Short answer: On California public works, every contractor and subcontractor submits certified payroll records electronically to the Labor Commissioner through DIR’s eCPR system, at least monthly (within a month after the end of the payroll period) or more often if the contract requires it. Small projects up to $25,000 for construction or $15,000 for maintenance are exempt, as are projects under a qualifying project labor agreement and those monitored by a legacy labor compliance programme such as Caltrans’. Every worker must be paid the prevailing wage for their craft and county, and contracts of $30,000 or more carry apprenticeship requirements.
Why certified payroll decides whether you get paid
Winning the bid is half the job. Certified payroll mistakes lead to withheld progress payments and penalty assessments on work you have already done. Open wage or penalty assessments can also get in the way of your DIR registration, and without DIR registration you cannot bid public works at all. Primes can share responsibility for their subcontractors’ prevailing wage violations, so a clean compliance record also makes you the subcontractor primes want to call back.
What we do
- Set up your DIR eCPR account and your project records
- Check each worker’s classification against the right prevailing wage determination for the craft, the county and the date the project was advertised
- Review payroll from your payroll provider before it goes in: rates, fringe benefits, hours, overtime and deductions
- Prepare and submit certified payroll records through eCPR, by web form or XML upload
- File DAS 140 contract award notices and DAS 142 apprentice requests, track the one-to-five apprentice ratio, and make sure training fund contributions are paid
- Keep records ready for requests from the awarding body or the Labor Commissioner
- For primes: check that subcontractors are registered and submitting
Who this is for
- Contractors taking on their first public works job
- Subcontractors whose primes are asking for compliance paperwork
- Firms whose payroll provider does not handle California certified payroll
- Owners who would rather spend their evenings bidding the next job than fixing payroll reports
What we do not do
We are not a payroll company. We do not run your payroll or handle wages. We work alongside your payroll provider or bookkeeper so what is submitted to DIR is correct and on time. If you are already facing a wage claim or penalty assessment, we organise the records and work with your attorney.
Frequently asked questions
How often do I submit certified payroll in California?
At least monthly, within a month after the end of the payroll period, or more often if your contract with the awarding body requires it. Submissions go to the Labor Commissioner through DIR’s eCPR system.
Which public works projects are exempt from eCPR?
Projects up to $25,000 for new construction, alteration, installation, demolition or repair, or $15,000 for maintenance; projects covered by a qualifying project labor agreement; and projects monitored by a legacy labor compliance programme such as Caltrans’.
Do subcontractors submit their own certified payroll?
Yes. All contractors and subcontractors on a covered public works project submit electronic certified payroll records to the Labor Commissioner.
When do apprenticeship requirements apply?
On public works contracts of $30,000 or more, unless the craft does not require apprentices. You file DAS 140 contract award information, request apprentices with DAS 142 at least three business days before they are needed, employ one hour of apprentice work for every five journeyman hours, and pay training fund contributions.
Can you work with my current payroll company?
Yes. You keep your payroll provider. We check the numbers against the prevailing wage requirements and handle the DIR submissions and apprenticeship paperwork.
Related: how to bid on public works projects in California and government contracting for engineering and construction firms. Requirements checked September 2026 against DIR guidance.
Get your certified payroll right from the first job
Book a free 15-minute compliance check →
Or call (909) 454-7076 · info@gercconsulting.com
GERC is a woman-owned firm based in San Bernardino, certified by the State of California as a Small Business (Micro) and Small Business for Public Works. We work with firms across California.