Concrete contractor finishing a freshly poured foundation slab

Become a Licensed C-8 Concrete Contractor

The C-8 Concrete classification covers the contractors who form, pour, and finish California's foundations, flatwork, and slabs, the structural backbone of nearly every building project.

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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 §832.08

About this classification

What does a C-8 Concrete contractor do?

Under California Code of Regulations (Title 16, §832.08), a C-8 Concrete Contractor "forms, pours, places, finishes and installs specified mass, pavement, flat and other concrete work; and places and sets screeds for pavements or flatwork." This license allows you to build and finish the poured-concrete elements of a project, foundations, slabs, driveways, and structural concrete.

The C-8 is one of the most fundamental specialty licenses in California construction, because almost every structure starts with concrete. C-8 contractors work on residential foundations, commercial slab floors, warehouse flatwork, sidewalks, and stamped or colored decorative concrete.

Official source: CSLB C-8 classification · CSLB fee schedule Last reviewed: March 2026

Scope of work

Footings, foundations, and grade beams
Slab-on-grade and structural floor slabs
Driveways, patios, sidewalks, and walkways
Warehouse and industrial flatwork
Concrete retaining walls
Setting and finishing screeds for pavement and flatwork
Stamped, colored, and exposed-aggregate decorative concrete
Curbs, gutters, and concrete steps
Tilt-up and formed concrete walls

Important notes

A C-8 contractor cannot place or tie rebar as a standalone trade, the regulation excludes erecting reinforcing steel, which falls under the C-50 (Reinforcing Steel) classification.
The C-8 excludes the primary business of plaster-coating, wet plaster and stucco work belong to the C-35 (Lathing and Plastering) classification.
Concrete (poured) and masonry (laid units like brick and block) are different trades: laying masonry units requires the C-29 license, not the C-8.
A C-8 contractor pours and finishes concrete, but does not perform asphalt paving, that is C-12 (Earthwork and Paving) work.
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-8 Concrete exam?

California requires you to pass a two-part CSLB exam: the Law & Business exam (the same for every classification) and the C-8 Concrete trade exam. CSLS has observed scores of 65% for Law & Business and 69% for the C-8 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-8 Trade Exam

Concrete-specific

about 100 questions, multiple choice, computer-based
3.5 hours allotted
Topics: concrete mix design, formwork, placing and finishing, reinforcement basics, foundations and footings, curing, blueprint reading, safety

How to Get Your C-8 Concrete 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 concrete 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-8 Trade. Multiple choice, computer-based. CSLS has observed scores of 65% Law & Business / 69% C-8 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-8 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-8 license. You're officially in business.

Exam Prep Programs

Compare C-8 Concrete Exam Prep Programs

Every program prepares you for the required CSLB exam for C-8 Concrete. 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-8 Concrete $1,195.00 Value: $2,500	Live Online C-8 Concrete $695.00 Value: $995	Crash Course C-8 Concrete $495.00 Value: $695	Home Study C-8 Concrete $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-8 Concrete license FAQ

The C-8 (Concrete) license covers forming, pouring, placing, and finishing concrete, foundations, slabs, and flatwork. The C-50 (Reinforcing Steel) license covers fabricating, placing, and tying the steel rebar and mesh that reinforce that concrete. The C-8 regulation specifically excludes placing and erecting rebar, so a contractor who self-performs both the rebar and the pour needs the C-50 (or a separate C-50 sub) in addition to the C-8.

A C-8 contractor works with poured concrete, wet concrete placed into forms and finished in place. A C-29 (Masonry) contractor lays individual masonry units such as brick, concrete block (CMU), stone, and clay tile. If you pour a foundation, that's C-8 work; if you lay a block wall on top of it, that's C-29 work.

A C-8 contractor can pour and finish concrete driveways and concrete pavement, but asphalt paving is a separate trade under the C-12 (Earthwork and Paving) classification. If your driveway work is concrete, the C-8 covers it; if it's asphalt, you need the C-12.

Plan on roughly $885 in mandatory costs before exam prep: the $450 application fee (covers both the Law & Business and trade exams), $200 initial license issuance, about $150 for the first-year premium on your $25,000 contractor bond, and about $85 for fingerprinting and background processing. You'll also need workers' compensation coverage.

Most applicants reach license-in-hand in 2–4 months. That includes CSLB application processing, scheduling and passing both exams, and posting your bond. With CSLS exam prep, most students are exam-ready in 4–6 weeks.

The C-8 trade exam is a multiple-choice test covering concrete mix design, formwork, placing and finishing techniques, foundations, curing, and blueprint reading. 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 concrete 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 satisfied with approved technical training, apprenticeship, or education.

Since 1985

40+ Years

200,000+

Students Licensed

99% Pass Rate

First-Time

100% Money-Back Guarantee

Tuition Refund

Become a Licensed C-8 Concrete Contractor

What does a C-8 Concrete contractor do?

Scope of work

Important notes

What's on the C-8 Concrete exam?

Law & Business

C-8 Trade Exam

How to Get Your C-8 Concrete 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-8 Concrete Exam Prep Programs

Labor Day Promo 2026

What our Concrete students say

Try a free C-8 Concrete practice exam

C-8 Concrete license FAQ

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