The CSLB & Limited Specialty Contractors
What is a C-61 Limited Specialty License Classification?
D-3 Awnings Contractor
D-4 - Central Vacuum Systems
D-6 - Concrete Related Services
D-9 - Drilling, Blasting, and Oil Field Work
D-10 - Elevated Floors
D-12 - Synthetic Products
D-16 - Hardware, Locks and Safes
D-21 - Machinery and Pumps
D24 - Metal Products
D-28 - Doors, Gates and Activating Devices
D-29 - Paperhanging
D-30 - Pile Driving and Pressure Foundation Jacking
D-31 - Pole Installation and Maintenance
D-34 - Prefabricated Equipment
D-35 - Pool and Spa Maintenance
D-38 - Sand and Water Blasting
D-39 - Scaffolding
D-40 - Service Station Equipment and Maintenance
D-41 - Siding and Decking
D-42 - Non-Electrical Sign Installation
D-49 - Tree Service
D-50 - Suspended Ceilings
D-52 - Window Coverings
D-53 - Wood Tanks
D-56 - Trenching Only
D-59 - Hydroseed Spraying
D-62 - Air and Water Balancing
D-63 - Construction Clean-up
D-64 - Non-specialized
D-65 - Weatherization and Energy Conservation
The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is an important agency for overseeing the construction industry and all the contractors in California. They are responsible for ensuring the proper bonding and licensing for California contractors.
C-61 Limited specialty contractors are a category of license as defined by the CSLB. It involves nicher contractor fields that specialize in very specific tasks. This includes for example: sprinklers, tennis court resurfacing etc. C-61 contractors make up only 4% of all the contractors in the state of California. If you feel you might fall into this category, then this guide is for you.
Contractors who fall in the limited specialty contractor classification specialize in a specific field and are limited to performing work in that specific field. The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) has organized the C-61 classifications into different "D" subcategories for administrative tracking purposes. Below is a list of all the specifications that make up the D category.
An awning contractor specializes in the installation, alteration, and repair of various types of awnings and patio covers made from materials like aluminum, metal, and vinyl. These structures may be freestanding or attached to buildings. The awning contractor is well-versed in setting up these functional and aesthetic additions, providing shade and shelter to outdoor spaces, while also enhancing the overall appearance of the property.
A central vacuum systems contractor specializes in the installation, alteration, maintenance, and repair of central vacuum systems, as well as pneumatic tube dispatching systems and any other pipeline that operates on reduced pressure for various purposes. Their expertise lies in setting up and servicing these advanced systems, which provide efficient and convenient solutions for transporting materials or maintaining a clean and dust-free environment.
A contractor specializing in concrete-related services is proficient in installing reusable steel concrete form sections and interlocking precast pavers.
A drilling contractor does core and post-hole drilling, horizontal drilling, and drilling for placement of charges and performing blasting work. Some of their tasks include drilling for site dewatering and oil well drilling. Contractors with this license are not allowed to do water well drilling.
An elevated floors contractor specializes in the installation of elevated computer flooring systems made of wood or metal frames. However, it's important to note that they do not engage in constructing mezzanines.
A synthetic products contractor installs synthetic countertops, wall coverings, bathtub and enamel refinishing, reservoir liners and rodent guards. They also install PVC piping systems for irrigation and drainage.
A hardware, locks, and safes contractor is responsible for the installation, alteration, and repair of power and/or manually operated door and window locks, as well as built-in safes and vaults.
A machinery and pumps contractor specializes in installing, removing, modifying, and repairing various equipment such as pumps, conveyors, cranes, dock levelers, and handicap lifting and assistance equipment. However, it's essential to note that the scope of this license does not cover the construction of buildings or roof structures specifically for this equipment.
A metal products contractor installs, modifies, or repairs the following:
A Doors, gates, and activating device contractor works with all types of residential, commercial, or industrial doors.
A paper-hanging contractor specializes in applying various types of decorative wall coverings, excluding painting or paneling. They work with materials like paper and vinyl goods, cork, burlap, and carpet-type wall coverings.
A pile driving and pressure foundation jacking contractor offers services in pile driving, caisson drilling, and auger work. They also handle the injection of concrete or mortar into foundations for stabilization purposes.
A pole installation and maintenance contractor is responsible for setting up wooden or precast poles to support wiring or cable installations done by others. Additionally, they are involved in installing and maintaining flagpoles.
A contractor specializing in prefabricated products and equipment performs installations of various prefabricated items, including the following:
A pool and spa maintenance contractor is responsible for installing, replacing, or repairing pool motors, pumps, filters, gas heaters, and any above-ground piping associated with pools.
A sand and water blasting contractor utilizes compressed air, along with abrasive materials or water, to cleanse and ready surfaces for a range of protective, decorative, or functional treatments.
A scaffolding contractor is responsible for setting up metal or wooden scaffolding, which includes temporary construction work barricades and sidewalk shelters.
A service station maintenance contractor specializes in the installation, repair, maintenance, and calibration of monitoring equipment for underground fuel storage tanks with a capacity of up to 20,000 gallons. These tanks are typically used for dispensing gasoline, diesel fuel, waste oil, or kerosene. The contractor's responsibilities include installing vapor probes in the backfill areas of the tanks and performing associated calibration work. The contractor is also responsible for testing and fine-tuning leak detection and vapor recovery equipment, which encompasses automatic tank gauges, leak line detectors, vapor recovery lines, and various in-station components.
A siding and decking contractor specializes in the application and installation of various exterior siding materials, such as wood, wood products, vinyl, aluminum, and metal, for both new and existing buildings. Additionally, they are skilled in constructing wooden decks and related handrails. However, it's important to note that their services do not include building or installing any types of covers or enclosures..
A contractor specializing in non-electrical sign installation is responsible for both fabricating and installing various types of signs. The types of signs they handle encompass pole-supported ones.
A tree service contractor is involved in tree pruning, tree removal, limb removal, stump removal, and also participates in buying trees or limbs.
A suspended ceilings contractor specializes in the installation, modification, or repair of various types of suspended ceilings.
A window coverings contractor is responsible for the installation or application of decorative, architectural, and functional window and glass treatment products.
A wood tanks contractor is involved in the construction, repair, and erection of elevated wooden storage tanks and cooling towers. However, their license does not cover working on hot tubs.
A trenching contractor is a specialized contractor whose primary focus is on trenching services for foundations, pipelines, conduits, and related excavation.
A hydroseed spraying contractor applies seeds using liquid media to surfaces that have been prepared or contoured by others, regardless of the surface type.
An air and water balancing contractor is involved in installing devices and performing tasks related to achieving a specified flow of air in all types of existing heating and cooling systems, as well as achieving a specified flow of water in water piping systems.
A construction cleanup contractor is responsible for cleaning up and removing debris resulting from construction projects on building grounds or structures. This includes concrete, dirt, scrap lumber, plaster, drywall, paint, adhesive products from windows, floors, ceramic tile, and bathroom fixtures.
A nonspecialized contractor is involved in installing, modifying, maintaining, and repairing new products and installations that do not fall within any specific section of the specialty contractor classification or defined in any license category.
A weatherization and energy conservation contractor is involved in the installation, removal, modification, repair, and maintenance of energy conservation products.
It is important to note that this license does not include insulation, glazing or heating, ventilation, and air conditioning work.
