What clauses are required in a California Consulting Agreement?

California law requires specific provisions including: Independent Contractor Status (Consulting), Consulting Confidentiality with CA Protections. Contract.DIY automatically includes all mandatory clauses with proper legal citations when generating your Consulting Agreement.

What terms are prohibited in a California Consulting Agreement?

Under California law, certain provisions are void or unenforceable, including: Non-compete restriction on consultant. Contract.DIY is built to avoid these terms and will warn you if your description suggests including something that's not legally permissible.

How does Contract.DIY ensure my Consulting Agreement complies with California law?

Every generated contract goes through 5 automated compliance checks specific to California. These cover mandatory provisions, prohibited terms, proper citations, and formation requirements. Any issues are flagged before you download.

Can I use this Consulting Agreement template outside of California?

This template is specifically tailored to California law. Using it in another jurisdiction may result in missing requirements or including provisions that don't apply. We recommend generating a new contract with the correct jurisdiction selected for full compliance.

Consulting Agreement for California

Generate a consulting agreement that complies with California law — with 2 mandatory clauses and 5 compliance checks built in.

Create California Consulting Agreement Generate This Contract

Key legal considerations

You are generating a California consulting agreement. Consultants are typically independent contractors — ensure the engagement satisfies the AB 5 ABC test or qualifies for the business-to-business exemption under Cal. Lab. Code § 2776 (requires: separate business location, business license/tax ID, ability to set own rates, free to work for others, etc.). Do NOT include non-compete restrictions (void under B&P § 16600). Include confidentiality provisions with whistleblower carveouts. Address IP and work product ownership.

What's required

Mandatory clauses for a valid consulting agreement under California law.

Independent Contractor Status (Consulting)
Cal. Lab. Code §§ 2775, 2776
Consulting Confidentiality with CA Protections
Cal. Gov. Code § 12964.5

What's prohibited

Terms and provisions that are void or unenforceable under California law.

Non-compete restriction on consultant
Non-compete restrictions on consultants are void under California B&P Code § 16600.
Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 16600

Legal references

Key statutes and regulations that govern consulting agreements in California.

AB 5 Business-to-Business Exemption
Cal. Lab. Code § 2776
Exempts certain bona fide business-to-business contracting relationships from the ABC test, applying the Borello test instead.