Resources
Programs, funding, training & licensing
Everything a contractor needs in one place — state, federal and utility programs, financing, small business support, trainings, CSLB licensing steps and workforce pipelines.
State, Federal & Utility Programs
Incentive, rebate and trade-ally programs funded by California, federal agencies and the investor-owned utilities.
Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) Program — CPUC overview
Statewide IOU-ratepayer program (CPUC) delivering no-cost weatherization and efficiency upgrades to income-qualified single-family households. Weatherization is the core focus; electrification and fuel switching are limited. Each utility administers its own territory (SCE, SoCalGas, SDG&E, Resource Innovations for PG&E). ESA is in the last program year of the 2023–2026 cycle with a 2027 bridge year; the 2028–2033 RFP for Program Implementors is the one to watch.
Equitable Building Decarbonization (EBD) Direct Install
CEC state-funded no-cost decarbonization retrofits (heat pumps, induction, panel upgrades) for low- and moderate-income homes. Electrification and fuel switching are the primary focus. Regional administrators: Association for Energy Affordability (Northern), Center for Sustainable Energy (Central), County of Los Angeles (Southern) — installation bids for Program Implementors are opening region by region.
ESA — Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)
PG&E Energy Savings Assistance program page: eligibility, income limits and how contractors deliver no-cost upgrades in PG&E territory (implemented by Resource Innovations).
ESA — Southern California Edison (SCE)
SCE Energy Savings Assistance program: no-cost efficiency measures for income-qualified SCE customers, delivered by contracted Program Implementors.
ESA — SoCalGas
SoCalGas Energy Savings Assistance program details, including the ESA Whole Home Pilot Plus-Deep (WHPPD) that sunsets at the end of 2026.
ESA — San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)
SDG&E no-cost energy-efficient home improvements (ESA) and Whole Home program information for income-qualified customers.
ESA Whole Home / Pilot Plus-Deep (WHPPD)
Deeper-retrofit ESA pathway for single-family low-income homes with moderate electrification and fuel-switching scope. Sunsetting per CPUC D.26-07-007 — follow the 2028–2033 ESA cycle for what replaces it.
ESA Program Solicitations (SDG&E)
Open RFPs and solicitations for ESA Program Implementors — the entry point for contractors who want to deliver ESA services in the next cycle.
Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWP)
Cap-and-Trade (California Climate Investments) funded program for disadvantaged communities and low-income households. Weatherization is core with significant electrification and fuel switching. Now focused on Farmworker Housing and Multifamily components; La Cooperativa is a long-standing administrator across 18 counties. Local administrators include CSET, Fresno EOC, Merced County CAA and Madera County CAA.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Federal HHS-funded bill assistance, crisis intervention and limited weatherization administered by CSD through local agencies (CSET, Fresno EOC, Merced and Madera County Community Action Agencies). California received ~$236M for FFY 2026.
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
U.S. Department of Energy program — weatherization is the primary focus for low-income homes, delivered locally by CSET, Fresno EOC, Merced and Madera County CAAs and Community Action Agency Kern. Remains active and funded.
SCE Building Electrification (BE) Program
SCE ratepayer program promoting electrification and fuel switching in existing homes. Contractors join SCE's Trade Professional participant list to deliver BE and other incentive programs.
Community Services Employment Training (CSET)
Tulare County community action agency administering LIWP, LIHEAP and WAP weatherization locally — a key partner for Central Valley contractors.
Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission (Fresno EOC)
Fresno County administrator for LIWP, LIHEAP and WAP energy services.
La Cooperativa Campesina de California
Long-standing LIWP administrator for farmworker housing weatherization and energy upgrades across 18 California counties.
Association for Energy Affordability (AEA)
Northern California regional administrator for the CEC Equitable Building Decarbonization Direct Install program.
Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE)
Central California regional administrator for the CEC Equitable Building Decarbonization Direct Install program.
Funding & Financing
Grants, loans, financing and incentive dollars that help contractors and customers get projects done.
Access Plus Capital (Fresno CDFI)
Microloan + technical assistance, $5,000–$500,000, for working capital, equipment, tenant improvements, franchises and business acquisition. Serves new or expanding businesses across 14 Central California counties with a focus on low-income, minority, rural and female entrepreneurs.
Jobber Grants (home service businesses)
Up to $100,000 across several grants for home service business owners, new or experienced. HVAC and trades qualify as home service; open nationally.
DIR ERiCA Grant — Equal Representation in Construction Apprenticeship
Statewide DAS grant targeting the gap where women are ~4% of building-trades apprentices: recruitment, childcare stipends and worksite-culture funding for DAS-registered programs (Round 2: $26M, PY 2025–2027).
