Certified Payroll
California certified payroll
How certified payroll works on California public works: the Department of Industrial Relations, the eCPR portal, the $1,000 threshold, the penalty schedule, and the DAS apprenticeship forms.
California certified payroll is the prevailing wage record contractors must file electronically through the Department of Industrial Relations eCPR system on public works over $1,000. Labor Code 1776 requires the records; Labor Code 1775 penalizes underpayment up to $200 per day per worker. California rates update twice a year, on February 22 and August 22.
- Agency
- Department of Industrial Relations (DIR)
- Threshold (Labor Code 1771)
- Public works over $1,000
- Filing (Labor Code 1776)
- eCPR portal, at least every 30 days
- Underpayment penalty (Labor Code 1775)
- Up to $200 per day, per worker
Who and when
Who must file, and the $1,000 threshold
California prevailing wage applies to public works over $1,000 under Labor Code 1771, a far lower threshold than the federal $2,000, so nearly every public job is covered. Every contractor and subcontractor on a covered project must keep accurate certified payroll records under Labor Code 1776 and, on projects subject to compliance monitoring, submit them electronically to the DIR.
Contractors also have to be registered with the DIR to bid or work on public works. Registration and certified payroll are separate obligations, and both are enforced, so being registered does not excuse a missing payroll and filing payroll does not substitute for registration.
The portal
Filing through DIR eCPR
California moved certified payroll online. On DIR-monitored public works, contractors submit records through the electronic certified payroll reporting system, eCPR, on the DIR website, either by entering data directly or uploading from compatible payroll software. Reports are expected at least every 30 days, and more often is fine.
The records must show, for each worker, the name, address, classification, straight-time and overtime hours by day and week, and the actual per diem wages paid. Under Labor Code 1776, if the DIR or the awarding body makes a written request for records, the contractor has 10 days to produce them.
The cost of getting it wrong
California penalty schedule
Underpaying prevailing wage carries a penalty of up to $200 per calendar day for each worker paid less than the required rate under Labor Code 1775, on top of the back wages owed. The penalty is tiered by fault: it can be reduced for a good-faith mistake that is promptly corrected and is set higher for repeat or willful violations.
Failing to produce certified payroll records after a written request adds a separate penalty of $100 per calendar day, per worker, until the records are provided, under Labor Code 1776. Because these penalties run per worker and per day, a small crew on a short project can accumulate a large exposure quickly.
Apprenticeship
The DAS 140 and DAS 142 apprenticeship forms
File the DAS 140 within 10 days
Submit the Contract Award Information form to the applicable apprenticeship committees within 10 days of the contract award, and no later than the first day workers are on site.
Request apprentices with the DAS 142
Send the DAS 142 request for dispatch of apprentices at least 72 hours before they are needed on the project, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (8 CCR 230.1).
Meet the 1:5 ratio
Employ at least one hour of apprentice work for every five hours of journeyman work in each apprenticeable craft.
Report on certified payroll
Record apprentices at the correct apprentice wage and step on the eCPR, matching the dispatch and the ratio.
The rates
How California rates update and where to look
The DIR issues general prevailing wage determinations twice a year, on February 22 and August 22, and each set takes effect about ten days after issuance. The determination in effect when the contract is bid or awarded governs the project, so you apply the rate locked to the job, not whatever the latest publication says.
To find a rate, use the Office of the Director, Research determinations on the DIR website, selecting the county and the craft classification. Each determination lists the base rate, the fringe amounts, and the overtime and holiday rules for that classification and locality.
Frequently asked questions
What is the certified payroll threshold in California?
One thousand dollars. California prevailing wage and certified payroll apply to public works projects over $1,000 under Labor Code 1771, lower than the $2,000 federal Davis-Bacon threshold, so almost every public job is covered.
How do I file certified payroll in California?
On DIR-monitored public works, you file electronically through the DIR eCPR system on the DIR website, either entering data directly or uploading from payroll software. Reports are expected at least every 30 days.
What is the penalty for a certified payroll violation in California?
Underpaying prevailing wage carries up to $200 per day per worker under Labor Code 1775, plus back wages. Failing to produce records after a written request adds $100 per day per worker under Labor Code 1776 until you comply.
What is the DAS 140 deadline?
The DAS 140 Contract Award Information must be sent to the applicable apprenticeship committees within 10 days of the contract award, and in no event later than the first day the contractor has workers on the public works project.
What is the difference between the DAS 140 and DAS 142?
The DAS 140 notifies apprenticeship committees that you were awarded the contract. The DAS 142 is the actual request to dispatch apprentices to the job. Under 8 CCR 230.1(a) it must be submitted at least 72 hours before apprentices are needed, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
What is the California apprentice ratio?
One to five. On public works, a contractor must employ at least one hour of apprentice work for every five hours of journeyman work in each apprenticeable craft, which is a 20 percent ratio.
How often does California update prevailing wage rates?
The DIR issues general determinations twice a year, on February 22 and August 22, effective about ten days later. The determination in effect when your contract is bid or awarded governs the project.
Do I need to register with the DIR to do public works in California?
Yes. Contractors and subcontractors generally must be registered with the DIR to bid on or perform public works. Registration is separate from certified payroll, and both are enforced independently.
Built for California DIR compliance
Buildalytic resolves the right DIR determination by county and craft, checks each eCPR line against it, verifies the apprentice ratio, and flags Labor Code 1775 and 1776 exposure before you file.