HAZ — Hazardous Substance Removal Certification
Compliance obligations for California HAZ (Hazardous Substance Removal Certification) contractors. Keep every deadline tracked to stay licensed and avoid penalties.
Compliance Obligations
| Obligation | Agency | Cycle | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSLB Contractor License Renewal | Contractors State License Board (CSLB) | 2 years | $450 |
| Contractor License Bond | Contractors State License Board (CSLB) | continuous | $25,000 |
| Bond of Qualifying Individual | Contractors State License Board (CSLB) | continuous | $25,000 |
| LLC Employee/Worker Bond | Contractors State License Board (CSLB) | continuous | $100,000 |
| Workers' Compensation Insurance | Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) | annual | Varies by classification and payroll |
| Cal/OSHA: Certification required for contractors performing lead-based paint activities including inspection, risk assessment, and abatement in target housing and child-occupied facilities | California Department of Public Health (CDPH) | annual | Varies |
| Cal/OSHA: Registration required for contractors removing or remediating hazardous substances, including underground storage tanks and contaminated soil | Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) | annual | Varies |
Cal/OSHA Permits Required
HAZ contractors may need the following Cal/OSHA permits depending on project scope.
Workers' Compensation
Workers' comp is required for HAZ contractors.
Mandatory date: 2028-01-01 (Phase 2). Contractors with employees must carry workers' compensation insurance at all times.
Scope of Work
View full statutory scope of work ▼
Business & Professions Code Division 3, Chapter 9. Contractors, Article 4. Classifications 7058.7. (a)No contractor shall engage in a removal or remedial action, as defined in subdivision (d), unless the qualifier for the license has passed an approved hazardous substance certification examination. (c)The Contractors' State License Board may require additional updated approved hazardous substance certification examinations of licensees currently certified based on new public or occupational health and safety information. The Contractors' State License Board, in consultation with the Department of Toxic Substances Control and the State Water Resources Control Board, shall approve other initial and updated hazardous substance certification examinations and determine whether to require an updated certification examination of all current certificate holders. (d) For purposes of this section "removal or remedial action" has the same meaning as found in Chapter 6.8 (commencing with Section 25300) of Division 20 of the Health and Safety Code, if the action requires the contractor to dig into the surface of the earth and remove the dug material and the action is at a site listed pursuant to Section 25356 of the Health and Safety Code or any other site listed as a hazardous waste site by the Department of Toxic Substances Control or a site listed on the National Priorities List compiled pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 9601 et seq.). "Removal or remedial action" does not include asbestos-related work, as defined in Section 6501.8 of the Labor Code, or work related to a hazardous substance spill on a highway. (Amended by Stats. 1990, Chapter 1366 (SB 2004), eff. Sept. 26, 1990; amended by Stats. 1992, Chapter 1289 (AB 2743), Chapter 1290 (AB 3188), eff. Sept. 30, 1992; amended by Stats. 1993, Chapter 168 (AB 427).) Click here for the Hazardous Substance Removal certification application.
Track your HAZ deadlines automatically.
PermitCal pre-loads every compliance deadline for HAZ (Hazardous Substance Removal Certification) contractors. Join the waitlist.
City Business Licenses
In addition to state requirements, you may need a city business license.