California Surety Bonds-- The Largest Bond Market in the U.S.
California requires more types of surety bonds than any other state. The CSLB alone oversees 280,000+ active contractor licenses, each backed by a $25,000 bond. Add in notary bonds, DMV dealer bonds, DFPI financial services bonds (including a unique dual-bond requirement for money transmitters), CDI insurance bonds, CDTFA tax bonds, CalGEM environmental bonds, and hundreds of local permit bonds, and California accounts for roughly one in eight surety bonds written nationwide. This guide catalogs every identified bond type with its governing statute, regulatory body, and bond amount -- verified against current California law. See our guide to all state surety bond requirements to compare California with other states.
Get Your California Bond
Fast quotes for CSLB, notary, DMV, DFPI, and all bond types
- Who requires it: The CSLB (contractor license bonds), the DMV (dealers), the Secretary of State (notaries), plus DFPI, CDI and CDTFA for other bonds.
- Amount: $25,000 contractor license bond, $50,000 DMV dealer bond, $15,000 notary bond (Government Code 8212).
- Typical cost (estimate): about 1-3% of the bond amount for applicants with strong credit. The surety sets the final price.
- Timing: We submit complete applications to the carrier promptly; most quotes within one business day.
Bonds California does not require
Some bond types listed online have no basis in any California statute — for example, a “Locksmith Bond” cited under Bus. & Prof. Code § 6980.11, a section that does not appear in any legal database. See the list below, and ask any provider which statute requires a bond before you pay for one.
19 statute citations corrected during this audit
Our research team corrected 19 statute citation errors that appear in competing industry references — for example, escrow agent bonds cited as § 17209 (correct: § 17202) and LLC contractor bonds cited as § 7071.15 (correct: § 7071.6.5(a)). Read our methodology and corrections policy in our Editorial Standards.
Official California Requirements
"A contractor's bond in the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) shall be filed... for the benefit of consumers damaged as a result of defective construction or other license law violations, and for employees who have not been paid wages."California Contractors State License Board • Bus. & Prof. Code § 7071.6
California Bonds by Industry
Every bond category required under California law, organized by industry and regulating agency. If you're new to bonding, our surety bond basics guide explains how they work.
Construction & Contracting
CSLB Contractor License Bond
Required for all active CA contractors. Increased from $15,000 to $25,000 effective January 1, 2023 under SB 607. Must be on an Attorney General-approved form. Protects consumers and employees.
Bond of Qualifying Individual
If the qualifying individual (person who passed the CSLB exam) is not an owner, they must file a separate $25,000 bond. Increased from $12,500 per SB 607. This is in addition to the standard license bond.
Public Works Bonds
Performance and payment bonds required on public works. Payment bond at 100% of contract per Civ. Code § 9554(a). Performance bonds per PCC § 10221 (state) and § 20111 (local). Bid bonds also apply.
Other Construction-Related Bonds:
Motor Vehicle (DMV)
Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond (Retail)
Required for all licensed motor vehicle dealers in California. Protects consumers against dealer fraud and title transfer failures.
Motor Vehicle Ownership Bond (Bonded Title)
When a vehicle has no title or a defective title, the DMV may require a surety bond equal to the vehicle's fair market value to obtain a bonded title.
Autonomous Vehicle Manufacturer Bond
One of the largest single-obligation surety bonds required by any state. Required for manufacturers testing driverless autonomous vehicles on California public roads.
Financial Services (DFPI)
The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) oversees California's financial services bonds. These are license bonds required before a company can operate in the state. The California mortgage broker bond is among the most common — estimate yours with our mortgage broker bond calculator. Freight brokers operating in California file the federal $75,000 BMC-84 bond (CA freight broker calculator).
Finance Lender/Broker (CFL)
Tiered by portfolio: ≤$1M: $25K | $1M-$50M: $50K | $50M-$500M: $100K | $500M+: $200K
Money Transmitter (TWO BONDS)
Warning: Two separate bonds may be required if doing both activities.
