Search California Licenses

Professional and occupational licenses in California are issued by state licensing boards — each profession has its own board with its own search tool. There is no single database of all licenses in California.

What this page covers: California professional license verification databases — medical, legal, real estate, contractor, financial, and other regulated professions. What it does not cover: Business entity filings (those are with the Secretary of State) or association memberships (those are private organizations).

Where to start: Identify the profession, then go to the specific licensing board for California. For attorneys, go to the state bar. For doctors, the medical board. For contractors, the contractor licensing authority. The databases below are organized by profession.

Common mistake: A professional license and a business registration are different. A license authorizes a person to practice a profession. A business registration authorizes a company to operate. They are filed with different agencies.