CA Pub Cont Code Section 3300

(a)

Any public entity, as defined in Section 1100, the University of California, and the California State University shall specify the classification of the contractor’s license which a contractor shall possess at the time a contract is awarded. The specification shall be included in any plans prepared for a public project and in any notice inviting bids required pursuant to this code. This requirement shall apply only with respect to contractors who contract directly with the public entity.

(b)

A contractor who is not awarded a public contract because of the failure of an entity, as defined in subdivision (a), to comply with that subdivision shall not receive damages for the loss of the contract.