Solar Contractor Licensing

July 18, 2020

Summary

The California Contractors State License Board administers contractor licenses. The C-46 Solar Contractor license covers active solar water and space heating systems, solar pool heating systems, and photovoltaic systems. C-46 requirements include four years of experience and passing the business and law exam and the trade exam. Independent license schools offer courses to prepare for license exams.

Other contractor licenses for solar include:

A. General Engineering
B. General Building
C-4. Boiler, Hot Water Heating and Steam Fitting (for solar thermal systems)
C-10. Electrical (for photovoltaics only)
C-20. Warm-Air, HVAC (HVAC systems that utilize solar energy)
C-36. Plumbing (solar thermal systems)
C-53. Swimming Pool (for solar pool heating)

Complete descriptions of the contractor classifications are available here.

The state publishes a guide to becoming a California contractor and a reference book for California license law.

Program Overview

Implementing Sector:	State
Category:	Regulatory Policy
State:	California
Incentive Type:	Solar/Wind Contractor Licensing
Web Site:	http://www.cslb.ca.gov/About_Us/Library/Licensing_Classifications/
Administrator:
Start Date:
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies:	Solar - Passive Solar Water Heat Solar Space Heat Solar Thermal Electric Solar Thermal Process Heat Solar Photovoltaics Solar Pool Heating

Contact

Name:	Information Technician - CSLB
Organization:	California Contractors State License Board
Address:	9821 Business Park Drive Sacramento CA 95826
Phone:	(916) 255-3900

This information is sourced from DSIRE; the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University.