📋 DIR Registration & Compliance for Public Works
If you want to bid on, be listed on, or perform any work on a California public works project, you must be registered with the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) as a Public Works Contractor (PWC). No registration, no work — and the penalties for non-compliance range from contract voidance to daily fines.
This guide covers everything about DIR registration and the compliance obligations that come with it.
DIR registration is the gateway to California public works. It's not just paperwork — it connects you to the entire California public works compliance ecosystem: prevailing wage enforcement, eCPR filing, apprenticeship requirements, and audit exposure. Once you're registered, DIR has visibility into your payroll on every public project.
Who Must Register?
Every Tier of Contractor
| Entity | Must Register? |
|---|---|
| Prime contractor | Yes |
| First-tier subcontractor | Yes |
| Sub-subcontractor (any tier) | Yes |
| Trucking companies (if performing public works) | Yes |
| Material suppliers (delivery only, no installation) | No |
| Equipment rental (no operator) | No |
When Registration Must Be Active
| Activity | Registration Required? |
|---|---|
| Submitting a bid | Must be registered at time of bid submission |
| Being listed as a sub in someone else's bid | Must be registered at time the bid is submitted |
| Starting work on a public project | Must be registered before first day of work |
| Continuing work on an ongoing project | Must maintain active registration throughout |
| After project completion | Registration must be active through final eCPR filing |
If a prime contractor lists a subcontractor in their bid and that sub is not DIR-registered at the time of bid submission, the prime's bid can be rejected. Worse, if the unregistered sub has already started work when the issue is discovered, work must stop. Always verify sub registration before listing them in your bid.
Registration Process
Step-by-Step
| Step | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Go to DIR's online portal | dir.ca.gov/Public-Works/Contractor-Registration.html |
| 2 | Create an account | Company email, EIN, basic business information |
| 3 | Enter company details | Legal name, DBA, address, contact information |
| 4 | Enter CSLB license number | Must have an active CSLB license |
| 5 | Enter workers' comp information | Policy number, carrier, effective dates |
| 6 | Pay the annual fee | $400 per year (credit card or electronic check) |
| 7 | Receive PWC registration number | Used on all public works filings |
Key Registration Details
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $400 |
| Registration period | July 1 – June 30 (fiscal year) |
| Proration | No — $400 regardless of when you register |
| Renewal | Must renew annually before June 30 |
| Grace period | None — if your registration lapses on July 1, you cannot work on public projects |
| Confirmation | Registration number assigned immediately upon payment |
| Processing time | Usually instant for online registration |
If there's any chance you'll bid public work during the fiscal year, register early. The $400 is modest compared to the risk of missing a bid deadline because you forgot to register. Many contractors register as a standard annual practice.
What DIR Registration Triggers
Registration isn't just a fee payment — it connects you to a web of compliance obligations:
1. Electronic Certified Payroll Reporting (eCPR)
Once registered, you must file certified payroll reports electronically through DIR's system for every public works project:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| What | Detailed payroll data for every worker on every public works project |
| When | Within 30 days of the last day of each pay period |
| How | DIR's online portal (manual entry) or XML upload |
| Who | Every registered contractor and sub — each files their own |
| Penalty for non-filing | $100/day per worker |
For complete eCPR details, see California Prevailing Wage & DIR.
2. Prevailing Wage Compliance
DIR registration means DIR can (and does) audit your payroll against prevailing wage requirements:
| Obligation | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay prevailing wage rates | DIR-published rates for the project county and classification |
| Track rate expirations | California rates expire — must pay updated rates when they do |
| Post wage determinations | At a conspicuous location on the jobsite |
| Maintain records | 3 years minimum (recommended: 5+) |
3. Apprenticeship Requirements
| Obligation | Details |
|---|---|
| DAS 140 | File within 10 days of contract award — notifies apprenticeship committees |
| DAS 142 | File at least 72 hours before apprentices are needed — requests dispatch |
| Ratio | Minimum 1 apprentice per 5 journeymen in each applicable craft |
| Exemption | If the approved program cannot fill your request, you're exempt from the ratio |
4. Audit and Investigation Exposure
| Risk | Details |
|---|---|
| Complaint-based audits | Any worker can file a complaint with DIR |
| Random audits | DIR conducts proactive compliance audits |
| eCPR data mining | DIR can cross-reference your payroll data against wage determinations automatically |
| Awarding body reporting | Public agencies report all contract awards to DIR — so DIR knows every project you're on |
Verifying DIR Registration
For Your Own Company
- Go to dir.ca.gov/Public-Works/PublicWorksSB854.html
- Search by CSLB license number or company name
- Confirm status shows "Active" and expiration date is current
For Subcontractors
Before listing a sub in your bid or allowing them on a public project:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Search DIR's online database by sub's CSLB number |
| 2 | Confirm registration is Active |
| 3 | Confirm expiration date extends through the project duration |
| 4 | Screenshot or print the verification for your records |
| 5 | Re-verify if the project extends past June 30 (renewal date) |
DIR registration expires June 30 every year. If your project spans that date, you must re-verify that all subs have renewed. A sub that was registered when you bid the project may lapse on July 1 if they forget to renew.
