Ing to the California Contractors State License Board, the new threshold to require a license will move up from $500 to $1,000. The change comes from a recently passed law, AB 2622.
You do not need a California handyman license. An unlicensed handyman can perform a wide range of services as long as the scope of work is less than $500 per job (including labor and materials).
AB 2622: Handyman Limit Increase from $500 to $1,000 Updates to AB 2622, approved by Governor Newsom on September 14th, 2024 allow handymen in California to take construction projects totaling up to $1,000. The previous limit for handymen of $500 had not been updated since 2005.
The California construction industry faces a significant change as Assembly Bill 2622 raises the threshold for unlicensed contractor work from $500 to $1,000, effective January 1, 2025.
Any unlicensed contractor that is found working without a license will have to appear in a court of law and face misdemeanor charges that can carry a sentence of up to six months jail time, and/or a fine of up to $5,000.
California has no licensing requirements for handymen. However, your project's total costs will be capped at $500, including combined labor and materials costs. If your project's total costs exceed this amount, you will need a California general contractor license from the Contractors State License Board (CSLB).
Getting your contractor's license with no experience is possible. But first, you will need to pass the CSLB exam. It's important to start building your experience and knowledge through contractor license courses.
As an unlicensed handyman in California, you can perform the following tasks: Fix fences. Repair doors. Hang and patch drywall. Mount televisions. Repair appliances. ceiling fans. Repair faulty toilets.
At the discretion of the court, you may be fined up to $5,000 and/or sentenced to time in jail, not to exceed one year. The city or district attorney's office could seek to impose additional penalties pursuant to the Unfair Business Practices Act (Chapter 4, Business & Professions Code).