Only very small jobs. Under California law, an unlicensed handyman can only take a job if the total for labor and materials is under $1,000 and the work doesn’t need a building permit. Most electrical work, like new circuits, panels, EV chargers and rewiring, needs a permit, so it needs a licensed contractor, typically a C-10 electrical contractor.
The $1,000 Rule
California’s minor work exemption (Business and Professions Code 7048) was raised from $500 to $1,000 effective 2025. The limit is the total for labor and materials on the whole job, and jobs can’t be split up to stay under it. The work also can’t require a permit.
Why That Rules Out Most Electrical Work
New circuits, panel work, EV chargers, sub-panels, rewiring and many outdoor jobs require an electrical permit, no matter how small the price.
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What a C-10 License Means
A C-10 is California’s electrical contractor license, issued by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). It requires experience, exams, a bond and insurance. Ready Electric is a California C-10 licensed electrical contractor, CSLB #1080235.
How to Check a License
Look up the contractor’s license number on the CSLB website. Check that it’s active, that the classification is C-10, and that the bond and workers’ compensation information is current.
The Risks of Unlicensed Electrical Work
Unpermitted work can fail a home inspection, complicate a sale or insurance claim, and may have to be opened up and redone. Most importantly, it can be unsafe.
