California Contractor Insurance

C-12 Earthwork and Paving Contractors License: What It Covers and the Insurance It Needs

Asena Capital Insurance Services — California-licensed insurance brokerage serving contractors statewide. Phone: (858) 925-9555. Email: info@asenainsurance.com.

What a C-12 license allows

CSLB defines the C-12 Earthwork and Paving Contractors classification as follows: “An earthwork and paving contractor digs, moves, and places material forming the surface of the earth, other than water, in such a manner that a cut, fill, excavation, grade, trench, backfill, or tunnel (if incidental thereto) can be executed, including the use of explosives for these purposes. This classification includes the mixing, fabricating and placing of paving and any other surfacing materials.” Source: cslb.ca.gov licensing classifications.

C-12 licenses in California by the numbers

As of September 2026, CSLB lists 2,287 current licenses that include C-12. 58% have workers' comp on file, 38% are filed exempt, and 109 were issued in the last 12 months.

Ownership: 34% sole owners, 56% corporations, 5% LLCs. Suspensions today: 15 for workers' comp, 57 for bonds.

California cities with the most active C-12 licenses — CSLB public license file, September 2026.
LicensesWith WC policyExemptNew (12 mo)
Perris5941%56%0
Bakersfield5252%44%2
San Jose4659%30%2
Riverside3759%35%0
Los Angeles3543%40%2
Fresno3459%35%0
Santa Rosa2969%31%5
San Diego2467%33%1
Vacaville2343%52%0
Sacramento2070%25%3

Insurance and bonds a C-12 contractor needs

  • $25,000 contractor license bond — required for every active license.
  • Workers' comp — A license with employees must carry workers' comp. With no employees you can currently file an exemption; from January 1, 2028 (SB 1455), CSLB will require workers' comp for all active licenses except joint ventures.
  • LLC licenses — liability insurance of at least $1 million (up to $5 million by member count) plus a $100,000 employee/worker bond.
  • General liability and commercial auto — not required by CSLB for most licenses, but required by nearly every GC, owner and public agency contract.

Underwriters look at excavation depth, underground utility work, public vs. private work, and whether you do any demolition or hauling for others.

Get a quote

Asena Capital Insurance Services compares multiple markets for earthwork and paving contractors and requests additional insured endorsements for you when a contract calls for them. Call (858) 925-9555 or request a quote — only your name, phone and email are required. CA License #6008596.

Frequently asked questions

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