Drywall Contractor Bond Requirements by State
C-9 drywall, C-35 lathing & plastering, and specialty gypsum board installation bonds — verified from state licensing boards
Research Period: May 2026 | Sources: CSLB (CA), Nevada State Contractors Board, Oregon CCB, Washington L&I, New Mexico RLD
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Drywall contractors occupy an unusual licensing position: most states that regulate the trade do so under a broad “specialty contractor” category rather than a dedicated drywall board. That means the bond requirement for a gypsum board installer in California (C-9 classification, $25,000 CSLB bond) differs structurally from Oregon’s residential specialty contractor bond ($20,000), Nevada’s case-by-case determination ($1,000–$500,000), or New Mexico’s flat GS-7 requirement ($10,000).
Separately, California’s C-35 classification (Lathing and Plastering) covers the plaster-and-lath side of the same wall system and carries the identical $25,000 bond requirement. Texas has no statewide drywall contractor license at all — bonding is set by individual cities. And Florida’s Plaster and Lath specialty license requires a surety bond only if the qualifying agent’s business falls below the CILB financial solvency threshold, with a variable bond amount tied to credit score.
This guide maps exactly which states require bonds, which amounts are set by statute versus case-by-case, and what classification name your work falls under in each state’s licensing system.
Gypsum Board / Drywall Installation
Installs gypsum wallboard panels to metal or wood framing, tapes and compounds joints, applies texture coatings, and installs suspended ceiling grid systems made of gypsum board.
Lathing, Plastering & Stucco
Installs metal lath, wood lath, and metal stud systems as bases; applies gypsum plaster, Portland cement stucco, lime plaster, and EIFS systems by trowel or spray — both interior and exterior.
States with Verified Drywall / Specialty Contractor Bond Requirements
California
C-9 Drywall Contractor | C-35 Lathing & Plastering
All CSLB-licensed contractors — regardless of classification — must carry a $25,000 Contractor’s Bond filed with the Contractors State License Board. The C-9 classification covers gypsum wallboard installation, taping, texturing, and nonstructural metal framing. The C-35 classification covers lathing (metal and wood lath, metal studs) and plastering (gypsum, lime, Portland cement stucco, EIFS).
LLC addition: If you operate as an LLC, a separate $100,000 LLC Employee/Worker Bond is required under BPC §7071.6.5 — in addition to the standard contractor bond.
- Statute: BPC §7071.6
- Effective: January 1, 2023 (SB 607 increase from $15,000)
- Filed with: CSLB Headquarters, Sacramento
- Obligee: Consumers & unpaid employees
- Also required: Bond of Qualifying Individual ($25K) if an RME qualifies the license
For deep-dive on California CSLB bond classifications, see our CSLB bond classifications guide or the CSLB license bond guide.
Oregon
Residential Specialty Contractor (CCB endorsement)
Oregon’s Construction Contractors Board (CCB) licenses drywall contractors under the Residential Specialty Contractor endorsement. House Bill 2922 raised Oregon CCB bond amounts effective January 1, 2024, adding $5,000 to each endorsement tier. A residential drywall contractor now needs a $20,000 bond; a residential general contractor carrying drywall work needs $25,000.
Commercial drywall work (office builds, retail, industrial) falls under the Commercial Specialty Contractor Level 1 or Level 2 endorsement — requiring $55,000 or $25,000 respectively depending on project scope.
- Licensing authority: Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB)
- Endorsed as: Residential Specialty Contractor
- Bond effective: January 1, 2024 (HB 2922 increase)
- Commercial Specialty L1: $55,000
- Commercial Specialty L2: $25,000
- Residential Limited: $15,000
Washington
Specialty Contractor Registration — L&I
Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) requires all construction contractors to register with a continuous surety bond. Drywall contractors register as specialty contractors, requiring a $15,000 bond effective July 1, 2024 (up from $6,000). General contractors performing drywall as part of broader scope need the $30,000 bond.
