1. Labor Commissioner's Office

Garment Manufacturing - Frequently Asked Questions

Who must obtain a garment registration certificate?

Every person engaged in the business of garment manufacturing must register with the Labor Commissioner. California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 13630.

(a) Every employee leasing company or temporary agency that leases or otherwise provides garment manufacturers or contractors with the services of employees engaged in sewing, cutting, making, processing, repairing, finishing, assembling, or otherwise preparing any garment or article of wearing apparel or accessories designed or intended to be worn by any individual is itself engaged in garment manufacturing, and must register with and obtain a valid registration certificate from the Labor Commissioner as a contractor.

(b) Every employee leasing company or temporary agency shall provide the Labor Commissioner with written notice whenever it enters into, or terminates, an arrangement to lease or otherwise provide employees engaged in any of the above enumerated garment manufacturing operations to a garment manufacturer or contractor. This notice shall include the name and address of the garment manufacturer or contractor that was or will be a party to the arrangement, the dates from beginning to end that employees were or will be leased or otherwise provided under the arrangement, the address(es) where the employees performed or will perform the garment manufacturing operations, and the number of employees that have been or will be leased or otherwise provided to the garment manufacturer or contractor under the arrangement. This notice shall be mailed to:
Division of Labor Standards Enforcement
Licensing & Registration Unit
1515 Clay Street
Suite 401
Oakland, CA 94612.

Failure to provide this notice within ten days of the date of entering into or terminating the arrangement will constitute grounds for revocation of registration or denial of an application for registration. California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 13633.

What does the term "person" mean?

"Person" means any individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or association, and includes, but is not limited to, employers, manufacturers, jobbers, wholesalers, contractors, subcontractors, and any other person or entity engaged in the business of garment manufacturing. Labor Code Section 2671(a).

What is garment manufacturing?

"Garment manufacturing" means sewing, cutting, making, processing, repairing, finishing, assembling, or otherwise preparing any garment or any article of wearing apparel or accessories designed or intended to be worn by any individual, including, but not limited to, clothing, hats, gloves, handbags, hosiery, ties, scarfs, and belts, for sale or resale by any person or any persons contracting to have those operations performed and other operations and practices in the apparel industry as may be identified in regulations of the Department of Industrial Relations consistent with the purposes of this part. Labor Code Section 2671(b).

What is a contractor?

 "Contractor" means any person who, with the assistance of employees or others, is primarily engaged in sewing, cutting, making, processing, repairing, finishing, assembling, or otherwise preparing any garment or any article of wearing apparel or accessories designed or intended to be worn by any individual, including, but not limited to, clothing, hats, gloves, handbags, hosiery, ties, scarfs, and belts, for another person. "Contractor" includes a subcontractor that is primarily engaged in those operations. Labor Code Section 2671(d).

What are the garment registration requirements for NEW and RENEWAL applicants?

 See Important Information and Instructions for New and Renewal Applicants for Registration – Garment Manufacturing and Contractors

If I am a NEW or RENEWAL applicant, how do I obtain an application package?

 You can either:
  1. Download the package from the internet (Adobe Acrobat Reader required):
    1. Application for Registration-Garment Manufacturing Industry (acrobat small logoEnglish, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog)
    2. Declaration and Authorization to Release Information (optional) (acrobat small logoPdf)

  2. Call the Garment Hotline on a Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at (415) 703-4848 and request that a package be sent to you.

  3. Request a package by mail by sending your written request to:
    Division of Labor Standards Enforcement
    Licensing and Registration Unit
    1515 Clay Street
    Suite 401
    Oakland, CA 94612

Once I have obtained and completed the application, how do I take the exam?

 When the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement has received your completed application along with your $25.00 examination fee, you will be sent an authorization for examination letter. This letter will tell you where and when you can take the exam, and provide you with instructions of what you need to bring to the exam. Be sure to complete the application form and include your $25.00 fee and all required documents in order to avoid delays in processing.

How do I make an online payment?

Click on the title of the payment you wish to make:

Garment Registration Fees
(NEW Applicant)

Honorarios de Registracion de Ropa
(NUEVO Applicante)

Payments for Garment Registration NEW applicant registration fees.  You may also include Garment Exam fees ($25).  (Refer to pgs. 5-6 of Registration Application (DLSE 810) for fee schedule.)

Garment Registration Fees
(RENEWAL Applicant)

Honorarios de Registracion de Ropa
(Applicante de RENOVACION)

Payments for Garment Registration RENEWAL applicant registration fees.  You may also include Garment Exam fees ($25).  (Refer to pgs. 5-6 of Registration Application (DLSE 810) for fee schedule.)

Garment Exam Fees

Honorarios del Exam de Ropa

Payments for Garment Exam fees ONLY (not including Registration renewal or late fees)

Garment Bond

Fianza para la Registracion de Ropa

Select this if you are required to pay a bond in order to register your Garment Business

If I am a RENEWAL applicant, how do I obtain an application package?

 At least ninety (90) days before your current registration expires you will be sent in the mail an application package. See Labor Code section 2675(h). Be sure to complete the application form and include your fee and all required documents in order to avoid delays in processing.

November 2016