Exam Questions
Law & Business
115
Trade
100–120
Computer-based, multiple choice.
California Contractors License Exams
Required to Pass
Law & Business Exam
Contracts, finances, safety, labor, and licensing law.
Required for all classifications.Trade Exam
Matched to your license classification.
Not required for C-61 Limited Specialty classifications.About the Tests
Closed-Book
No textbooks, notes, or reference materials during testing.
Testing Time
3.5 hours for each exam.
Passing Scores
Vary by Exam: ≈ 60%–70%
Passing requirements are set by CSLB.Instant Results
Receive a printed pass or fail report before leaving the testing center.
Schedule with PSI
After CSLB accepts your application and refers you for testing, you would schedule your exam(s) with a PSI testing center. Appointments are available throughout California typically Monday–Saturday, except for major holidays.
Your Exam Window
You have 18 months from application acceptance to pass your required exams. If you don’t pass, you can continue to retake the exam, waiting at least 21 calendar days between attempts, within your 18-month eligibility period.
Visit CSLB Exam InformationFrequently Asked Questions
What is on the California contractor license exam?
Most applicants take two closed-book, multiple-choice exams at a PSI testing center: the Law and Business exam (115 questions) and a trade exam for their classification (100 to 120 questions). C-61 Limited Specialty applicants take only the Law and Business exam.
What score do I need to pass the CSLB exam?
The CSLB requires applicants to achieve a minimum passing score on each examination. Based on feedback and examination score reports shared by students, the Law and Business examination currently requires a 65% passing score, while trade examination passing scores vary by license classification, ranging from 63% to 72%. However, the CSLB does not publish a universal passing score for all examinations.
How many times can I retake the contractor license exam?
You can retake a failed exam as many times as you need within your 18-month eligibility period, waiting at least 21 calendar days between attempts. Each retake costs $51.43.
Have questions about the exams? Call 1-800-425-7570
