If you recruit, hire, or furnish agricultural workers in California for a fee, you're a farm labor contractor — and California requires a state license bond. If you also file your own H-2A petitions, a separate federal bond applies too. We write both, fast.
Yes. California requires a state farm labor contractor license bond under Labor Code §1684, currently $25,000–$75,000 tiered by annual payroll (≤$500k / $500k–$2M / over $2M; new applicants $25,000), plus an exam and continuing education. Amounts and the calculation basis are the subject of pending legislation (AB-2227) — verify the current requirement with the California Labor Commissioner (DIR-DLSE) before you file.
Any farm labor contractor — in California or anywhere else — who files their own H-2A Application for Temporary Employment Certification (ETA-9142A) must post a surety bond under 20 CFR 655.132. The base amount is set by the number of workers on your certification:
| H-2A workers | Base bond |
|---|---|
| Fewer than 25 | $5,000 |
| 25 – 49 | $10,000 |
| 50 – 74 | $20,000 |
| 75 – 99 | $50,000 |
| 100 – 149 | $75,000 |
Important: those are base figures only. The amount you actually post is adjusted by the wage rate — base × (average AEWR ÷ $9.25) — so it's higher than the base and changes every year, with further increases above 150 workers. Always verify your current amount with US DOL/OFLC at the time of filing.
The AEWR is set by US DOL and changes yearly by state. Look up the current California AEWR →
California agriculture runs on fruits, nuts, vegetables, dairy, wine grapes and nursery stock — and it's by far the largest agricultural employer and H-2A/FLC market in the country. Whether you run a crew of a dozen or several hundred, we write the surety bond you need to operate legally and file your H-2A paperwork, and we do it fast, in California and all 50 states. One licensed agent handles your bond, your workers' comp, and your general liability — so you're covered end to end.
See also: Farm Labor Contractor & H-2A Bonds overview · Farm & H-2A workers' comp
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