SB 854: The Law Behind DIR Registration
SB 854 (2014) created the modern DIR registration system. Here's what it mandates:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| PWC registration | Required to bid on or work on public works |
| eCPR filing | All certified payroll must be submitted electronically to DIR |
| Sub listing | Subs must be registered at the time they are listed in the prime's bid |
| Awarding body duties | Public agencies must verify registration before awarding contracts |
| Project reporting | Awarding bodies must report project awards to DIR |
| Labor compliance | Awarding bodies must have a labor compliance program or contract with DIR |
What SB 854 Changed
Before SB 854 (pre-2015):
- No registration requirement
- Certified payroll submitted to the awarding body on paper
- Limited DIR visibility into public works projects
- Enforcement was reactive and slow
After SB 854:
- Registration required to even bid
- Electronic filing gives DIR real-time payroll data
- DIR can proactively identify violations
- Penalties for non-registration are severe and immediate
Penalties for DIR Non-Compliance
| Violation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Working without registration | Penalties up to $100/day per violation |
| Contract voidability | Contracts performed by unregistered contractors can be voided |
| Not filing eCPR | $100/day per worker |
| Late eCPR filing | $100/day per worker |
| Paying below prevailing wage | Back pay + $200/day per worker |
| Not employing apprentices | Civil penalty + back pay at journeyman rate |
| Falsifying certified payroll | Criminal prosecution + debarment |
| Repeat violations | Debarment from public works for up to 3 years |
The Debarment List
DIR maintains a public debarment list. Contractors on this list:
- Cannot bid on public works projects in California
- Cannot work as a subcontractor on public works
- Are publicly named (reputational damage)
- Remain on the list for up to 3 years
Check the debarment list at: dir.ca.gov/dlse/debar.html
DIR Registration vs. CSLB License
These are two separate requirements — having one doesn't satisfy the other:
| Factor | CSLB License | DIR Registration |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Legal authority to perform construction work in California | Authorization to work on public works projects |
| Required for | All construction work over $500 | Only public works projects |
| Cost | $450 application + $450 biennial renewal | $400/year |
| Administered by | Contractors State License Board | Department of Industrial Relations |
| Exam required | Yes (Law & Business + Trade) | No |
| Prerequisite | None (though WC and bond required) | Must have active CSLB license |
| Triggers | Ability to legally contract for work | eCPR filing, prevailing wage, apprenticeship obligations |
Compliance Calendar
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| June 1 | Reminder to renew DIR registration (expires June 30) |
| June 30 | DIR registration renewal deadline |
| Within 10 days of contract award | File DAS 140 with apprenticeship committee |
| 72 hours before apprentices needed | File DAS 142 request for dispatch |
| Within 30 days of each pay period | File eCPR for all public works projects |
| Monthly | Check prevailing wage rate expirations |
| Project end | Complete all final eCPR filings |
| 3+ years after project | Retain all payroll records (5+ years recommended) |
Common DIR Compliance Mistakes
| Mistake | Consequence | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Letting registration lapse on July 1 | Cannot work on public projects until renewed | Calendar the June 30 deadline with multiple reminders |
| Not verifying sub registration | Bid rejected; work stoppage; penalties | Check DIR database before listing any sub in a bid |
| Late eCPR filing | $100/day per worker adds up fast | File within 1 week of each pay period — don't wait 30 days |
| Not filing DAS forms | Apprenticeship violations and penalties | File DAS 140 immediately upon award; DAS 142 when planning crew |
| Assuming registration carries over | It doesn't — it expires every June 30 | Annual renewal is a non-negotiable calendar item |
| Registering after bid submission | Bid is non-responsive | Register before bid season starts |
Related Resources
- California Compliance Hub — Overview of all California requirements
- California Prevailing Wage & DIR — Prevailing wage rates, eCPR, and apprenticeship details
- CSLB License Guide — Contractor licensing requirements
- SB 727: Subcontractor Liability — Wage theft liability
- Government Contracts Guide — Public works bidding
- Certified Payroll Guide — WH-347 and reporting basics
DIR registration requirements and fees are subject to change. Verify current requirements at dir.ca.gov. Last reviewed: February 2026.