Washington’s bond protects consumers who hire registered contractors for home improvement or commercial projects. The bond is filed with L&I and remains continuous — not annual. Bond cancellation triggers automatic registration suspension.
- Licensing authority: WA Dept. of Labor & Industries (L&I)
- Specialty contractor bond: $15,000
- General contractor bond: $30,000
- Bond type: Continuous (no expiration)
- Increase effective: July 1, 2024
Nevada
C-4 / C-4e (Drywall subclassification) — NSCB
The Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) licenses drywall installers under the C-4 classification (masonry, tile, marble, terrazzo, plastering and lathing), with a C-4e subclassification specifically for gypsum wallboard installation. Unlike most states, Nevada does not publish a fixed bond schedule — the Board sets each contractor’s bond amount individually at license approval under NRS 624.270.
Factors the Board weighs: license monetary limit, financial responsibility, years of experience, and past claim history. A new applicant with a limited ($100,000) monetary license typically receives a bond requirement in the $2,000–$10,000 range. Contractors requesting unlimited monetary licenses may be required to post $50,000+ bonds.
- Licensing authority: Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB)
- Classification: C-4 (general) / C-4e (drywall sub)
- Statute: NRS 624.270
- Bond range: $1,000–$500,000
- Amount set by: Board at license approval
- Alternative: Cash deposit accepted
New Mexico
GS-7 (Drywall & Texture) | GS-30 (Plastering, Stucco, Lath) — RLD
New Mexico’s Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD) Construction Industries Division licenses drywall and plastering work under specific General Specialty (GS) classifications. Both GS-7 (drywall installation and texture) and GS-30 (plastering, stucco, and lathing) require a flat $10,000 bond underwritten by a corporate surety authorized in New Mexico — a straightforward, non-tiered requirement.
The bond is used specifically to address building code violations the contractor caused but failed to correct. Unlike Nevada’s case-by-case approach, New Mexico’s $10,000 applies equally to all applicants at initial licensure and renewal under 14 NMAC 6.3.
- Licensing authority: NM RLD Construction Industries Division
- GS-7 classification: Drywall installation & texture
- GS-30 classification: Plastering, stucco, lathing
- Bond amount: $10,000 (flat, all applicants)
- Regulatory citation: 14 NMAC 6.3
- Bond purpose: Code violation remediation
Maryland
MHIC Home Improvement Contractor License — conditional bond
Maryland’s Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) requires all residential contractors — including drywall installers — to demonstrate financial solvency based on total assets, liabilities, credit history, and net worth. Applicants who meet the solvency guidelines are not required to post a bond. Those who fall below the threshold may post either a $30,000 surety bond or a $100,000 surety bond (amount depends on MHIC determination), filed with the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing under the Maryland Department of Labor.
Source: Maryland Department of Labor — MHIC Licensing
Florida
Plaster & Lath Specialty Contractor — CILB / DBPR
Florida’s Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB/DBPR) offers a voluntary statewide Plaster & Lath Specialty Contractor license under Chapter 489. This license covers applying gypsum plaster, Portland cement coatings, and lathing work. Florida’s bonding is triggered by credit rather than mandated for all: contractors with a FICO below 660 must file a surety bond (amounts vary by Division I vs. II). Additionally, if the qualifying agent is also designated as a Financially Responsible Officer (FRO), Florida Statute §489.1195 requires a separate $100,000 FRO bond.
Purely residential drywall work (not plaster/lath) does not have a separate state license in Florida — it falls under general contractor or home improvement registration depending on project type. See our Florida contractor license bond guide for full detail on the sub-660 bonding thresholds.
