100+ Free CSLB C-54 Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CSLB C-54 Exam

33%

Installation & Repairs

CSLB Study Guide

18%

Planning & Safety

CSLB Study Guide

3.5

Hours allowed

PSI Exams

$450

Application Fee

CSLB

4 Years

Experience Req

CSLB

The CSLB C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile examination is a 3.5-hour closed-book, multiple-choice test administered by PSI. It requires 4 years of journey-level experience and a $450 application fee. The exam covers planning, substrate preparation, installation and repairs, specialty installations, and safety.

Sample CSLB C-54 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CSLB C-54 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A tiled area is drawn 3 inches by 5 inches on a plan with a scale of 1/4 inch = 1 foot. How many square feet of tile are required?

A.15 sq ft

B.60 sq ft

C.240 sq ft

D.960 sq ft

Explanation: At 1/4 inch = 1 foot, every inch on the plan is 4 feet. The area is 3 × 4 = 12 ft by 5 × 4 = 20 ft, so 12 × 20 = 240 sq ft.

2A floor measures 12 ft by 15 ft. How many square feet of tile are needed, before adding waste?

A.170 sq ft

B.180 sq ft

C.190 sq ft

D.160 sq ft

Explanation: 12 × 15 = 180 sq ft of net floor area before any waste allowance is added.

3A wall is 8 ft high by 20 ft long. Adding a 10% waste factor, how many square feet of tile should be ordered?

A.160 sq ft

B.170 sq ft

C.176 sq ft

D.186 sq ft

Explanation: 8 × 20 = 160 sq ft; with 10% waste, 160 × 1.10 = 176 sq ft to order.

4When reviewing plans and specs before bidding, what is the PRIMARY purpose of a site visit?

A.To begin demolition early

B.To verify existing conditions that affect the bid

C.To choose tile colors for the owner

D.To install mock-up panels

Explanation: A pre-bid site visit confirms actual field conditions—substrate flatness, access, moisture—so the bid reflects real conditions. Bid decisions rely on verified field conditions, not aesthetic choices.

5A specification calls for 2 ft × 2 ft porcelain tile on a 3,000 sq ft floor. How many whole tiles are needed with no waste?

A.750

B.1,500

C.3,000

D.6,000

Explanation: Each tile covers 4 sq ft (2 × 2). 3,000 ÷ 4 = 750 whole tiles with no waste allowance.

6While taking off a tile bid, the estimator finds that the finish schedule calls for a porcelain tile but the drawing note on the same room calls for natural stone. What should the estimator do?

A.Bid the cheaper of the two materials and note the assumption on the bid form

B.Submit a written request for information before bid, and bid whatever the resulting addendum states

C.Bid the more expensive material, because the higher price protects the contractor

D.Bid the drawing note, because drawings always govern over the written specifications

Explanation: A conflict between two contract documents is resolved by the party that issued them, not by the bidder. Submitting a written RFI before the bid date forces the designer to issue an addendum that binds every bidder to the same scope, which keeps the bids comparable and keeps the contractor off the hook for the difference. Order-of-precedence clauses vary from contract to contract, so guessing which document wins is a gamble on money the contractor may not recover.

7Tile is priced at $3.50 per sq ft. For 500 sq ft with 12% waste, what is the material cost?

A.$1,750

B.$1,960

C.$2,100

D.$1,820

Explanation: 500 × 1.12 = 560 sq ft; 560 × $3.50 = $1,960 for tile material including waste.

8Under the ANSI A108 installation standards, what determines the minimum grout joint width for a given tile?

A.At least three times the actual variation in the facial dimensions of the tile supplied

B.A fixed 1/8 inch for every tile, regardless of the product

C.A fixed 1/16 inch for every rectified tile, regardless of the product

D.Whatever width the spacers packed with the tile happen to produce

Explanation: ANSI ties joint width to the tile itself: the joint must be at least three times the actual variation in the tile's facial dimensions, so that size differences between pieces can be absorbed without visible misalignment. Rectified tile has little variation and therefore tolerates narrow joints; pressed tile with more variation needs a wider joint.

9Which tile type typically requires sealing before grouting to protect the surface?

A.Glazed ceramic wall tile

B.Crackle-glazed tile

C.Porcelain floor tile

D.Quarry tile

Explanation: Crackle-glazed tile has a network of fine surface cracks that can trap grout and stain, so it must be sealed before grouting. The sealing protects the crazed surface from permanent discoloration.

10When estimating thin-set mortar, what coverage does a 50-lb bag of modified thinset typically yield at 1/4-inch notch?

A.About 75 sq ft

B.About 95 sq ft

C.About 120 sq ft

D.About 150 sq ft

Explanation: A 50-lb bag of modified thinset typically covers about 90-100 sq ft at a 1/4 × 1/4-inch notch trowel. Coverage varies with substrate flatness and trowel size.

About the CSLB C-54 Exam

The C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile exam assesses the knowledge and skills necessary to plan, prepare substrates, install, repair, and finish ceramic, mosaic, and stone tile surfaces.

Assessment

Question count not published by the exam provider

Time Limit

3.5 hours

Passing Score

Disclosed at test site

Exam Fee

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

CSLB C-54 Exam Content Outline

18%

Planning and Estimating

Review plans and specifications, select materials, and estimate material quantities and costs.

16%

Preparation for Tile and Stone Installation

Demolition, disposal, and job site preparation; substrate preparation; membranes and barriers.

33%

Installation and Repairs

Install tile and stone, joint treatment, repairs and restoration, showers and steam rooms.

15%

Specialty Installations

Specialty tile installation, stone slab and countertop installation, accessories.

18%

Safety

Personnel safety and job site safety per Cal/OSHA Title 8.

How to Pass the CSLB C-54 Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Disclosed at test site
Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
Time limit: 3.5 hours
Exam fee: $450 application fee

Keys to Passing

Work through all 100 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
Track weak areas and revisit them
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CSLB C-54 Study Tips from Top Performers

1Review ANSI A108/A118/A136.1 specifications and the TCNA Handbook for ceramic, glass, and stone tile installation details.

2Practice scale-drawing takeoffs: convert plan dimensions at a given scale to actual square footage of tile needed.

3Know which tile types require sealing before grouting (e.g., crackle-glazed) versus vitreous and ceramic bodies.

4Study substrate preparation, waterproofing membranes, and shower/steam room installation requirements.

5Familiarize yourself with Cal/OSHA Title 8 personnel and job site safety provisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these practice questions the real CSLB C-54 exam questions?

No. These are independently written study questions built from the topic areas and weights in CSLB's official C-54 examination study guide. They are a study aid for the knowledge the exam covers and do not reproduce CSLB's item bank, replace the required journey-level experience, or substitute for the official examination.

What is the format of the C-54 exam?

The exam is a closed-book, multiple-choice test administered by PSI, taking up to 3.5 hours. A calculator is provided and some questions require computation.

How much experience is required?

You need at least four years of journey-level experience within the last ten years.

Are code books allowed in the exam?

No, it is a closed-book examination. No outside reference materials or code books are permitted.

Is the exam offered in Spanish?

Yes, CSLB publishes a Spanish study guide and offers the examination in Spanish as well as English.

100+ Free CSLB C-54 Practice Questions

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