Tree and palm contractor performing a structural pruning and removal

Become a Licensed C-49 Tree and Palm Contractor

The C-49 Tree and Palm classification is the arborist's license, covering the planting, maintenance, and removal of trees and palms, including the high-risk pruning and removal work general gardeners can't legally take on.

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Requirements

Minimum age: 18+ is CSLB's normal applicant path. A minor may qualify only after a court appoints a guardian (BPC §7065.5)
Experience required: 4 full-time-equivalent years of journey-level experience within the past 10 years; CSLB prorates part-time work
Contractor bond: $25,000

About the Exam

Exam format: 2 parts (Law & Business + Trade)
Law & Business exam: 115 questions
School-observed scores: 65% Law / 66% Trade; not published as fixed by CSLB
Application fee: $450

License renews every 2 years. Governing code: CCR §832.49

About this classification

What does a C-49 Tree and Palm contractor do?

A C-49 Tree and Palm Contractor plants, maintains, and removes trees and palms, including pruning, stump grinding, and the guying or cabling of trees, palms, and limbs. It is the classification California arborists hold to perform contract tree work.

Under the California Code of Regulations (Title 16, §832.49), a C-49 contractor "plants, maintains, and removes trees and palms." The Business and Professions Code (§7026.1) exempts incidental nursery work and the routine pruning a gardener performs, so the C-49 is the license that authorizes the larger, higher-risk arboricultural jobs.

Official source: CSLB C-49 classification · CSLB fee schedule Last reviewed: March 2026

Scope of work

Large tree and palm removal
Structural and clearance pruning of trees and palms
Stump grinding and root removal
Cabling, bracing, and guying of hazardous trees
Specimen-tree and palm planting
Storm-damage and emergency tree removal
Municipal and street-tree pruning contracts
Crown reduction and canopy thinning

Important notes

The C-49 covers arboricultural care of established trees and palms; planting trees as part of building a new landscape falls under the C-27 (Landscaping) license.
Incidental pruning by a nursery person is exempt under B&P §7026.1 regardless of tree size; a gardener's incidental pruning is only exempt on trees under 15 feet tall after planting. Pruning taller trees, contract removal, large-scale pruning, and hazardous-tree work all require the C-49.
Tree work near power lines is tightly regulated; line-clearance work is governed by Cal/OSHA and often requires qualified line-clearance tree trimmers.
California requires a license for any tree or palm contract over $1,000 (labor and materials combined), and workers' compensation coverage is required once you have employees; sole owners with no employees may file an exemption (BPC §7125(b)).

The CSLB exam

What's on the C-49 Tree and Palm exam?

California requires you to pass a two-part CSLB exam: the Law & Business exam (the same for every classification) and the C-49 Tree and Palm trade exam. CSLS has observed scores of 65% for Law & Business and 66% for the C-49 trade exam. CSLB does not publish fixed passing scores and may vary them by exam version.

Law & Business

Same for all classifications

115 questions, multiple choice, computer-based
3.5 hours allotted
Topics: California contractor law, business management, safety, estimating, project management

C-49 Trade Exam

Tree and Palm-specific

about 100 questions, multiple choice, computer-based
3.5 hours allotted
Topics: tree biology and identification, pruning standards, rigging and removal, climbing and aerial safety, stump grinding, cabling and bracing, hazard assessment

How to Get Your C-49 Tree and Palm License

Step 1

Qualify

18+ is CSLB's normal applicant path. A minor may qualify only after a court appoints a guardian (BPC §7065.5). You also need a valid SSN/ITIN and 4 full-time-equivalent years of journey-level tree and palm care experience within the past 10 years; CSLB prorates part-time work. Up to 3 years may be substituted with approved education or apprenticeship.

Step 2

Apply to CSLB

Submit your application, get fingerprinted, and pay the $450 application fee. Processing times vary; check the CSLB's current processing times.

Step 3

Study & Prepare

Prepare for both exam parts, on your own or with a CSLS exam prep program. 99% of CSLS students pass on their first try, backed by our 100% Money-Back Guarantee.

Compare programs

Step 4

Pass the Exam

Two parts: Law & Business (115q, 3.5 hrs) + C-49 Trade. Multiple choice, computer-based. CSLS has observed scores of 65% Law & Business / 66% C-49 Trade; CSLB does not publish fixed passing scores and may vary them by exam version.

Step 5

Get Licensed

Post your $25,000 contractor bond, pay the $200 license fee, and receive your C-49 license. You're officially in business.

Step 1

Qualify

Step 2

Apply to CSLB

Submit your application, get fingerprinted, and pay the $450 application fee. Processing times vary; check the CSLB's current processing times.

Step 3

Study & Prepare

Prepare for both exam parts, on your own or with a CSLS exam prep program. 99% of CSLS students pass on their first try, backed by our 100% Money-Back Guarantee.

Compare programs

Step 4

Pass the Exam

Step 5

Get Licensed

Post your $25,000 contractor bond, pay the $200 license fee, and receive your C-49 license. You're officially in business.

