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California Cabinet and finish carpentry

California cabinet and finish carpentry contractor license guide

California cabinet, millwork, and finish carpentry contractors use CSLB's C-6 classification. This guide connects cabinets, trim, doors, nonbearing partitions, and millwork installation to official CSLB sources.

The short answer

California cabinet and finish carpentry contractors should review CSLB's C-6 Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry Contractor classification before selling cabinet, casework, trim, sash, door, nonbearing partition, or millwork fabrication and installation.

Who this applies to

  • California contractors making, placing, erecting, or finishing cabinets, millwork, trim, doors, sashes, cases, or nonbearing finish-carpentry items should review C-6.
  • Cabinet and finish carpentry work can overlap with general remodeling, structural carpentry, flooring, countertops, painting, electrical, plumbing, and local permit requirements.
  • Homeowners and contractors should verify CSLB license status before custom cabinet, built-in, trim, millwork, or finish-carpentry projects.

Requirement snapshot

Authority California Contractors State License Board
Classification CSLB lists C-6 as Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry Contractor.
Scope snapshot CSLB says a C-6 contractor makes cabinets, cases, sashes, doors, trims, nonbearing partitions, and other finish-carpentry items by cutting, surfacing, joining, gluing, and fabricating wood or other products to provide a functional surface.
Installation scope CSLB says a C-6 contractor also places, erects, and finishes cabinets and millwork in structures.
Experience CSLB says applicants generally need at least four full years of journey-level or higher experience in the classification, within the 10 years before filing.
Verification CSLB provides an online license check for contractor licenses and Home Improvement Salesperson registrations.

Practical application path

  1. Read CSLB's C-6 classification page before advertising cabinet, millwork, or finish-carpentry services.
  2. Confirm whether the planned work is C-6 finish carpentry, structural carpentry, general remodeling, countertop installation, flooring, painting, or another scope.
  3. Identify the qualifying individual and gather verifiable cabinet, millwork, or finish-carpentry experience documentation.
  4. Follow CSLB's application, exam, fingerprinting, bond, and issuance instructions.
  5. Confirm measurements, wall conditions, appliance clearances, plumbing/electrical coordination, and finish/warranty terms before taking jobs.

Watchouts before you sell the work

  • Cabinet installation, countertop templating, backsplash work, plumbing, electrical, and flooring sequencing should be separated in the quote.
  • Nonbearing finish carpentry is not the same as structural framing or whole-project general contracting.
  • Custom cabinet, refacing, door replacement, trim, and built-in work can have different measurement, finish, and warranty risks.

Official source links

CSLB C-6 Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry classification https://www.cslb.ca.gov/about_us/library/licensing_classifications/Licensing_Classifications_Detail.aspx?Class=C-6 CSLB before applying https://www.cslb.ca.gov/contractors/applicants/contractors_license/exam_application/before_applying_for_license.aspx CSLB qualifying experience https://www.cslb.ca.gov/contractors/applicants/contractors_license/exam_application/experience_for_exam.aspx CSLB check a license https://www.cslb.ca.gov/onlineservices/checklicenseII/checklicense.aspx

FAQ

What is the California cabinet contractor classification?

CSLB lists cabinet, millwork, and finish carpentry contracting under the C-6 classification.

Does C-6 include installing cabinets and millwork?

Yes. CSLB's C-6 description says the contractor also places, erects, and finishes cabinets and millwork in structures.