California Contractor Insurance

C-9 Drywall 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-9 license allows

CSLB defines the C-9 Drywall Contractor classification as follows: “A drywall contractor lays out and installs gypsum wall board and gypsum wall board assemblies including nonstructural metal framing members, and performs the taping and texturing operations including the application of compounds that adhere to wall board to produce a continuous smooth or textured surface.” Source: cslb.ca.gov licensing classifications.

C-9 licenses in California by the numbers

As of September 2026, CSLB lists 3,135 current licenses that include C-9. 57% have workers' comp on file, 39% are filed exempt, and 199 were issued in the last 12 months.

Ownership: 43% sole owners, 53% corporations, 3% LLCs. Suspensions today: 34 for workers' comp, 125 for bonds.

California cities with the most active C-9 licenses — CSLB public license file, September 2026.
LicensesWith WC policyExemptNew (12 mo)
San Diego8649%47%13
San Jose7163%35%5
Sacramento6853%44%13
Bakersfield6157%34%2
Riverside5260%38%3
Los Angeles5161%29%3
Santa Rosa4963%35%3
Fresno4867%29%2
Chula Vista4040%60%5
Escondido3468%29%3

Insurance and bonds a C-9 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.

Drywall GL pricing depends on tract/production work vs. custom and remodel, residential vs. commercial, and the share of work you subcontract.

Get a quote

Asena Capital Insurance Services compares multiple markets for drywall 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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