{
  "url": "https://scopeofcover.com/requirements/ca/workers-comp-exemption",
  "title": "California Contractor Workers' Compensation Exemption Rules",
  "template": "requirements",
  "published": "2026-10-03",
  "updated": "2026-10-03",
  "last_verified": "2026-10-03",
  "answer": "California contractors can file for a workers' compensation exemption if they certify they do not employ anyone in a manner subject to state workers' compensation laws. Scope of Cover found the exemption is not available for license classifications C-8, C-20, C-22, C-39, and C-61/D-49. The exemption is filed by submitting a form to the Contractors State License Board (CSLB).",
  "editor": {
    "name": "Eric Dawson",
    "title": "Editor"
  },
  "publisher": "scopeofcover.com",
  "claims": [
    {
      "claim_id": "ca-wc-exemption-eligibility",
      "statement": "To be exempt from workers' compensation, an applicant or licensee must submit a form to the CSLB, certifying under penalty of perjury that they do not employ anyone in a manner subject to California's workers' compensation laws.",
      "value": "does not employ anyone",
      "as_of": "2026-10-02",
      "jurisdiction": "CA",
      "source_url": "https://www2.cslb.ca.gov/Resources/FormsAndApplications/ExemptionfromWorkersCompensationInsurance%2013L-50.pdf",
      "quote": "To be exempt from workers’ compensation, an applicant or licensee must submit this form to CSLB, certifying under penalty of perjury that he or she does not employ anyone in a manner that is subject to the workers’ compensation laws of California.",
      "retrieved": "2026-10-02"
    },
    {
      "claim_id": "ca-wc-exemption-excluded-classifications",
      "statement": "The workers' compensation exemption is not available to contractors with licenses in C-8 Concrete, C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning, C-22 Asbestos Abatement, C-39 Roofing, and C-61/D-49 Tree Service classifications.",
      "value": "C-8, C-20, C-22, C-39, C-61/D-49",
      "unit": "classification",
      "as_of": "2026-10-02",
      "jurisdiction": "CA",
      "source_url": "https://www2.cslb.ca.gov/Resources/FormsAndApplications/ExemptionfromWorkersCompensationInsurance%2013L-50.pdf",
      "quote": "This exemption is not available to contractors applying for or holding a license in any of the following classifications: C-8 Concrete, C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning, C-22 Asbestos Abatement, C-39 Roofing and C-61/D-49 Tree Service.",
      "retrieved": "2026-10-02"
    },
    {
      "claim_id": "ca-wc-exemption-joint-venture-exclusion",
      "statement": "Joint Venture entities are excluded from the workers' compensation exemption provision.",
      "value": "Joint Venture entities",
      "as_of": "2026-10-02",
      "jurisdiction": "CA",
      "source_url": "https://www2.cslb.ca.gov/Resources/FormsAndApplications/ExemptionfromWorkersCompensationInsurance%2013L-50.pdf",
      "quote": "Joint Venture entities are excluded from this provision.",
      "retrieved": "2026-10-02"
    },
    {
      "claim_id": "ca-wc-exemption-disqualification-conditions",
      "statement": "Do not submit the exemption form if you have an inactive license, the license qualifier is a Responsible Managing Employee (RME), you hold or are applying for a license in C-8, C-20, C-22, C-39, or C-61/D-49 classifications, or you have employees.",
      "value": "inactive license, RME, C-8, C-20, C-22, C-39, C-61/D-49, employees",
      "as_of": "2026-10-02",
      "jurisdiction": "CA",
      "source_url": "https://www2.cslb.ca.gov/Resources/FormsAndApplications/ExemptionfromWorkersCompensationInsurance%2013L-50.pdf",
      "quote": "DO NOT SUBMIT THIS FORM IF: You have an inactive license. The license qualifier is a Responsible Managing Employee (RME). You hold or are applying for a license in any of the following classifications:C-8 , C-20, C-22, C-39, or C-61/D-49 You have employees.",
      "retrieved": "2026-10-02"
    }
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "CSLB: Exemption from Workers' Compensation Insurance (form 13L-50)",
      "url": "https://www2.cslb.ca.gov/Resources/FormsAndApplications/ExemptionfromWorkersCompensationInsurance%2013L-50.pdf",
      "publisher": "Contractors State License Board",
      "retrieved": "2026-10-02"
    }
  ],
  "license": "CC BY 4.0. Attribute to Scope of Cover (https://scopeofcover.com/)."
}