California Contractor Insurance

C-39 Roofing Contractor 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-39 license allows

CSLB defines the C-39 Roofing Contractor classification as follows: “A roofing contractor installs products and repairs surfaces that seal, waterproof and weatherproof structures. This work is performed to prevent water or its derivatives, compounds or solids from penetrating such protection and gaining access to material or space beyond. In the course of this work, the contractor examines and/or prepares surfaces and uses the following material: asphaltum, pitch, tar, felt, glass fabric, urethane foam, metal roofing systems, flax, shakes, shingles, roof tile, slate or any other roofing, waterproofing, weatherproofing or membrane material(s) or a combination thereof.” Source: cslb.ca.gov licensing classifications.

C-39 licenses in California by the numbers

As of September 2026, CSLB lists 5,432 current licenses that include C-39. 89% have workers' comp on file, 0% are filed exempt, and 563 were issued in the last 12 months.

Ownership: 32% sole owners, 62% corporations, 6% LLCs. Suspensions today: 172 for workers' comp, 42 for bonds.

California cities with the most active C-39 licenses — CSLB public license file, September 2026.
LicensesWith WC policyExemptNew (12 mo)
Los Angeles17786%0%25
San Jose13692%0%15
Sacramento11792%0%21
San Diego9682%0%8
Fresno9082%0%1
San Francisco7693%0%5
Bakersfield6983%0%3
Riverside6788%0%2
Anaheim6187%0%5
Escondido5788%0%6

Insurance and bonds a C-39 contractor needs

  • $25,000 contractor license bond — required for every active license.
  • Workers' comp — C-39 cannot file a workers' comp exemption: every active license must carry workers' comp or a Certification of Self-Insurance, with or without employees.
  • 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.

Many general liability carriers ask what share of your work is residential vs. commercial, whether you do torch-down or hot work, and the maximum building height you work on. Those three answers usually decide which markets will quote. Completed-operations coverage matters more for roofers than almost any trade, because leak claims arrive long after you are paid.

Get a quote

Asena Capital Insurance Services compares multiple markets for roofing 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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