Getting your contractor license application approved by the California Contractors State License Board is a major step, but for most applicants, the next step is passing the required licensing examinations. California contractor exams are currently administered through PSI, an independent testing company that operates computer-based testing centers.
If you’ve never taken a PSI contractor exam before, knowing how the process works can make test day a lot less intimidating. Here’s what California contractor license applicants should know about scheduling, preparing for, and taking their exams.
The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) and PSI have different roles in the examination process.
CSLB is responsible for developing and maintaining California’s contractor licensing examinations. PSI administers those examinations through its network of testing centers.
CSLB determines which exams you need to take and develops the exam content. PSI handles scheduling, examination fees, testing locations, and administration of the exams.
You can’t simply create a PSI account and schedule a California contractor examination before your application has been approved for testing. CSLB must first review your application and refer you to PSI.
After CSLB accepts your application and determines that examinations are required, you’ll receive a Notice to Schedule an Examination.
Once you’ve been referred for testing, you can schedule and pay for your examination directly through PSI. PSI allows applicants to select an available testing location, date, and appointment time. The Law & Business and trade examinations are separate examinations, with a separate examination fee for each. They can be scheduled on the same day or on different days.
By the way, you don’t need to take both exams on the same day! It’s best to consider how prepared you are for each examination before deciding how you want to schedule them. If you need help with the actual scheduling process, I put together a step-by-step guide on how to schedule your CSLB contractor exams with PSI.
Most California contractor license applicants are required to pass two examinations:
The Law & Business exam covers subjects related to operating a contracting business in California, including areas such as business organization, contracts, employment requirements, safety, insurance, bonds, licensing law, and project administration.
If Law & Business is one of the exams you need to prepare for, you can also review our Law & Business Contractor Exam Study Kit.
The second examination covers the specific contractor classification for which you’re applying.
For example, someone applying for a B General Building Contractor License will generally take the B General Building trade examination in addition to Law & Business.
There are exceptions. For example, the C-61 Limited Specialty classification doesn’t require a separate trade examination, and some applicants may qualify for an examination waiver based on their individual licensing circumstances.
CSLB makes the final determination regarding which examinations an applicant must take.
California contractor licensing examinations are administered in person on a computer. The examinations consist of multiple-choice questions, and the computer system provides an introductory tutorial before you begin. CSLB currently allows 3½ hours for each examination.
Plan to arrive at the PSI testing center at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment. Arriving early gives you time to complete check-in and identification procedures. Arriving after your examination start time can result in being denied admission and forfeiting your examination fee.
For a deeper look at preparing for the testing process itself, see our PSI Test Preparation Guide for California CSLB Exams.
PSI requires a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID.
Accepted identification includes:
The name on your identification should match the name associated with your application.
PSI testing centers maintain strict examination-security rules. Phones, notes, books, personal calculators, smart devices, recording devices, bags, and many other personal items are prohibited from the testing room.
Review the current PSI Candidate Information Bulletin before your appointment so you know exactly what you can and can’t bring.
Failing an examination doesn’t mean you have to start your contractor license application over immediately. You can retake the examination, but CSLB currently requires applicants to wait 21 calendar days after a failed examination attempt before testing again. You’ll also need to pay another examination fee to PSI when you reschedule.
GURU TIP: There’s another deadline applicants need to watch carefully! You generally have 18 months from the date CSLB accepts your application to pass all required examinations. If you don’t complete the required exams within that period, the application becomes void and you’ll need to submit a new application and pay the applicable fees again.
If you pass one examination but fail the other, you generally only need to retake the examination you failed while your applicable examination results remain valid.
This is one reason it’s important to take your exam preparation seriously instead of repeatedly testing and hoping for a different result.
Ready to start studying? Check out our physical book exam preparation courses or our eBook and online exam prep courses and choose the format that works best for you.
Passing both required examinations is a major milestone, but passing the exams doesn’t automatically mean your contractor license has been issued! After you pass, CSLB sends a Bond and Fee Letter explaining the remaining requirements that apply to your license.
Depending on your application and business entity, those requirements may include:
CSLB must receive and approve all applicable issuance requirements before your contractor license can be issued. Your application and qualifying experience can also be reviewed or investigated even after you’ve passed the exams. Passing the examination doesn’t override problems with an application or work-experience certification.
If you’re concerned about documenting your experience, you can also review our guide to acceptable supporting experience documentation for CSLB applications.
The PSI examination is an important part of becoming a licensed California contractor, but it’s only one part of the licensing process.
Your application needs to be completed correctly. Your qualifying experience needs to meet CSLB requirements. You need to prepare for both the Law & Business and applicable trade examinations, and you’ll still need to complete CSLB’s licensing requirements after you pass.
That’s where experience with the entire licensing process matters!
Before starting Contractors License Guru, Phil spent five years working as a CSLB application technician. That experience provides insight not only into preparing for the contractor examinations, but also into the applications, classifications, qualifying experience, and other requirements that can affect whether a license is ultimately issued.
Contractors License Guru can help you prepare for your California contractor license exams and navigate the application process before and after PSI testing.
Already working on your CSLB application? Have the Guru review your application before you submit it to help make sure it’s completed and formatted properly and address potential issues before they slow down the licensing process.
