Source: BLS OEWS – Painters, Construction and Maintenance (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2022-2032
Projected Growth
+3%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
N/A
over 10 years
Annual Openings
N/A
per year (avg.)
N/A currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2022-2032 (September 2023)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 6–10 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
6-10 weeks
Estimated processing time
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Accessed 2025-01-15
California requires C-33 Painting and Decorating Specialty License for painting contractors. License is required for projects valued at $500. An examination is required. A surety bond of $25,000 is required. All painting contractors working on pre-1978 homes must obtain EPA RRP certification. Licensing is managed through the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB).
Requirements vary by state and locality. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.