City of Fresno Revolving Loan Fund
Loans for businesses inside Fresno city limits that can't get full financing from a conventional lender — inventory, working capital, equipment and leasehold improvements. Administered by Cen Cal Business Finance.
SBA 504 Loan (via Cen Cal Business Finance)
Up to $10 million for buying, building or remodeling an owner-occupied commercial building — a fit if you need a shop or warehouse.
SBA 7(a) Loan
The SBA's most common loan program; a frequent path for HVAC and trade business owners funding a start, expansion or acquisition.
SBA Microloan
Up to $50,000 for working capital, inventory, supplies or equipment; rates typically 8–13%, terms up to 6 years.
City of Bakersfield Entrepreneurship Grant
$5,000–$40,000 grants for startups and small businesses that are income-qualified or located in qualifying Bakersfield census tracts, with technical assistance via CSUB SBDC and Bakersfield College Launchpad.
CSUB Small Business Development Center
Free consulting and workshops for Kern, Inyo and Mono county small businesses — the technical-assistance partner for Bakersfield grant applicants.
Kern Biz Grant Program
Up to $10,000 competitive, one-time grants for small businesses and property owners in unincorporated Kern County commercial corridors — storefront improvements and property safety.
CalOSBA SEED 3.0 (Social Entrepreneurs for Economic Development)
Microgrants plus free training for immigrant entrepreneurs and individuals with limited English proficiency, delivered through community-based organizations.
CA Green Business Network Electrification Mini-Grant
$1,000 for small businesses electrifying their own operations — smart thermostats, heat pump water heaters, EV chargers for your shop or fleet.
CalOSBA Accelerate California Innovation Grants
$25,000–$100,000 per company for early-stage, high-growth businesses in sectors like clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
USDA Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG)
$10,000–$500,000 for small and emerging rural businesses (≤50 new employees, <$1M projected revenue). Applications come from public bodies, tribes or nonprofits that pass funds through.
USDA REAP — Energy Efficiency Improvement Grants
Up to 50% of eligible project costs for rural small businesses and ag producers making efficiency upgrades, including high-efficiency HVAC. Check current application windows.
ValleyBuild (SB1 Partnership Grant)
$1.56M over three years with partner match — recruits job-seekers into pre-apprenticeship training tied to transportation and infrastructure projects in the Central Valley.
HRCC Resilient Workforce Fund — Tulare County
$758,897 for a Tulare County training partnership (College of the Sequoias, ValleyBuild, Fresno-Madera-Kings-Tulare Building Trades Council). Organizational grant.
DIR Women in Apprenticeship
Division of Apprenticeship Standards resources and initiatives for recruiting and retaining women in registered apprenticeship.
Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Pipeline for Ex-Offenders (CPP)
$250,000 to the Fresno, Madera, Kings and Tulare Workforce Boards to train 40 justice-involved participants with an emphasis on women.
California Workplace Outreach Project (CWOP)
Multi-year DIR funding for community-based organizations (501(c)(3)/(4)/(5)) doing workplace-rights outreach in Kern, Tulare, Kings, Fresno, Madera, Merced, Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties.
Construction Trades Workforce Initiative (CTWI)
Statewide program model partnering with Building Trades Councils to open union construction careers; ~60% of participants are women. Organizational funding.
Small Business Resources
Certification, procurement, counseling and growth resources for small and diverse contracting businesses.
MBE Certification — NMSDC Central Application Hub
Minority Business Enterprise certification for private-sector and corporate contracts: direct inclusion in Fortune 500 supplier-diversity databases plus exclusive corporate networking and matchmaking. Est. cost $270–$1,700/year, scaled by revenue.
SBA 8(a) Business Development Program — SBA Certify
Federal set-aside and sole-source contract eligibility plus mentorship, executive training and joint-venture opportunities. Free application; 9-year maximum program term.
SBA 8(a) Program Overview
Eligibility rules and benefits of the 8(a) Business Development program for socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses.
California SB / DVBE Certification — Cal eProcure
State and local MWBE-style certification for California public contracts: Small Business (SB) and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) certification through DGS gives a 5% bid preference on state solicitations. Free.
DGS Office of Small Business & DVBE Services
How to certify, maintain certification and find state contracting opportunities; questions to Certification@dgs.ca.gov.
Caltrans DBE / SB Certification
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise certification for federally funded transportation and infrastructure contracts in California (California Unified Certification Program).
CalOSBA — Office of the Small Business Advocate
State hub for small business funding, technical assistance centers, permits and procurement guidance.