Payment instruments: $500K-$2M
Money received: $250K-$7M
CRMLA Bond
$50,000 minimum (may increase to $100,000 depending on volume)
Escrow Agent Bond
$25,000 minimum (tiered: +$5,000 per branch location)
Check Seller Bond
$500,000 minimum
Prorater (Bill Payer) Bond
$25,000 minimum
Deferred Deposit (Payday) Bond
$25,000
Student Loan Servicer Bond
$25,000 minimum
Debt Collector Bond
$25,000
Insurance (CDI)
Required by the California Department of Insurance for insurance professionals and adjusters. These are a type of license bond. If a claim is filed, the surety investigates and pays valid claims up to the bond amount.
CDI-Filed Bonds
Note: We don’t serve the bail bond industry — that includes California bail agent licensing bonds (Ins. Code § 1800), bail permittee bonds, and criminal bail bonds themselves.
Professional & Occupational
Notary Public Bond
$15,000, filed with Secretary of State, 4-year commission
Immigration Consultant
$100,000. Filed using SOS Form SF-SB-460.
Car Wash Bond
$150,000 standard ($15,000 with CBA)
Auctioneer Bond
$20,000, filed with Secretary of State
Cemetery Broker Bond
$10,000
Employment Agency Bond
$3,000, filed with SOS
Commercial Fundraiser
$25,000
Discount Buying Organization
$20,000, filed with SOS
Pharmacy Wholesaler
$100,000 (or $25K if ≤$10M gross)
Seller of Travel
Variable (equals trust obligation)
Household Mover Bond
$15,000
Nurses' Registry Bond
$10,000
Tax Bonds (CDTFA)
Formula-based bonds administered by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Amounts scale with taxpayer liability. These fall under the broader category of commercial surety bonds.
Sales and Use Tax Bond
CDTFA-determined, typically $2,500-$50,000+ based on projected sales tax liability.
Cigarette/Tobacco Bond
CDTFA-determined based on volume and estimated tax liability.
Fuel Tax Bond
CDTFA-determined based on monthly fuel volumes and tax liability.
Cannabis Excise Tax Bond
$5,000 minimum per license. Jointly administered by DCC and CDTFA.
Environmental Bonds
Oil and Gas Well Bonds (CalGEM)
Pub. Res. Code §§ 3204-3205. AB 1167 (2024) increased individual well bond amounts for deeper wells.
Other Environmental Bonds
Court & Judicial Bonds
Litigation Bonds
Estate & Fiduciary Bonds
Public Official Bonds
California county officials are required to post surety bonds before taking office. Amounts vary by position and are typically set by statute or by the board of supervisors.
County Treasurer
10% of estimated collections
District Attorney
$5,000
County Superintendent of Schools
$25,000
Other County Officers
Clerk/Recorder, Sheriff, Assessor, Auditor, Tax Collector: set by board of supervisors
Bonds That Do NOT Exist in California
Some compliance services and aggregator websites list bonds that California does not actually require. Before paying for a bond, verify it against the actual statute. Here are the most common errors we see.
Understanding California's CSLB Bond System
Every active California contractor license must have a $25,000 bond on file with the CSLB. If you are new to bonding, our guide on what a surety bond is explains the basics, our CSLB license bond guide and classification breakdown cover the details, and our CSLB bond cost calculator can estimate your premium. Here is what contractors need to know.
Bond Filing Rules
When You Need a Bond
- Initial license application -- bond must be in place before CSLB issues the license
- License renewal -- bond must be current to renew an active license
- Reactivation -- reactivating an inactive license requires a new bond filing
- Name or entity change -- a new bond must reflect the updated business information
- Disciplinary action -- CSLB may require an additional $25,000-$150,000 disciplinary bond (Registrar-determined per B&P Code § 7071.8)
California CSLB Bond Cost by Credit Score
Based on a $25,000 bond amount
- Excellent (750+)Rate: 1–1.5%$250 – $375/yr
- Good (700–749)Rate: 1.5–2.5%$375 – $625/yr
- Fair (650–699)Rate: 2.5–4%$625 – $1,000/yr
- Below Average (600–649)Rate: 4–7%$1,000 – $1,750/yr
- Poor (Below 600)Rate: 5–10%$1,250 – $2,500/yr
Estimates based on CSLB-accepted surety rates. Actual premium depends on full application review. All credit levels reviewed. Rate quoted is percentage of the $25,000 bond amount per year.
