Welding contractor making a structural steel field weld

Become a Licensed C-60 Welding Contractor

The C-60 Welding classification covers the contractors who join and fabricate metal as a standalone trade, from structural connections and pipeline welds to custom fabrication across California.

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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 / 69% Trade; not published as fixed by CSLB
Application fee: $450

License renews every 2 years. Governing code: CCR §832.60

About this classification

What does a C-60 Welding contractor do?

Under California Code of Regulations (Title 16, §832.60), a C-60 Welding Contractor "causes metals to become permanently attached, joined and fabricated by the use of gases and electrical energy." This license allows you to offer welding and metal-joining as a distinct contracting trade.

The C-60 is the standalone welding specialty. C-60 contractors weld structural-steel connections as a subcontractor, fabricate custom metalwork, weld pipelines, repair equipment components, and build standalone ornamental railings and gates. Welders frequently work as subcontractors to other trades.

Official source: CSLB C-60 classification · CSLB fee schedule Last reviewed: March 2026

Scope of work

Welding structural-steel connections (as a subcontractor)
Custom metal fabrication
Pipeline and pressure-vessel welding
Equipment and component repair welding
Standalone ornamental railings and gates
Gas (oxy-fuel) and arc welding processes
On-site field welding and repair
Metal joining for industrial and commercial work

Important notes

The C-60 is a standalone welding trade. When welding is incidental to erecting structural steel, the C-51 (Structural Steel) contractor self-performs it under the C-51, you do not separately need a C-60 for that work.
When welding is part of fabricating ornamental metalwork, the C-23 (Ornamental Metal) contractor performs it under the C-23, the C-60 applies when welding is offered on its own.
A C-60 welder is often a subcontractor to a structural-steel, pipeline, or ornamental-metal prime, rather than the prime contractor on a project.
The C-60 covers welding and metal joining; it does not by itself authorize a full structural-steel or pipeline scope, those are the C-51 and C-34 classifications.
Projects over $1,000 (labor and materials combined) require a license, and all licensees must carry workers' compensation coverage.

The CSLB exam

What's on the C-60 Welding exam?

California requires you to pass a two-part CSLB exam: the Law & Business exam (the same for every classification) and the C-60 Welding trade exam. CSLS has observed scores of 65% for Law & Business and 69% for the C-60 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-60 Trade Exam

Welding-specific

about 100 questions, multiple choice, computer-based
3.5 hours allotted
Topics: welding processes (SMAW, GMAW, GTAW), weld symbols and joints, metallurgy, welding codes and inspection, safety, blueprint reading

How to Get Your C-60 Welding 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 welding 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-60 Trade. Multiple choice, computer-based. CSLS has observed scores of 65% Law & Business / 69% C-60 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-60 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-60 license. You're officially in business.

Exam Prep Programs

Compare C-60 Welding Exam Prep Programs

Every program prepares you for the required CSLB exam for C-60 Welding. 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-60 Welding $1,195.00 Value: $2,500	Live Online C-60 Welding $695.00 Value: $995	Crash Course C-60 Welding $495.00 Value: $695	Home Study C-60 Welding $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-60 Welding license FAQ

The C-60 (Welding) covers welding and metal joining offered as a standalone trade. The C-51 (Structural Steel) covers fabricating and erecting the structural steel frame of a building, and includes the welding necessary to do that. A C-51 contractor self-performs structural welds under the C-51, while a C-60 contractor takes welding work that isn't part of erecting a full structural-steel package, often as a subcontractor.

The C-60 (Welding) covers welding as its own trade. The C-23 (Ornamental Metal) covers fabricating and installing decorative architectural metalwork, railings, gates, bronze doors, and the welding involved is part of the C-23 scope. If you build ornamental ironwork end-to-end, that's C-23; if you're brought in just to weld, that's C-60.

Often, yes. Welding is frequently incidental to a larger scope, so C-60 welders commonly work as subcontractors to structural-steel (C-51), pipeline (C-34), or ornamental-metal (C-23) primes, handling the metal-joining portion of a project under another contractor.

Budget about $885 in mandatory costs before exam prep: the $450 application fee (both exams), $200 license issuance, roughly $150 for the first-year premium on your $25,000 bond, and about $85 for fingerprinting. Workers' compensation coverage is also required.

Most applicants reach license-in-hand in 2–4 months, including CSLB processing, both exams, and posting the bond. With CSLS exam prep, most students are exam-ready in 4–6 weeks.

The C-60 trade exam is multiple-choice and covers welding processes (SMAW, GMAW, GTAW), weld symbols and joints, metallurgy, welding codes, and safety. 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.

4 full-time-equivalent years of journey-level welding 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. Up to three years can be met with approved technical training, apprenticeship, or education.

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Become a Licensed C-60 Welding Contractor

What does a C-60 Welding contractor do?

Scope of work

Important notes

What's on the C-60 Welding exam?

Law & Business

C-60 Trade Exam

How to Get Your C-60 Welding 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-60 Welding Exam Prep Programs

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What our Welding students say

Try a free C-60 Welding practice exam

C-60 Welding license FAQ

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