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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 review concepts for the CA General Contractor exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 212+ 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 approximately 115 multiple-choice questions administered by PSI. Candidates are given several hours to complete the exam (commonly about 3 hours; the exact timing is stated on the Notice to Appear / Candidate Information Bulletin). Per the official CSLB Law and Business Study Guide, major weights include Contract Requirements and Execution (21%), Employment Requirements (20%), and Business Finances (15%).
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. Active timely renewal is $450 for sole owners and $700 for non-sole owners (CSLB fee schedule); C-10 electrical renewals include a small surcharge. Contractors must maintain bond and insurance requirements throughout the license period. Late (delinquent) renewals incur additional penalty fees.

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.

Exam sponsor: California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

120 questions

Time Limit

3.5 hours

Passing Score

70%

Exam / Certification Fees

$450

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: 55%. estimated first-time pass rate This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

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

Preparing for the CA General Contractor Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Exam length: 120 questions
  • Time limit: 3.5 hours
  • Exam / certification fees: $450 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 212 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CA General Contractor: Suggested Study Strategy

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.