Bond of Qualifying Individual: If the qualifying individual (the person who took the CSLB exam) is not an owner of the business, they must also file a separate $25,000 Bond of Qualifying Individual under B&P Code § 7071.9 (increased from $12,500 per SB 607). This is in addition to the standard contractor license bond. LLC contractors must also post a separate $100,000 Employee/Worker Bond under § 7071.6.5(a). Contractors on probation may face a $25,000–$150,000 disciplinary bond.
How to Get Your California Surety Bond
Specify Your Bond
Tell us your bond type and the agency that requires it -- CSLB, DMV, DFPI, CDI, CDTFA, CalGEM, SOS, or court. Provide your business details and we match you with the right surety carrier. CSLB bonds, notary bonds, and most license bonds can be quoted quickly.
Get Approved
We work with multiple Treasury-listed sureties licensed by the California Department of Insurance. Most bonds are submitted promptly. Many notary and small license bonds don’t require a credit check.
Download & File
Receive your bond on the correct state-approved form. We can file directly with the CSLB, Secretary of State, DMV, DFPI, CDI, CDTFA, or the appropriate court on your behalf.
California Bond Quick Reference
Every major bond type, amount, statute, and filing agency -- all verified against current California law
| Bond Type | Amount | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Contractor License Bond | $25,000 | B&P Code § 7071.6 |
| Bond of Qualifying Individual | $25,000 | B&P Code § 7071.9 |
| Disciplinary Bond | $25,000-$150,000 | B&P Code § 7071.8 |
| LLC Contractor Employee/Worker Bond | $100,000 | B&P Code § 7071.6.5(a) |
| Public Works Payment Bond | 100% of contract | Civ. Code § 9554(a) |
| Public Works Performance Bond | 100% of contract | PCC §§ 10221, 20111 |
| Mechanic’s Lien Release Bond | 125% of lien | Civ. Code § 8424 |
| Motor Vehicle Dealer (Retail) | $50,000 | Veh. Code § 11710 |
| Wholesale-Only Dealer | $10,000 | Veh. Code § 11710.1 |
| Vehicle Verifier Bond | $50,000 | Veh. Code § 1810.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Ownership (Bonded Title) | Fair market value | Veh. Code §§ 4157, 4307, 5751 |
| Traffic Violator School | $15,000 | Veh. Code § 11202(a)(6) |
| Driving School Operator | $10,000 | Veh. Code § 11102(a)(3) |
| Registration Service | $25,000 | Veh. Code § 11401 |
| Broker of Construction Trucking | $15,000 | Veh. Code § 34510.5 |
| Autonomous Vehicle Manufacturer | $5,000,000 | Veh. Code § 38750; 13 CCR § 227.10 |
| Finance Lender/Broker (CFL) | $25,000-$200,000 | Fin. Code § 22112 |
| CRMLA Bond | $50,000-$100,000 | Fin. Code § 50205 |
| Money Transmitter (Payment Instruments) | $500,000-$2,000,000 | Fin. Code § 2037 |
| Money Transmitter (Money Received) | $250,000-$7,000,000 | Fin. Code § 2037 |
| Escrow Agent | $25,000+ ($5K/branch) | Fin. Code § 17202 |
| Check Seller | $500,000 min | Fin. Code § 12206(b) |
| Prorater (Bill Payer) | $25,000 min | Fin. Code § 12206(a) |
| Deferred Deposit (Payday) | $25,000 | Fin. Code § 23013 |
| Student Loan Servicer | $25,000 min | Fin. Code § 28142 |
| Debt Collector | $25,000 | Fin. Code § 100019(e) |
| Insurance Broker | $10,000 | Ins. Code § 1623 |
| Surplus Lines Broker | $50,000 | Ins. Code § 1765(c) |
| Special Lines Surplus Broker | $10,000 | Ins. Code § 1765.1 |
| Public Insurance Adjuster | $20,000 | Ins. Code § 15009 |
| Insurance Adjuster | $2,000 | Ins. Code § 14023 |
| Notary Public | $15,000 | Gov't Code § 8212 |
| Immigration Consultant | $100,000 | B&P Code § 22443.1 |
