C-10 Electrical License and Insurance Requirements

Quick Answer

C-10 Electrical Contractors install, alter, and repair electrical wiring, fixtures, and equipment in California. Required: active CSLB license, WC under SB 216 (Class 5190 — $2.50–$7/$100), $25K license bond, and GL ($1M/$2M minimum). Total annual insurance for a small crew: $6,000–$15,000. Call (858) 925-9555.

What C-10 Covers

• Electrical wiring (residential and commercial)
• Fixtures and equipment installation
• Service upgrades
• Some solar interconnect work
• Low-voltage and high-voltage as the license scope allows

Mandatory Insurance

• WC (mandatory under SB 216 for most operations)
• $25K license bond
• GL ($1M/$2M minimum required by most GCs)

Risk Profile

• Arc flash — high-voltage incidents cause severe burns and electrocution
• Completed operations — wiring errors discovered months later cause fires
• Fall risk — overhead work in attics and on lifts

A common gap: standard GL excludes design errors. C-10s doing design-build need Professional Liability/E&O — see our E&O guide.

Cost Snapshot

Coverage	Annual range
WC (Class 5190, $200K payroll)	$5,000 – $14,000
GL ($1M/$2M)	$1,500 – $3,500
Commercial Auto	$1,500 – $3,000
Tools & Equipment	$500 – $1,200
License bond	$200 – $500
Total	$8,700 – $22,200

2026 estimates.

Related: Insurance for Electricians California · Workers' Comp Class Codes · E&O Insurance