SBA Learning Platform
Free online courses on starting, managing, marketing and growing a small business, including federal contracting basics.
SCORE Business Mentoring
Free, confidential mentoring from experienced business owners plus local workshops — chapters across the Central Valley and California.
Training Opportunities
In-person and online trainings, certifications and workshops. TAE contractor trainings (HPA, CBO, QHVAC) also appear on the Events calendar.
See upcoming trainings on the calendarTAE Contractor Trainings on the Events Calendar
HPA, CBO and QHVAC contractor trainings promoted by Trade Ally Exchange appear on the Events calendar — RSVP there to save your seat.
CSLB Licensing Workshops (free, monthly)
Live CSLB workshop on qualifications, business entities and the application process — first Friday of every month.
BPI Building Performance Certifications
Building Performance Institute certifications (Building Analyst, Envelope, HEP) recognized by weatherization and whole-home programs.
EPA Section 608 Technician Certification
Required certification for technicians who maintain, service or repair refrigerant-containing equipment, including heat pumps and air conditioners.
NATE HVACR Certification
North American Technician Excellence certifications for HVAC/R installers and service technicians.
OSHA Outreach Training (10- and 30-hour)
Find authorized OSHA 10/30 construction safety courses online or in person.
HERS Rater Training — CalCERTS
California Home Energy Rating System rater training and certification for Title 24 compliance verification.
TECH Clean California Contractor Training
Free heat pump HVAC and heat pump water heater trainings and incentives for California contractors.
CSLB Licensing & Certifications
California State License Board requirements and how to get, verify or expand a contractor license.
Open the full CSLB licensing guideApply for a Contractor License
Start here: requirements, the online application, experience documentation and exam guides from the Contractors State License Board.
Home Improvement Registration
Six-step guide to registering as a Home Improvement Salesperson (HIS), including Live Scan fingerprinting and renewals.
Licensing Workshops
Free live CSLB workshops on qualifications, business entities and the application process — held the first Friday of each month.
Check a License or HIS
Verify any California contractor license or Home Improvement Salesperson registration.
Licensing Classifications
Definitions for A, B, B-2 and all C specialty classifications (C-10 Electrical, C-20 HVAC, C-36 Plumbing, C-46 Solar and more).
Workforce Programs
Apprenticeships, hiring pipelines, trade-school partnerships and programs that grow the next generation of skilled trades.
See program details on Workforce Development
Valley Apprenticeship Connections (VAC) — Construction Pre-Apprenticeship
An intensive pre-apprenticeship training program that prepares individuals for the construction industry: introductions to union trades, Associated Builders and Contractors, soft-skill attainment, construction math, daily physical education, conflict-resolution training and random drug testing. Graduates can qualify for financial assistance toward apprenticeship induction fees and may meet local targeted-hiring requirements for contractors on projects like High Speed Rail.
MC3 Program Apprenticeship & NOW Program
A pre-apprenticeship program using the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) covering workplace safety, tool use, blueprint reading, construction math, labor history and employability skills. It exposes participants to roughly 12 different building and construction trades and connects them to union apprenticeship programs. The NOW Program is a companion all-female cohort that encourages women into construction by addressing discrimination, child care and transportation barriers, with a stipend for living, transportation and child-care expenses during training.
DIR Women in Apprenticeship
Resources, grants (ERiCA) and initiatives to recruit and retain women in California's construction apprenticeships.
Sustainable Energy Efficiency Development (SEED)
Training in HVAC fundamentals, electrical work and weatherization, with hands-on practice in a mock house lab plus career counseling and job-placement support.
Career Technical Education (CTE)
Certificates and associate degrees that let students move directly into the workforce or transfer to a four-year institution. Programs span multiple industry sectors across all three COS campuses.
Trade and Industrial Programs
Career-focused, hands-on training in Electrical Technology, HVAC-R (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration) and Maintenance Technician, emphasizing real-world, industry-relevant skills. Electrical Technology graduates are eligible for the California General Electrician's Certification Exam; HVAC-R graduates can pursue OSHA 10-Hour Construction and EPA 608 certification.
DIR Division of Apprenticeship Standards
Find or sponsor a registered apprenticeship program in California; employer resources and program directory.
Tradeswomen, Inc.
California nonprofit recruiting, training and supporting women in the skilled construction trades.
NAWIC — National Association of Women in Construction
Professional association with California chapters offering networking, mentoring and education for women in construction.
Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board
Hiring incentives, on-the-job training reimbursement and special projects (including the CPP pre-apprenticeship pipeline) for Fresno-area employers.
Workforce Investment Board of Tulare County
Employer services, training grants and the ValleyBuild Tulare County partnership.
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