| Talent Agency | $50,000 | Labor Code § 1700.15 |
| Car Wash | $150,000 ($15K w/ CBA) | Labor Code § 2055(b) |
| Tax Preparer | $5,000 | B&P Code § 22250.1 |
| Auctioneer | $20,000 | Civ. Code § 1812.600 |
| Structural Pest Control | $12,500 | B&P Code § 8697 |
| Process Server | $2,000 | B&P Code § 22353 |
| Cemetery Broker | $10,000 | B&P Code § 7651.6 |
| Farm Labor Contractor | $25,000-$75,000 | Labor Code § 1684(a)(3) |
| Employment Agency | $3,000 | Civ. Code § 1812.503 |
| Commercial Fundraiser | $25,000 | Gov't Code § 12599.5 |
| Discount Buying Organization | $20,000 | Civ. Code § 1812.103 |
| Pharmacy Wholesaler | $100,000 ($25K if ≤$10M) | B&P Code § 4162 |
| Seller of Travel | Variable (trust obligation) | B&P Code § 17550.11 |
| Household Mover | $15,000 | Pub. Util. Code § 5134(e) |
| Nurses' Registry | $10,000 | H&S Code § 1812.501 |
| Sales and Use Tax | $2,500-$50,000+ | Rev. & Tax. Code § 6701 |
| Cigarette/Tobacco | CDTFA-determined | Rev. & Tax. Code §§ 30140, 30441 |
| Fuel Tax | CDTFA-determined | Rev. & Tax. Code §§ 7401, 8752, 60401 |
| Cannabis Excise Tax | $5,000 min per license | Rev. & Tax. Code § 34013 |
| Oil & Gas Well (≤10K ft) | $25,000/well | Pub. Res. Code §§ 3204-3205 |
| Oil & Gas Well (≥10K ft) | $40,000/well | Pub. Res. Code §§ 3204-3205 |
| Oil & Gas Blanket (≤50 wells) | $200,000 | Pub. Res. Code §§ 3204-3205 |
| Oil & Gas Blanket (51-500) | $400,000 | Pub. Res. Code §§ 3204-3205 |
| Oil & Gas Blanket (501-10K) | ~$2,000,000 | Pub. Res. Code §§ 3204-3205 |
| Oil & Gas Blanket (10K+) | $3,000,000 | Pub. Res. Code §§ 3204-3205 |
| Mine Reclamation (SMARA) | Site-specific | Pub. Res. Code §§ 2770-2773.4 |
| Hazardous Waste (DTSC) | Site-specific | H&S Code § 25245 |
| UST Financial Responsibility | $1M/occ, $2M agg | H&S Code § 25299.31 |
| Solid Waste Facility | Site-specific | Pub. Res. Code § 43600 |
| Appeal Bond | 1.5× judgment | CCP §§ 917.1-917.9 |
| Attachment Bond | $10,000 | CCP § 489.220 |
| Administrator/Executor Bond | Personal property + income | Prob. Code §§ 8480-8489 |
| Guardian/Conservator Bond | Personal property + income | Prob. Code §§ 2320-2335 |
| County Treasurer | 10% of est. collections | Gov't Code § 27002 |
| District Attorney | $5,000 | Gov't Code § 26502 |
| County Superintendent of Schools | $25,000 | Educ. Code § 1060 |
All California Bond Categories
Construction Bonds
- CSLB Contractor License Bonds ($25,000)
Required for all active CA contractors
- CSLB Bond Detail ($25,000)
- LLC Employee/Worker Bond ($100,000)
- Disciplinary Bond ($25K–$150K)
- Construction Bonds Overview
- Performance & Payment Bonds
CA public works per Civ. Code § 9550
- Bid Bonds
- California Performance Bonds
- Payment Bonds
Court & Fiduciary
Business & Professional
- Notary Public Bonds ($15,000)
- DMV Auto Dealer Bonds ($50,000)
- California Vehicle Title Bonds
- Freight Broker Bonds ($75,000 BMC-84)
- California Mortgage Broker Bonds
- California Alcohol & Liquor License Bonds
- California Fuel Tax Bonds
- California Collection Agency Bonds ($25,000)
- California Tax Preparer Bond (CTEC, $5,000)
- Sales Tax Bonds
- Commercial Surety Bonds
- Professional License Bonds
- All Surety Bonds
Learning Resources
Tools & Calculators
Serving Businesses Across California
Bonds written on the form your California agency, court, or municipality requires
California Surety Bond Questions
CSLB, DMV, DFPI, CDI, CDTFA, CalGEM, courts, and California-specific rules
Why does California require a $25,000 contractor license bond?
