Reinforcing Steel Contractor Insurance in California (C-50)

What the C-50 license covers

The CSLB’s definition

“A reinforcing steel contractor fabricates, places and ties steel mesh or steel reinforcing bars (rods), of any profile, perimeter, or cross-section, that are or may be used to reinforce concrete structures.”

Rebar claims come from falls, strains and impalement on exposed bar ends, plus the occasional dropped bundle. On the liability side, mistakes in placement can lead to costly concrete tear-out after the pour. General contractors will want additional insured, primary and non-contributory wording and waiver of subrogation before you start.

The C-50 coverage stack

General Liability — with additional insured and primary wording for the GC
Workers’ Compensation — rated 5225 in the field, 3039 in the shop
Commercial Auto — flatbeds and trucks hauling bar
Inland Marine — benders, cutters and tying tools
CSLB license bond — the $25,000 bond every C-50 license needs
Excess & Umbrella — commercial and public projects often require $2M or more

C-50 requirements

What California requires of a C-50 licensee

Requirement	What applies to C-50 rebar contractors
Contractor’s license bond	A $25,000 bond is required to activate and keep the license. LLC licensees also need a $100,000 LLC employee/worker bond. How the bond works
Workers’ compensation	Required now if you have even one employee. With no employees you can file a CSLB exemption, but that option ends for every classification on January 1, 2028. Check your requirement
General liability	Required by the CSLB only for LLC licensees (at least $1 million). General contractors and owners require it anyway, usually with additional insured status.

Workers’ comp class codes and 2026 rates

Class code	Description	Advisory rate per $100 payroll
5225	Reinforcing steel installation, placing for concrete construction	$5.54
3039	Reinforcing steel fabrication at a permanent shop or yard	$7.47

Source: WCIRB California, approved September 1, 2026 advisory pure premium rates and classification descriptions. These are benchmark loss costs, not quotes: each carrier files its own rates, and your experience mod and credits adjust the final premium.

Placing and tying rebar in the field is code 5225. Cutting and bending at your own shop or yard is a separate code, 3039, with a higher rate. If you do both, keep shop hours and field hours separate in your payroll so each lands in the right code at audit.

Code 5225

field placing and tying

Shop vs field

fabrication has its own, higher code

WC by 2028

every C-50 needs a policy, employees or not

Common questions

C-50 coverage, answered

What is the workers’ comp class code for rebar contractors in California?

Placing reinforcing steel for concrete is code 5225, with a 2026 WCIRB advisory rate of $5.54 per $100 of payroll. Fabricating rebar at your own shop or yard is code 3039 ($7.47).

Is general liability required for a C-50 license?

Only for LLC licensees, which must carry at least $1 million. Sole proprietors and corporations aren’t required to by the CSLB, but most general contractors and public agencies will require it before you start.

Does my insurance cover concrete tear-out if rebar was placed wrong?

Usually not the cost of redoing your own work. General liability is designed for damage to other property and injuries. Ask about your exposure before you sign a subcontract that makes you responsible for rework.

Do rebar contractors need workers’ comp with no employees?

Not yet. A C-50 licensee with no employees can file the CSLB exemption until January 1, 2028, when the exemption ends for every classification. Any employee means you need a policy now.

Reinforcing Steel Contractor Insurance in California

The CSLB’s definition

The C-50 coverage stack

What California requires of a C-50 licensee

Workers’ comp class codes and 2026 rates

C-50 coverage, answered

Get a C-50 quote that fits the work