Verified Drywall / Specialty Contractor Bond Amounts — Key States
Verified from official state .gov licensing boards. May 2026. Commercial requirements may differ from residential.
| State | Classification | Bond Amount | Licensing Body | Statute / Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | C-9 Drywall Contractor | $25,000 | CSLB | BPC §7071.6 |
| California | C-35 Lathing & Plastering | $25,000 | CSLB | BPC §7071.6 |
| Oregon | Residential Specialty Contractor | $20,000 | Oregon CCB | HB 2922 (eff. 1/1/2024) |
| Oregon | Commercial Specialty L1 | $55,000 | Oregon CCB | HB 2922 (eff. 1/1/2024) |
| Oregon | Commercial Specialty L2 | $25,000 | Oregon CCB | HB 2922 (eff. 1/1/2024) |
| Washington | Specialty Contractor (drywall) | $15,000 | WA L&I | RCW 18.27 (eff. 7/1/2024) |
| Washington | General Contractor | $30,000 | WA L&I | RCW 18.27 (eff. 7/1/2024) |
| Nevada | C-4e Drywall (subclass) | $1,000–$500,000 | NSCB | NRS 624.270 |
| New Mexico | GS-7 (Drywall & Texture) | $10,000 | NM RLD / CID | 14 NMAC 6.3 |
| New Mexico | GS-30 (Plastering/Stucco/Lath) | $10,000 | NM RLD / CID | 14 NMAC 6.3 |
| Maryland | MHIC Home Improvement (conditional) | $30,000 or $100,000 | MD Dept. of Labor (MHIC) | MD Labor & Employment Art. |
Bond amounts verified from .gov sources as of May 2026. Nevada amount is set per-applicant by the NSCB board at license approval — the range reflects statutory minimum and maximum.
A significant portion of the country has no statewide contractor bond specific to drywall work. That doesn’t mean bonding never applies — it means the requirement lives at a different level of government or isn’t a bond at all.
Texas — Municipal-Only
The TDLR does not license or bond drywall contractors at the state level. Bonding requirements, if any, are set by individual cities and counties. Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio each have their own contractor registration systems, some requiring bonds, some not. See our Houston contractor bond guide and Dallas contractor bond guide for city-level specifics.
Arizona — Volume-Tiered, Not Trade-Specific
Arizona ROC licenses drywall under C-10 (commercial) and R-10 (residential drywall) classifications but sets bond amounts based on annual gross volume — not a fixed number. The ROC bond schedule applies across all license types. A small drywall subcontractor doing under $250,000/year may need as little as $2,500; a mid-size firm doing $1M+ may need $15,000 or more.
Many Eastern States — Local Only
States like Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Michigan do not license specialty contractors (including drywall) at the state level. All bonding is municipal or county-based. Contractors working across multiple cities in these states may need separate bonds for each jurisdiction.
A $25,000 California CSLB bond doesn’t cost $25,000 — it costs a premium, which is a small percentage of the face amount. For drywall contractors with good credit (700+ FICO), that California bond typically runs $125–$500/year. A Washington state specialty contractor bond at $15,000 with good credit runs $75–$300/year. The premium multiplies dramatically when credit is poor.
California C-9 / C-35 Drywall Bond Cost by Credit Score ($25,000 bond)
Based on a $25,000 bond amount
- Excellent (720+)Rate: 0.5%–2%$125–$500/yr
- Good (650–719)Rate: 2%–5%$500–$1,250/yr
- Fair (600–649)Rate: 5%–10%$1,250–$2,500/yr
- Poor (<600)Rate: 10%–15%$2,500–$3,750/yr
Rates from Treasury-certified carriers as of May 2026. Actual premium depends on carrier, business financials, and claim history. Source: BuySuretyBonds.com carrier data.