What is the difference between a CSLB license bond and a contractor disciplinary bond?
How much does a California notary bond cost?
Does California require performance and payment bonds on public works?
What California agencies require surety bonds?
Does California require two separate money transmitter bonds?
What are California CalGEM oil and gas well bond amounts?
What is the California autonomous vehicle manufacturer bond?
Does California require a cannabis surety bond?
Can I get a California surety bond with a credit score below 600?
Which California bonds do NOT actually exist?
What is the LLC Contractor Employee/Worker Bond?
How do I get a California surety bond?
What happens after I apply?
Official California Resources
Government sources for California bond requirements
Official contractor license bond amounts, forms, and filing deadlines
Official CSLB guide to bond requirements, filing, and common questions
Dealer bond, vehicle verifier, registration service, and other DMV bond requirements
Finance lender/broker, money transmitter, escrow agent, and financial services bond requirements
Insurance broker, surplus lines, and public adjuster bond requirements
Sales tax, cigarette tax, fuel tax, and cannabis excise tax bond requirements
Oil and gas well plugging, abandonment, and site remediation bond requirements
Hazardous waste facility closure and financial assurance requirements
Notary public, immigration consultant, auctioneer, and other SOS-filed bond requirements
Commercial fundraiser, seller of travel, and charitable trust bond requirements
Full text of all California codes including B&P, Vehicle, Financial, Insurance, and Civil codes
Federal listing of Treasury-listed surety companies authorized to write bonds
Methodology: Every bond type, statute citation, bond amount, and regulatory body listed on this page has been verified against the current text of the California Business and Professions Code, Vehicle Code, Financial Code, Insurance Code, Civil Code, Code of Civil Procedure, Probate Code, Government Code, Public Resources Code, Health and Safety Code, Revenue and Taxation Code, Labor Code, Public Contract Code, Public Utilities Code, Education Code, and California Code of Regulations. Key legislative changes reflected include SB 607 (2023, CSLB bond increase to $25,000 and qualifying individual bond to $25,000), AB 1167 (2024, CalGEM well bond increases), and current DFPI money transmitter dual-bond requirements under Fin. Code § 2037. Bond amounts set by agency discretion or formula are marked as such. Amounts shown are statutory minimums or ranges; actual amounts may vary based on individual circumstances.
All content is researched from official state and federal sources (.gov). BuySuretyBonds.com works with Treasury-listed surety carriers.
Estimate Your California Surety Bond Premium
Free calculator — ballpark cost in under 60 seconds, no email required.
Other California Bonds
Additional surety bonds available in California
Notary public bond
Contractor licensing
DMV dealer licensing
NMLS mortgage licensing
Construction & service contracts
Executors, administrators & guardians
FMCSA broker authority
More California bond requirements
- Alcohol Beverage Bonds
- Appeal Bonds
- Auctioneer Bonds
- Check Seller Prorater
- Collection Agency Bonds
- Court Bonds
- Document Preparer Bonds
- Employment Agency Bonds
- Farm Labor Contractor
- Finance Lender
- Fuel Tax Bonds
- Immigration Consultant Bonds
- Insurance Broker Bonds
- Marijuana Business Bonds
- Money Transmitter Bonds
- Pawnbroker Bonds
- Payday Lender
- Pest Control Bonds
- Process Server Bonds
- Public Adjuster Bonds
- Real Estate Broker Bonds
- Subdivision Bonds
- Talent Agency Bonds
- Tax Preparer Bonds
- Tobacco Tax Bonds
- Travel Agency Bonds
- Vehicle Title Bonds
Get Your California Surety Bond Today
All 62+ California bond types -- CSLB, DMV, DFPI, CDI, court, environmental, tax, and every license bond California requires -- from Treasury-listed sureties with prompt submission
Bond requirements in California by type
Surety bonds in other states
- Surety bond rules in Alabama
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- Bond types in Virginia
- Washington surety bonds
- Bonds required in West Virginia
- Wisconsin bond requirements by type
- Surety bond rules in Wyoming
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- DMEPOS Medicare accreditation bond
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