CSLB classification · General Building
B General Building Contractor
Builds or remodels structures and takes prime-contract responsibility for at least two unrelated trades, or subcontracts the work. The largest licence class in California and the widest range of operations.
Coverages a producer should expect
- ›Workers' comp, often several classes
- ›General liability with contractual, subcontractor and completed operations
- ›Builder's risk on new construction
- ›Commercial auto
- ›Umbrella once revenue passes a few million
Exposures underwriters ask about
- · Uninsured subcontractors
- · Residential construction defect
- · Height and fall exposure
WCIRB classes usually assigned
- 5403 Carpentry NOC
- 5645 Carpentry, dwellings not exceeding three stories
Governing class depends on actual operations and payroll. Verify with the WCIRB classification search before quoting.
Carriers writing this class
Policies on file, statewide
- State Compensation Insurance Fund13,374
- Pie Insurance Co.2,803
- Insurance Co. Of The West2,109
- Everest Premier Insurance Co.1,917
- Norguard Insurance Co.1,368
- Omaha National Casualty Co.1,337
- American Casualty Co. Of Reading Pa1,197
- Endurance Assurance Corporation1,015
- Technology Insurance Co. Inc854
- Hartford Casualty Insurance Co.749
B workers' comp renewals by month, California
Counties with the most
- Los Angeles County23,176
- Orange County8,911
- San Diego County8,673
- Riverside County5,451
- Santa Clara County4,450
- San Bernardino County4,081
- Sacramento County3,855
- Alameda County3,514
- Contra Costa County3,433
- County3,105
- Ventura County2,562
- San Mateo County2,365
Related classes in General Building
Frequently asked
- What does a B licence allow a contractor to do?
- Builds or remodels structures and takes prime-contract responsibility for at least two unrelated trades, or subcontracts the work. The largest licence class in California and the widest range of operations.
- What insurance does a B contractor need?
- Workers' compensation is required by law once they have employees; the CSLB suspends a licence without it. Beyond that, producers usually place: Workers' comp, often several classes; General liability with contractual, subcontractor and completed operations; Builder's risk on new construction; Commercial auto; Umbrella once revenue passes a few million.
- How many B contractors are there in California?
- 102,776 active licences hold the B classification as of 2026-09-06; 42,039 (41%) have workers' comp on file and 58,609 are exempt.
- When do B workers' comp policies renew?
- 9,816 renew within 90 days. January is the peak month.
- Which WCIRB class codes apply to B work?
- Most often 5403 (Carpentry NOC), 5645 (Carpentry, dwellings not exceeding three stories). The WCIRB assigns the class from the actual operations and payroll, so verify per account in the WCIRB classification search.
Sources: CSLB licence and workers' compensation records, California Secretary of State, OSHA, FMCSA, county permits. Aggregates only; no individual contractor appears on this page. "Active" means a CLEAR licence status. Renewal counts include policies on file with the CSLB expiring in the window. Refreshed weekly; this page as of 2026-09-06. Every field and its source →