Real Premium Benchmarks by State
| State (Bond Amount) | Good Credit (2%–3%) | Fair Credit (7%–8%) |
|---|---|---|
| CA ($25,000) | $500–$750/yr | $1,750–$2,000/yr |
| OR Res. Spec. ($20,000) | $400–$600/yr | $1,400–$1,600/yr |
| WA Spec. ($15,000) | $300–$450/yr | $1,050–$1,200/yr |
| NM ($10,000) | $200–$300/yr | $700–$800/yr |
Factors Beyond Credit That Move Your Rate
- Prior bond claims: Any paid claim triggers high-risk classification — rate jumps to 10%+
- Years in business: Under 2 years adds 1%–2% regardless of credit score
- Bankruptcy within 7 years: 5%–10% surcharge; some carriers decline outright
- Outstanding tax liens: Must be resolved or on payment plan before most carriers will approve
- Multi-state operations: Each state’s bond is a separate premium — no multi-state discount
For a full breakdown of factors by credit tier, see our contractor license bond cost by state guide and the surety bond cost guide.
Most drywall contractors who call our office aren’t confused about whether they need a bond — they’ve already been told by the licensing board. The friction happens at three specific points that don’t show up in the state’s written requirements.
1. The Classification Mismatch Problem
In California, we regularly see drywall contractors who obtained a C-9 bond and then took on an exterior stucco contract — work that technically requires a C-35 license. The C-9 bond does not cover C-35 scope. A claim filed by a property owner for faulty exterior stucco on a C-9-only contractor gets denied by the surety because the license classification doesn’t authorize the work. If you do both interior gypsum board and exterior stucco/EIFS, you need both a C-9 and a C-35 — and two separate $25,000 bonds.
2. Nevada’s Board Meeting Timing
Because Nevada sets bond amounts at a board meeting rather than via a published schedule, new applicants sometimes get their approval letter with a bond amount they weren’t expecting — we’ve seen first-time C-4e applicants get assigned $15,000 when they budgeted for $2,000. The surcharge is tied to the monetary limit they requested on their application. If you apply for an unlimited monetary license in Nevada, plan for a bond amount well above the $10,000–$15,000 range. Applying for a limited license first, building a track record, and expanding later is typically the lower-cost path.
3. Oregon’s Endorsement Tier Confusion After the 2024 Increase
The January 2024 Oregon CCB bond increase caught a significant number of drywall subcontractors flat-footed. A contractor who renewed in December 2023 at the old $15,000 level came up for renewal in December 2024 needing a $20,000 bond — and the renewal notice didn’t prominently flag the change. Some carriers automatically updated the bond to the new amount; others did not. Contractors who didn’t catch the discrepancy risked operating on an insufficient bond during the gap period. If you’re an Oregon CCB licensee, verify your current bond amount against the post-January 2024 schedule before your next renewal.
— Eric Drummond, Licensed Surety Producer, BuySuretyBonds.com | Full profile →
Does a drywall subcontractor need the same bond as a general contractor?
No. In states that distinguish specialty and general contractor bonds — California, Washington, Oregon — the specialty (drywall) bond is smaller. California’s $25,000 applies to both C-9 drywall and B general contractor licenses, but Washington charges $15,000 for specialty registration versus $30,000 for general. If you only install drywall and don’t self-perform other trades, you only need the specialty-level bond. For full context on general contractor requirements, see our complete contractor license bond requirements guide.
I already have a performance bond on a job — do I still need a license bond?
Yes. A performance bond covers a specific project; a license bond covers your license. They are completely separate instruments. The license bond stays on file with the state licensing board for the life of your license. The performance bond is project-specific and expires when the project is complete. Most public jobs over $150,000 require a performance bond under the Miller Act — on top of whatever license bond your state requires.
Can I get a drywall contractor bond with a credit score below 600?
Yes, but expect to pay 10%–15% of the bond amount annually, and some carriers will require collateral (CD, savings, real estate equity at 10%–100% of the bond amount). Adding a co-signer with 700+ credit drops the rate dramatically — from 15% to 3%–5% in many cases. For smaller bond amounts ($10,000–$20,000), the dollar impact of poor credit is manageable. On a $25,000 bond, poor credit means paying $2,500–$3,750/year versus $125–$500 for excellent credit. See our surety bond cost guide for detailed credit tier breakdowns.
