The California contractors license exam is the state test the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) requires for applicants who do not qualify for an exemption. It has two computerized, multiple-choice parts taken at a PSI test center: a Law and Business exam of 115 questions and a Trade exam of 100 to 120 questions based on the classification you apply for. Both are closed book. After CSLB accepts your application, you schedule with PSI and receive a printed pass or fail report before leaving the center.
Exam at a glance: Two parts, Law and Business (115 questions) plus your Trade exam (100 to 120 questions). Computerized and closed book at PSI. Results are given the same day, and applicants have 18 months from application acceptance to pass.
The exams test your knowledge of California contracting law and the work covered by your trade. Questions are multiple choice with A, B, C, or D answer options.
Law and Business exam. This 115-question section covers contracts, finances, safety, labor, and licensing law.
Trade exam. This section has 100 to 120 questions matched to the license classifications you apply for. Some applicants qualify for exam exemptions.
Exams run Monday through Saturday at PSI centers, except major holidays. Allow roughly 3 to 6 weeks as a planning estimate; actual timing depends on CSLB application processing and PSI appointment availability. Once CSLB accepts your application and refers you for testing, schedule directly with PSI. You receive a printed pass or fail result the same day.
Northern California: Fresno, Redding, Sacramento, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Santa Rosa, Union City, Walnut Creek.
Southern California: Agoura Hills, Atascadero, Bakersfield, Carson, Diamond Bar, El Monte/Santa Fe Springs, Irvine, Lawndale, Riverside, San Diego, Ventura, Visalia.
Check PSI exam scheduling for current locations and available dates. Review the CSLB examination FAQ for official testing policies.
Structured prep helps you study the exam material. Contractors Intelligence School offers a full online contractor license course, a live streaming course, in-class sessions, and traditional home study, all built around the CSLB Law and Trade material. Reinforce your studying with timed practice exams, and review the full contractors license requirements and current California contractor license fees before you schedule your test.
Includes online access to Law & Trade videos, audio, reading and practice exams
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The exam has two computerized, multiple-choice parts taken at a PSI center. The Law and Business exam has 115 questions on contracts, finances, safety, labor, and licensing law. The Trade exam has 100 to 120 questions matched to your license classification. Both are closed book, and you receive a printed pass or fail report before you leave the test center. Some applicants qualify for exam exemptions.
The Law and Business exam has 115 questions. The Trade exam has between 100 and 120 questions, depending on the classification you apply for. Both sections are multiple choice with A, B, C, or D answer options and are taken on a computer at a PSI testing center.
The CSLB does not publish a single passing percentage for all exams. At the end of your exam you are handed a printed report that shows whether you passed or failed. A passing report does not list your score, while a failing report shows how many items you answered correctly so you know where to focus for a retake.
Allow roughly 3 to 6 weeks as a planning estimate, not a guaranteed exam date. Once CSLB accepts your application and refers you for testing, you schedule directly with PSI. Actual timing depends on application processing and appointment availability. You have 18 months after application acceptance to pass your required exams.
Exams are given Monday through Saturday at PSI centers across California, except major holidays. Northern California locations include Sacramento, San Francisco, Fresno, Santa Clara, and Redding. Southern California locations include Riverside, San Diego, El Monte/Santa Fe Springs, Bakersfield, and Ventura, among others. Check PSI for current locations and appointment availability.
No. The California contractors license exams are closed book. You cannot bring textbooks, notes, reading materials, or personal calculators into the testing room. Because you study everything in advance, structured prep and timed practice exams make a real difference on test day.
You can retake the exam after 21 calendar days, as long as you are still inside your 18-month application window. You contact PSI to pay the re-examination fee and reschedule. Reviewing the California contractor license fees and your weak areas before you rebook helps you prepare for the next attempt.
Structured study helps you prepare. Contractors Intelligence School offers a full online contractor license course, a live streaming course, in-class sessions, and home study, all built around the CSLB Law and Trade material. Pair your course with timed practice exams to build speed and confidence before test day.
