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In California, the penalties for not having a contractor's license for work over \$500 include misdemeanor charges, fines up to \$5,000, and jail time up to six months for a first offense. Penalties are more severe for repeat offenders, with a mandatory 90-day jail sentence and a fine of 20% of the contract price or \$5,000, whichever is greater. Additionally, unlicensed contractors may be required to repay all money received for work and face administrative fines up to \$15,000.