Last updated: August 31st, 2026
If you’re preparing to take your California contractor licensing exams, knowing where you can test is an important part of planning ahead.
The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) currently contracts with PSI to administer its contractor licensing examinations.
Depending on which exam you’re taking, testing is available at PSI locations in California, Oregon, and—for the Law and Business Examination—additional states across the country.
You cannot schedule your CSLB contractor exam immediately after submitting your license application.
CSLB must first:
Once that happens, CSLB will send you a Notice to Schedule for Examination.
You can then schedule and pay for each required examination through the PSI California Contractors Exam Portal.
CSLB currently lists PSI contractor examination centers in the following California locations:
Both the Law and Business Examination and applicable Trade examinations can be scheduled at authorized California locations.
Because appointment availability can change, use PSI’s live scheduling system to see the locations and dates available when you’re ready to book.
CSLB also currently allows contractor examinations at PSI’s Wilsonville, Oregon location, outside Portland.
This is particularly helpful for applicants who live in Northern California, Oregon, Washington, or another nearby area.
Both applicable Law and Business and Trade examinations may be taken at the authorized Oregon testing location.
The California Law and Business Examination has broader geographic availability than the Trade exams.
CSLB currently states that Law and Business can be taken outside California in the following states:
This can make the licensing process significantly easier for qualifying individuals who live outside California.
You don’t necessarily need to travel to California just to complete the Law and Business Examination.
Trade examinations have more limited availability.
CSLB currently states that Trade examinations must be completed in California or Oregon.
So, for example, if you’re required to take:
or another applicable Trade examination, you’ll need to schedule at an authorized PSI testing center in California or Oregon.
You cannot take the California contractor Trade examination at one of PSI’s other nationwide testing locations.
Not necessarily.
A typical first-time qualifying individual who does not qualify for an examination waiver or exemption generally takes:
However, waivers and exemptions can apply depending on previous licensing, examination, qualifying history, reciprocity, and other circumstances.
The C-61 Limited Specialty classification does not require a Trade examination.
CSLB determines exactly which examinations apply to your application before referring you to PSI.
Yes, if appointments are available.
Law and Business and Trade are separate examinations, and each has its own examination fee.
You can schedule them:
depending on your preference and PSI availability.
Some applicants prefer to complete both in one trip, while others prefer to focus on one examination at a time.
The easiest way to find current testing locations is through PSI’s California contractor scheduling portal.
Visit the PSI California Contractors Exam Portal.
Once you’re eligible to schedule:
You can also schedule by calling PSI at:
877-392-6422
Even though CSLB currently publishes a list of testing locations, don’t book:
based solely on an older list of PSI centers.
Testing-center participation and appointment availability can change.
Use PSI’s current scheduling portal to confirm that:
before making travel arrangements.
It depends on the exam.
The Law and Business Examination is currently available at authorized PSI locations in several states outside California.
Trade examinations are currently limited to California and Oregon.
No.
Although Law and Business is currently available at approved PSI locations in Texas, California contractor Trade exams must be taken in California or Oregon.
Yes.
CSLB currently lists Wilsonville, Oregon as an authorized PSI location.
No.
CSLB must first accept your application and refer you for examination.
After that, you’ll receive a Notice to Schedule and can book through PSI.
Potentially, yes.
Because the exams are scheduled separately, you may be able to take Law and Business at one authorized location and the Trade examination at another.
Just remember that the Trade exam must be completed in California or Oregon.
No.
Qualifying California contractor licensing examinations are currently administered in person at authorized PSI testing centers.
No.
The C-61 Limited Specialty classification does not require a Trade examination.
Where you can take your California contractor licensing examination depends primarily on which exam you’re taking.
The current rules are:
When you’re ready to schedule, use the PSI California Contractors Exam Portal to see the current test centers, appointment dates, and availability.
