100+ Free CA General Contractor Practice Questions

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What is the California requirement for asbestos notification before renovation or demolition?

The South Coast AQMD (or applicable air district) must be notified before renovation or demolition of buildings that may contain asbestos

No notification required

Only for buildings over 50 years old

Only the building department must be notified

to track

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Free General Contractor Practice Test by State 2026: 3,300+ Questions24 min read

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CA General Contractor Exam

70%

Passing Score

State Board

120 Q

Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep

3.5 hrs

Exam Time

State Board

Not Accepted

NASCLA

State Board

4 years

Experience Required

State Board

California requires general contractors to pass a state Business & Law exam. The exam covers CA licensing law, contract law, lien law, bonds, insurance, safety codes, and business management.

Sample CA General Contractor Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CA General Contractor exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which agency manages contractor licensing in California?

A.California Department of Consumer Affairs

B.Contractors State License Board (CSLB)

C.California Building Standards Commission

D.California Division of Labor Standards

Explanation: The Contractors State License Board (CSLB), a division of the California Department of Consumer Affairs, manages all contractor licensing in California. The CSLB issues licenses, investigates complaints, and enforces the Contractors State License Law.

2What is the minimum project cost that requires a contractor license in California?

A.$500

B.$750

C.$1,000

D.$2,500

Explanation: As of January 1, 2025, California requires a contractor license for projects where the total cost (labor and materials combined) is $1,000 or more. This threshold was raised from the previous $500 limit by AB 2622. Operating without a license above this threshold is a misdemeanor.

3What license classification is a 'General Building Contractor' in California?

A.Class A

B.Class B

C.Class C

D.Class D

Explanation: A General Building Contractor holds a Class B license in California. Class B license holders may manage projects involving two or more unrelated building trades or crafts. Class A is for General Engineering, and Class C covers specialty contractors.

4How many exams must a California contractor applicant pass?

A.One — the Law and Business exam only

B.Two — the Law and Business exam and the Trade exam

C.Three — Law, Business, and Safety exams

D.Four — Law, Business, Trade, and Ethics exams

Explanation: California contractor applicants must pass two proctored, multiple-choice exams: the Law and Business exam (covering contractor licensing law, business management, and employment requirements) and the Trade exam specific to their classification (such as Class B General Building).

5How many questions are on the California Law and Business exam?

A.75 questions

B.100 questions

C.115 questions

D.150 questions

Explanation: The California Law and Business exam consists of 115 multiple-choice questions with a time limit of 3.5 hours. The exam covers the Contractors License Law and Reference Book, with key areas including contract execution (21%), business finances (15%), and employment requirements (20%).

6What is the application fee for an original California contractor license?

A.$200

B.$300

C.$450

D.$600

Explanation: The application fee for an original California contractor license is $450, which is non-refundable. This fee covers one classification. Exam fees are paid separately directly to PSI, the exam vendor, at $51.43 per exam ($102.86 total for both exams).

7What is the minimum experience required to qualify for a California contractor license?

A.2 years

B.3 years

C.4 years of journey-level experience within the last 10 years

D.5 years

Explanation: California requires at least four years of journey-level experience within the last 10 years in the classification being applied for. Education from accredited programs may substitute up to 3 years, but at least 1 year of practical experience is mandatory.

8What is the required contractor bond amount in California?

A.$10,000

B.$15,000

C.$25,000

D.$50,000

Explanation: California requires all active licensed contractors to maintain a $25,000 contractor bond or equivalent cash deposit. This bond protects consumers if the contractor fails to pay obligations or perform work properly. The bond must remain active throughout the license period.

9What additional bond is required for California LLC contractors?

A.$25,000

B.$50,000

C.$100,000 LLC employee/worker bond

D.$200,000

Explanation: California LLCs holding a contractor license must maintain an additional $100,000 LLC employee/worker bond in addition to the standard $25,000 contractor bond. This additional bond provides extra protection for employees and workers of the LLC.

10How often must a California contractor license be renewed?

A.Annually

B.Every 2 years

C.Every 3 years

D.Every 5 years

Explanation: California contractor licenses must be renewed every 2 years. The renewal fee is $450. Contractors must maintain their bond and insurance requirements throughout the license period. Late renewal may result in additional fees and potential license suspension.

About the CA General Contractor Exam

The California general contractor exam covers state licensing law, construction contract law, mechanics lien law, bonding and insurance requirements, OSHA safety, building codes, project management, and business practices.

Questions

120 scored questions

Time Limit

3.5 hours

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

$450 (California Contractors State License Board (CSLB))

CA General Contractor Exam Content Outline

30%

Business & Law

California licensing statutes, contractor law, lien law, bonds, insurance, penalties

25%

Contract Law

Construction contracts, change orders, disputes, subcontractor agreements

20%

Safety & Codes

OSHA requirements, building codes, permits, inspections

15%

Project Management

Scheduling, estimating, supervision, quality control

10%

Financial

Accounting, taxes, payroll, financial statements, insurance

How to Pass the CA General Contractor Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 70%
Exam length: 120 questions
Time limit: 3.5 hours
Exam fee: $450

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CA General Contractor Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master California's contractor licensing laws and regulations

2Study mechanics lien law — filing deadlines and requirements are heavily tested

3Know bond types: bid bonds, performance bonds, payment bonds

4Review OSHA safety requirements and penalties

5Understand construction contract terms and change order procedures

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the California general contractor exam cover?

The CA GC exam covers state contractor licensing law, construction contracts, mechanics lien law, bonding, insurance, OSHA safety, building codes, and business management.

What is the passing score for the CA GC exam?

A minimum score of 70% is required to pass the California general contractor licensing exam.

Does California accept the NASCLA exam?

California does not currently accept the NASCLA accredited exam. You must take the California-specific contractor licensing exam.

What experience is needed for a California contractor license?

California typically requires 4 years of verifiable construction experience before applying for a general contractor license.