How to Fill Out DOT CEM-2503

DOT CEM-2503 at a glance

What it is: DOT CEM-2503 (REV 12/2025) is the STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE of the STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

Who signs: Print the NAME (PLEASE PRINT) and the TITLE, then SIGN and enter the DATE.

You certify under penalty of perjury: (1) That you pay or supervise payment to employees of the contractor referenced on this form on the contract referenced on this form.

This statement of compliance meets needs of the state and federal payroll requirements to pay fringe benefits in addition to payment of the minimum rates.

A filled-in DOT CEM-2503 example: a state wage job with fringes paid to plans

DOT CEM-2503 example filled out, example: a state wage job with fringes paid to plans
A paving subcontractor certifies one weekly payroll on the DOT CEM-2503. It pays State Prevailing Wage Rates and fringes to approved plans, so 2(b) and 4(a) are ticked. The picture shows the form filled in, and none of its entries is real. Paragraph 2(a) is left blank because the job is paid at State Prevailing Wage Rates. The fringe benefits box 4(b) is left blank because all of them go to approved plans. Nothing goes in Section 4(c), Exception and Explanation, because no exception is noted. REMARKS stays empty because there is nothing to add.

How to fill out DOT CEM-2503, box by box

Contractor or subcontractor, contract number, numbers and pay period

DOT CEM-2503 example filled out, contractor or subcontractor, contract number, numbers and pay period

Enter the CONTRACTOR OR SUBCONTRACTOR, the CONTRACT NUMBER, the CONTRACTORS STATE LICENSE BOARD NUMBER and the DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS REGISTRATION NUMBER.

Enter the FIRST DAY AND DATE OF PAY PERIOD and the LAST DAY AND DATE OF PAY PERIOD.

Paragraph 2: wage rates, 2(a) or 2(b)

DOT CEM-2503 example filled out, paragraph 2: wage rates, 2(a) or 2(b)

A contractor required to pay Federal Wage Rates must check paragraph 2(a) to indicate that the wage rates for laborers or mechanics contained in the payroll are not less than the applicable wage rates specified in the applicable wage determination incorporated into the contract.

A contractor required to pay the State Prevailing Wage Rates as determined by the Director of Industrial Relations must check paragraph 2(b) to indicate that the wage rates for laborers or mechanics contained in the payroll are not less than the applicable wage rates determined by the Director of Industrial Relations for the county or counties in which the work is performed.

Paragraph 4: fringe benefits, 4(a) or 4(b)

DOT CEM-2503 example filled out, paragraph 4: fringe benefits, 4(a) or 4(b)

A contractor who pays fringe benefits to approved plans, funds, or programs in amounts not less than were determined in the applicable wage decisions must check paragraph 4(a) to indicate that he or she is also paying approved plans, funds, or programs within the times required for the receipt of those sums, not less than the amount predetermined as fringe benefits for each craft. Any exception must be noted in Section 4(c).

(4)(a) Fringe benefits as listed in the contract have been or will be paid to the approved plan(s), fund(s), or program(s) for the benefit of listed employee(s), except as noted in the following table.

(4)(b) Fringe benefits as listed in the contract have been paid directly to the listed employee(s), except as noted in the following table.

A contractor who does not pay fringe benefits to an approved plan must pay a like amount to the employee, and must check paragraph 4(b) to indicate that he or she is paying fringe benefits directly to his or her employees. Any exceptions must be noted in Section 4(c).

Section 4(c): Exception and Explanation

DOT CEM-2503 example filled out, section 4(c): Exception and Explanation

Any exceptions to Section 4(a) and 4(b), whichever the contractor may check, must be entered in Section 4(c).

(4)(c) See exceptions noted in the following table.

In Section 4(c), Exceptions: any contractor who is making payment to approved plans, funds, or programs in amounts less than the wage determination required is obligated to pay the deficiency directly to the employees as wages instead of fringes.

Enter in the Exception column the craft, and enter in the Explanation column the hourly amount paid the employees as wages instead of fringes, and the hourly amount paid to plans, funds, or programs as fringes (see United States Code, Title 18, Section 1001 and Title 31, Section 3729).

Name (please print), title, sign and date

DOT CEM-2503 example filled out, name (please print), title, sign and date

Print the NAME (PLEASE PRINT) and the TITLE, then SIGN and enter the DATE.

By providing your electronic signature for this form, you agree to conduct business transactions by electronic means and that your electronic signature is the legal binding equivalent to your handwritten signature.

Your electronic signature represents your execution or authentication of this form, and your intent to be bound by it.

More rules for DOT CEM-2503

You certify that any payrolls otherwise under your control required to be submitted for the period referenced on this form are correct and complete.

You certify that the classification set forth for each laborer or mechanic conforms with the work he or she performed.

You certify that any apprentices employed in the period referenced on this form are duly registered in a bona fide apprenticeship program registered with a State apprenticeship agency.

The contractor's obligation to pay fringe benefits may be met by payment of the fringes to the various preapproved plans, funds, or programs or by making these payments directly to the employees as part of their weekly wage payments.

The contractor must show on the face of his or her payroll all monies paid to the employees whether as basic rates or total hourly wage amount instead of fringes.

The contractor must report in the statement of compliance that he or she is paying to others fringes required by the contract and not paid directly to the employees instead of fringes.

On federally-funded projects, permissible deductions are defined in Code of Federal Regulations, Title 29, Part 3.

Common questions about DOT CEM-2503

Is there a penalty?

The willful falsification of any of the above statements may subject the contractor or subcontractor to civil or criminal prosecution (see United States Code, Title 18, Section 1001 and Title 31, Section 3729).

What am I certifying when I sign?

You certify that all persons employed on said project for the time period referenced on this form have been paid their full weekly wages earned, that no rebates have been or will be made either directly or indirectly to or on behalf of said contractor from the full weekly wages earned by any person and that no deductions have been made either directly or indirectly from the full wages earned by any person other than permissible deductions.

Sources

[1] DOT CEM-2503 (REV 12/2025), Statement of Compliance, California Department of Transportation (the Official source link on this page).

Statement Of Compliance Form PDF Details

In ensuring fair labor practices and adherence to prevailing wage laws, the Statement of Compliance form (CEM-2503) serves as a critical tool utilized by contractors and subcontractors engaged in projects under the oversight of the State of California's Department of Transportation. By certifying under penalty of perjury, the individual signing the document attests to several key aspects of wage compliance. This includes the assurance that all employees have received their rightful wages for the specified pay period, without any unauthorized deductions or rebates. It further verifies the accuracy of submitted payrolls, compliance with minimum wage rates as per state or federal guidelines, and proper classification of laborers and mechanics according to the work performed. The form also addresses the provision of fringe benefits, outlining the mechanisms through which these are paid—either directly to employees or into approved plans, funds, or programs. For projects funded by federal resources, it references compliance with regulations set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations, underscoring the legal ramifications of falsifying any declarations made within. Accommodative measures are suggested for individuals with sensory disabilities, ensuring broad accessibility of this crucial compliance document. Whether ensuring wages are at or above determined rates, or detailing the calculation and payment of fringe benefits, this form encapsulates a comprehensive approach to maintaining labor rights and standards on projects within California.

QuestionAnswer
Form NameStatement Of Compliance Form
Form Length3 pages
Fillable?Yes
Fillable fields20
Avg. time to fill out30 sec
Other namescalifornia statement compliance, statement of compliance form, compliance california form, california form statement compliance