What happens if my bond lapses while I’m on a job?
In most states, bond lapse triggers automatic license suspension — typically within 30 days of the surety’s cancellation notice to the licensing board. Operating with a suspended license exposes you to unlicensed contractor penalties (up to $5,000/violation in California), project stop-work orders, voidable contracts, and personal liability for work performed during the suspension period. Reinstatement requires a new bond plus late fees and sometimes board review. The simplest protection: set up automatic premium payment with your surety and keep a calendar reminder 45 days before renewal.
Do I need separate bonds for California C-9 and C-35 if I hold both licenses?
Yes. Each CSLB license classification requires its own $25,000 Contractor’s Bond. A contractor holding both C-9 and C-35 must maintain two separate bonds — one per license number. If a Responsible Managing Employee (RME) qualifies both licenses, the RME also needs two separate $25,000 Bonds of Qualifying Individual. However, if you operate as a corporation with multiple classifications under one license number, only one contractor bond is required for the license entity.
Does a drywall contractor bond cover property damage to a homeowner?
Indirectly — and only for violations of licensing law. The license bond is a financial guarantee that you’ll comply with applicable statutes, codes, and your contractual obligations. If you abandon a job, use unlicensed workers, or produce defective work that constitutes a licensing law violation, the homeowner can file a claim against your bond. However, the bond does not function like liability insurance. Physical damage caused by an accident (a worker drops a tool through a floor) is handled by your general liability insurance — not your license bond. Both coverages are typically required. Contractors should carry both a license bond and contractor liability insurance.
State-by-state HVAC license bond requirements. HVAC often requires both an HVAC license bond and a separate refrigerant license bond.
More states require plumbing bonds than drywall bonds — and amounts are typically higher due to public health jurisdiction.
Roofing bonds vary widely — Florida requires only a sub-660 bond, while others require upfront bonds for all applicants.
18 states require state-level electrical contractor bonds ($1,000–$500,000). Compare to drywall requirements in those same states.
Mechanical contractors frequently hold combined licenses covering HVAC and other systems — bonding follows the broadest classification.
Full 50-state guide to GC bond requirements. Drywall contractors who upgrade to GC licensing face different (usually higher) bond amounts.
License bonds don’t automatically renew when your contractor license renews. The bond and the license are two separate instruments on two separate renewal cycles. California CSLB licenses renew every two years; the contractor’s bond typically renews annually. Oregon CCB licenses are biennial; CCB bonds are annual. Washington’s contractor registration is annual, and the bond matches.
The practical risk: a contractor who renews their CSLB license in January but has a bond that expired in October may have been operating on a suspended license for three months — without knowing it. The CSLB typically doesn’t proactively notify contractors of a lapsed bond until the renewal process flags it.
The fix is straightforward: keep your bond on a continuous (automatically renewing) basis with auto-pay. If you miss a renewal, your surety sends a 30-day cancellation notice to the board, your license suspends, and reinstatement requires a new bond plus fees. Our contractor bond renewal guide covers all four scenarios in detail.
Bond vs. License Renewal Calendar
| State | License Renewal | Bond Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| California (CSLB) | Every 2 years | Annual (continuous) |
| Oregon (CCB) | Every 2 years | Annual |
| Washington (L&I) | Annual | Continuous |
| Nevada (NSCB) | Every 2 years | Continuous |
| New Mexico (RLD) | Annual | Annual |
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- CSLB C-9 and C-35 bonds ($25,000) — same-day certificates available
- Oregon CCB bonds — $20,000 residential specialty, $55,000 commercial L1
- Washington L&I specialty contractor bonds ($15,000)
- Soft credit check for quote — no impact on your FICO score
All content is researched from official state and federal sources (.gov) and verified before publication. BuySuretyBonds.com works with Treasury-certified, A-minimum rated surety carriers serving all 50 states.