Business and Professions Code section 18102

(a)

Except as otherwise provided by law, a hiring party shall pay a freelance worker the compensation specified by a contract for professional services:

(1)

On or before the date compensation is due pursuant to the contract.

(2)

If the contract does not specify when the hiring party shall pay, no later than 30 days after the completion of the freelance worker’s services under the contract.

(b)

Once a freelance worker has commenced performance of services under a contract, a hiring party shall not require as a condition of timely payment that the freelance worker do either of the following:

(1)

Accept less compensation than the amount of compensation specified by the contract.

(2)

Provide more goods or services or grant more intellectual property rights than agreed to in the contract.

Source: Section 18102, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=BPC§ionNum=18102.­ (updated Jan. 1, 2025; accessed Jul. 20, 2026).

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Jul. 20, 2026

§ 18102's source at ca​.gov