Who can legally paint a house in California?
Interior or exterior painting, staining, and the prep that goes with it.
Check a specific contractor for this job
Their license page will open with this job selected and the verdict shown.
Licensed for this work
C-33 Painting and Decorating is the license for this work.
Licensed, with a condition
A B General Building license may take a single-trade job like this only if the contractor also holds the C-33 or subcontracts the painting to a licensed C-33. Ask who will actually do the work and check their license too. (§7057(b))
Looks like it should cover this — but doesn’t
A B-2 may not take a contract involving fewer than three unrelated trades, and this is one trade. (§7057.5)
Licensed for part of it — not the whole job
Specialty contractors may perform their own trade on this job as subcontractors. Any specialty not listed is in the same position.
Paperhanging only.
Basis: B&P Code §7057(b); B&P Code §7057.5; B&P Code §7058. A California contractor may only contract for work within their classification (B&P Code §7059), with an exception for work incidental and supplemental to their own trade (16 CCR §831). This page reads the classification rules; it is not legal advice and says nothing about quality of work. Confirm with CSLB before signing.