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The following individuals or organizations are considered "farm labor contractors":

• any person/legal entity who, for a fee, employs people to perform work connected to the production of farm products to, for, or under the direction of a third person
• any person/legal entity who recruits, supplies, or hires workers on behalf of someone engaged in the production of farm products and, for a fee, provides board, lodging, or transportation for those workers, or supervises, times, checks, counts, weighs, or otherwise directs or measures their work, or disburses wage payments to these persons.

Under the California labor Code, any person acting as a farm labor contractor (FLC) is required to be authorized and keep their license current. The Department of Labor Standards Enforcement of the Department of Industrial Relations issues licenses for Farm Labor Contractors. Visit the DLSE website for information and the online application process (also available as a printable form).

Membership in CFLCA will also help you navigate the industry and provide you with much needed resources and information.

FLC License Application Instructions and Checklist

NOTE: Applicants may need the following during the completion of the application. Click the above link for detailed information about the process. 

• To have registered with the federal government as a farm labor contractor and received a federal registration certificate. Department of Labor instructions and information found here. Additional resources are available through the DOL WHD FAQ, and  the video on Applications for MSPA Certificates of Registration.
  
• Take and pass the farm labor contractor exam* administered by DIR (initially and then once every two years).
• Have 2 current passport photos taken for the sole proprietor, for one member of an LLC/corporation, or for EACH partner in a partnership.
• Have the sole proprietor or member of an LLC/corporation, or each partner get their fingerprints taken at a Live Scan facility. Live Scan Fresno form and San Francisco form and Oakland form.
  
• Obtain workers' compensation and also obtain a FLC bond in the appropriate amount. WCI and bond must be valid for more than 30 days following expiration of current license for renewals.
  
• The applicant must participate in at least nine hours of relevant education classes for each license period (annual).
• Renewal applicants must have registered in each county to which the applicant will dispatch workers.
• The sole proprietor, or each officer of a corporation/LLC or each member of a partnership must fill out a sexual harassment disclosure statement (English or Spanish).
  
• Corporations/LLCs will need to provide copies of their articles of incorporation statements of information.
• Have a complete list of all materials andr resources used when providing sexual harassment prevention training to agricultural employees in the calendar year prior to the month the application is submitted (for renewals).

Licenses must be renewed each year; online applications may begin renewal 90 days from the license expiration date and should be submitted 30+ days in advance for priority processing. FLCs may request temporary extensions by submitting their renewal application, current WCI and bond, and pay applicable fees.

*The current state FLC licensing exam is aligned with 2022 regulations.

Exam invitations are sent to the email address provided on the FLC license application (individual, not agent) and will come from a third party DLSE has contracted with. Exams will be given in the language selected on the application (to confirm the language download a copy of your application). Exam results are sent to the same email address generally within three to four weeks.

Take the practice exam for FLC licensing!

Read the letter from DLSE responding to FLC exams issues (Mar. 25, 2022).