California Contractor Insurance

C-46 Solar 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-46 license allows

CSLB defines the C-46 Solar Contractor classification as follows: “A solar contractor installs, modifies, maintains, and repairs thermal and photovoltaic solar energy systems. A licensee classified in this section shall not undertake or perform building or construction trades, crafts, or skills, except when required to install a thermal or photovoltaic solar energy system.” Source: cslb.ca.gov licensing classifications.

C-46 licenses in California by the numbers

As of September 2026, CSLB lists 1,051 current licenses that include C-46. 62% have workers' comp on file, 34% are filed exempt, and 44 were issued in the last 12 months.

Ownership: 28% sole owners, 63% corporations, 8% LLCs. Suspensions today: 13 for workers' comp, 25 for bonds.

California cities with the most active C-46 licenses — CSLB public license file, September 2026.
LicensesWith WC policyExemptNew (12 mo)
San Diego2854%43%1
Fresno2277%23%0
Bakersfield2268%27%2
San Jose1968%21%1
Sacramento1974%26%2
Los Angeles1867%11%0
Riverside1573%13%0
San Francisco1369%31%1
Long Beach1250%50%0
El Cajon1250%25%0

Insurance and bonds a C-46 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.

Solar underwriting asks about residential vs. commercial, roof-mount vs. ground-mount, battery storage, and whether you subcontract the roofing or electrical portions.

Get a quote

Asena Capital Insurance Services compares multiple markets for solar 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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