If I own a tile shop and subcontract the work do I need a contractors license for that
If you are contracting with the owner to install the material, you need a license, even if you hire a subcontractor to do the actual work. Bus. & Prof. Code, § 7045 exempts material suppliers who do not install or contract for the installation of the material. In your case, it sounds like you are contracting to install the tile. The penalties for contracting without a license are severe: you can't sue to collect any money you are owed and the homeowner can sue you to recover all money they paid you. So your safest bet is to have the homowoner sign the contract with the subcontractor directly and you supply the material only.