Running the Business · Module 1
Your business name: what CSLB allows, the fictitious business name filing, and the 90-day rule for changes
The name on your license is the only name you may contract, advertise, or bond under. CSLB rejects names that suggest classifications you do not hold and names that do not match the type of entity licensed, and allows only one name per license. If you trade as anything other than your own legal name, California also requires a fictitious business name statement with your county within 40 days, published for four weeks, refiled every five years. And every change of business name, address, or personnel must reach CSLB within 90 days or the license is out of compliance. This lesson walks through the name rules, the county filing, and the change-reporting duty, so the name on your truck matches the name on your bond.
What the full lesson covers
- Contract, advertise, and bond only under the exact name on your CSLB license. Acting under any other name is grounds for discipline (B&P 7117).
- CSLB refuses names that indicate classifications you do not hold or that are incompatible with the entity licensed, such as "Inc." or "LLC" on a sole owner's license, and allows only one business name per license (B&P 7059.1).
- A name other than your own surname is a fictitious business name: file the statement with the county clerk within 40 days of starting business, publish it once a week for four successive weeks starting within 45 days of filing, and refile before it expires five years from filing (B&P 17910, 17917, 17920).
- Report every change of business name, address, or personnel to CSLB in writing within 90 days (B&P 7083).
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