The license is required for installation, if you install without a license they don't have to pay you legally.
If you deliver goods but don't install you have material lien rights.
If you wrap the cabinets and installation together in a proposal then they don't have to pay for any of it if you aren't licensed. If they follow the link below, sign your contract and don't pay you and you don't have a license your are out of luck.
Somewhere down the line you might have a 20 or 40k job but not get it because the other guy installs and told them how important it is for the shop to install to maintain quality.
"(a) Except as provided in subdivision (e), no person engaged in the business or acting in the capacity of a contractor, may bring or maintain any action, or recover in law or equity in any action, in any court of this state for the collection of compensation for the performance of any act or contract where a license is required by this chapter without alleging that he or she was a duly licensed contractor at all times during the performance of that act or contract, regardless of the merits of the cause of action brought by the person, except that this prohibition shall not apply to contractors who are each individually licensed under this chapter but who fail to comply with Section 7029." (Italics and emphasis added)
B. Contractors who are Not Properly Licensed can be Ordered to Refund Everything That They Were Paid by the Other Party.