Exam Prep Programs

Compare C-49 Tree and Palm Exam Prep Programs

Every program prepares you for the required CSLB exam for C-49 Tree and Palm. Our 99% first-time pass rate is backed by the 100% Money-Back Guarantee on eligible programs.

Feature-by-feature comparison of all four CSLS exam prep programs
Features	Most Popular All-Inclusive C-49 Tree and Palm $1,195.00 Value: $2,500	Live Online C-49 Tree and Palm $695.00 Value: $995	Crash Course C-49 Tree and Palm $495.00 Value: $695	Home Study C-49 Tree and Palm $295.00 Value: $395
Best For	Comprehensive prep with maximum support	Remote learners wanting live instruction	Experienced pros with an exam date soon	Self-directed independent learners
Law & Business Classes	4 Classes + Full-Day Review	4 Live Online + Review	Full-Day Review Only	Not included
Trade Math Training	30-Day Interactive + Review	Online Video Review	14-Day Crash Course	Not included
Test-Taking Skills Seminar	1-Day In-Person	1-Day Online	Not included	Not included
Law & Business Materials	Online; binder add-on available	Online; binder add-on available	Online; binder add-on available	Online; binder add-on available
Trade-Specific Materials	Online; binder add-on available	Online; binder add-on available	Online; binder add-on available	Online; binder add-on available
Study Materials	Full Online Suite	Online Materials + Audio/Video	Online + Audio/Video	Online + Audio
Online Videos	Full Suite: L&B, Trade, H&S, Math	Audio + H&S + Math Videos	Audio + H&S + Math Videos	L&B Audio + H&S Video
Law & Business Practice Exams	6 Months	2 Months	30 Days	30 Days
Trade Practice Exams	6 Months	2 Months	30 Days	30 Days
School Location Access	25+ Locations	25+ Locations	25+ Locations	Self-Study Only
Application Assistance	Preparation & Review	Review Only	Review Only	Not included
Money-Back Guarantee	Included	Included	Included	Not included
Bond Fee Discount	50% off first-year bond, up to $120	Not included	Not included	Not included
Retail Value	$2,500	$995	$695	$395
Choose a program	Get All-Inclusive	Get Live Online	Get Crash Course	Get Home Study

Not sure which fits? Call 800-809-6463. Prices and inclusions are subject to change.

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Common Questions

C-49 Tree and Palm license FAQ

The C-49 (Tree and Palm) covers arboricultural care of established trees and palms, pruning, removal, stump grinding, and cabling. The C-27 (Landscaping) covers building landscapes, including planting new trees as part of an install. If your work is climbing and removing mature trees, you need the C-49; if it is full landscape construction, you need the C-27.

If the tree-removal contract is over $1,000 in labor and materials, you need a C-49 license. Incidental pruning by a nursery person is exempt under state law regardless of tree size, but a gardener's incidental pruning is only exempt on trees under 15 feet tall; contract removal and larger pruning jobs require the license. Removing a large tree without the proper license on a job above the threshold is illegal.

No, they are separate. The C-49 is the CSLB contractor license that legally authorizes you to bid and perform contract tree work in California. A certified arborist credential (such as ISA certification) is a professional designation, not a license. Many California arborists hold both the C-49 and an arborist certification.

Most students are exam-ready in 4–6 weeks of CSLS prep. Adding CSLB application processing (typically 2–4 weeks), exam scheduling, and posting your $25,000 bond, the full path usually runs 2–4 months from start to license-in-hand.

4 full-time-equivalent years of journey-level tree and palm care experience within the past 10 years; CSLB prorates part-time work. Qualifying work may be as a journeyperson, foreperson, supervising employee, contractor, or owner-builder. This can include work as a journeyman, foreman, or supervising employee. Up to three years can be satisfied with approved technical training, apprenticeship, or education.

The C-49 trade exam covers tree biology, pruning standards, rigging and removal, climbing safety, and hazard assessment. You need the current version-specific CSLB passing score to pass. With CSLS exam prep, 99% of students pass on their first attempt, backed by our 100% Money-Back Guarantee.

Plan on roughly $885 in mandatory costs before exam prep: the $450 application fee, the $200 initial license issuance fee, about $150 for the first-year premium on your $25,000 bond, and around $85 for fingerprinting. Exam prep is separate.

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Become a Licensed C-49 Tree and Palm Contractor

What does a C-49 Tree and Palm contractor do?

Scope of work

Important notes

What's on the C-49 Tree and Palm exam?

Law & Business

C-49 Trade Exam

How to Get Your C-49 Tree and Palm License

Qualify

Apply to CSLB

Study & Prepare

Pass the Exam

Get Licensed

Qualify

Apply to CSLB

Study & Prepare

Pass the Exam

Get Licensed

Compare C-49 Tree and Palm Exam Prep Programs

Labor Day Promo 2026

What our Tree and Palm students say

Try a free C-49 Tree and Palm practice exam

C-49 Tree and Palm license FAQ

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