Building demolition contractor taking down a structure with heavy equipment

Become a Licensed C-21 Building Moving/Demolition Contractor

The C-21 Building Moving/Demolition classification covers the heavy work of taking structures down or moving them, demolition, relocation, cribbing, and underpinning, foundations included.

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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 / 65% Trade; not published as fixed by CSLB
Application fee: $450

License renews every 2 years. Governing code: CCR §832.21

About this classification

What does a C-21 Building Moving/Demolition contractor do?

A C-21 Building Moving/Demolition Contractor raises, lowers, cribs, underpins, demolishes, and moves or removes structures, including their foundations. The classification covers the full takedown or relocation of a building but excludes alterations, additions, or repairs to any retained portion.

Under the California Code of Regulations (Title 16, §832.21), a C-21 contractor "raises, lowers, cribs, underpins, demolishes and moves or removes structures, including their foundations." It is the demolition-and-relocation specialty, clearing a site, raising a house for foundation work, or relocating a structure entirely.

Official source: CSLB C-21 classification · CSLB fee schedule Last reviewed: March 2026

Scope of work

Building and structure demolition
House and structure relocation
Foundation and slab demolition
Underpinning and raising structures for foundation work
Cribbing and shoring for retrofits and lifts
Removal of condemned or fire-damaged structures
Site clearing of existing structures
Lowering and re-leveling of buildings

Important notes

The C-21 covers removing or moving a structure, alterations, additions, or repairs to a retained portion are excluded and fall under the B or matching C license.
Buildings containing asbestos must have asbestos-containing materials abated first by a C-22 (or ASB-certified) contractor before demolition.
Infrastructure demolition (bridges, large fixed works) can fall under the A (General Engineering) license.
California requires a license for any demolition or moving 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-21 Building Moving/Demolition exam?

California requires you to pass a two-part CSLB exam: the Law & Business exam (the same for every classification) and the C-21 Building Moving/Demolition trade exam. CSLS has observed scores of 65% for Law & Business and 65% for the C-21 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-21 Trade Exam

Building Moving/Demolition-specific

about 100 questions, multiple choice, computer-based
3.5 hours allotted
Topics: demolition methods and sequencing, structural shoring and cribbing, underpinning, building moving, hazardous-material awareness, site safety, plan reading

How to Get Your C-21 Building Moving/Demolition 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 building moving and demolition 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-21 Trade. Multiple choice, computer-based. CSLS has observed scores of 65% Law & Business / 65% C-21 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-21 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-21 license. You're officially in business.

Exam Prep Programs

Compare C-21 Building Moving/Demolition Exam Prep Programs

Every program prepares you for the required CSLB exam for C-21 Building Moving/Demolition. 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-21 Building Moving/Demolition $1,195.00 Value: $2,500	Live Online C-21 Building Moving/Demolition $695.00 Value: $995	Crash Course C-21 Building Moving/Demolition $495.00 Value: $695	Home Study C-21 Building Moving/Demolition $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-21 Building Moving/Demolition license FAQ

The C-21 (Building Moving/Demolition) removes, demolishes, or relocates structures, including their foundations, but cannot alter or rebuild a retained portion. The B (General Building) license is for constructing and rehabilitating structures. If you are tearing a building down or moving it, you need the C-21; if you are remodeling what stays, you need the B or the matching C.

Yes. Buildings that contain asbestos must have the asbestos-containing materials abated before demolition by a C-22 contractor or an ASB-certified contractor. The C-21 covers the demolition itself, but the abatement is separate, regulated work that must come first.

Yes. House and structure relocation is squarely within the C-21 scope, along with the cribbing, raising, lowering, and underpinning that relocation requires. The classification specifically authorizes moving or removing structures, including their foundations.

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 building moving and demolition 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-21 trade exam covers demolition methods, structural shoring and cribbing, underpinning, building moving, and site 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.

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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99% Pass Rate

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100% Money-Back Guarantee

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Become a Licensed C-21 Building Moving/Demolition Contractor

What does a C-21 Building Moving/Demolition contractor do?

Scope of work

Important notes

What's on the C-21 Building Moving/Demolition exam?

Law & Business

C-21 Trade Exam

How to Get Your C-21 Building Moving/Demolition 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-21 Building Moving/Demolition Exam Prep Programs

Labor Day Promo 2026

What our Building Moving/Demolition students say

Try a free C-21 Building Moving/Demolition practice exam

C-21 Building Moving/Demolition license FAQ

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