Masonry contractor laying a concrete-block wall in mortar

Become a Licensed C-29 Masonry Contractor

The C-29 Masonry classification covers the contractors who build with brick, block, and stone, from structural walls and chimneys to stone-veneer facades 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 / 63% Trade; not published as fixed by CSLB
Application fee: $450

License renews every 2 years. Governing code: CCR §832.29

About this classification

What does a C-29 Masonry contractor do?

Under California Code of Regulations (Title 16, §832.29), a C-29 Masonry Contractor installs concrete units and baked clay products, concrete, glass, and clay block, rough cut and dimensioned stone, structural and non-structural face brick, terra cotta, and refractory fire brick. This license allows you to build masonry walls, fences, fireplaces, and veneers using individual units set in mortar.

The C-29 covers both load-bearing and non-load-bearing masonry, ceramic veneer, thin brick, and masonry paving, plus incidental waterproofing, cleaning, and caulking. C-29 contractors build CMU walls, brick chimneys, stone-veneer facades, and refractory firebrick installations.

Official source: CSLB C-29 classification · CSLB fee schedule Last reviewed: March 2026

Scope of work

Concrete masonry unit (CMU) and concrete-block walls
Brick walls, veneers, and partitions
Stone and dimensioned-stone facades
Brick and stone fireplaces and chimneys
Refractory fire brick (furnaces, kilns)
Glass block and clay-tile masonry
Masonry retaining walls and fences
Ceramic veneer and thin-brick veneer
Masonry paving
Incidental waterproofing, cleaning, and caulking of masonry

Important notes

Masonry (laid units) and concrete (poured) are different trades: a C-29 contractor lays brick, block, and stone, but pouring and finishing concrete flatwork or foundations is C-8 (Concrete) work.
A C-29 contractor installs ceramic veneer and thin-brick veneer, but setting glazed ceramic, mosaic, and stone tile is C-54 (Ceramic and Mosaic Tile) work, the dividing line is masonry veneer versus tile.
Masonry walls and fences require the C-29, even though general fencing is a C-13 trade, the C-13 (Fencing) classification specifically excludes masonry walls.
The C-29 covers masonry units; applying wet plaster, lath, or stucco is C-35 (Lathing and Plastering) 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-29 Masonry exam?

California requires you to pass a two-part CSLB exam: the Law & Business exam (the same for every classification) and the C-29 Masonry trade exam. CSLS has observed scores of 65% for Law & Business and 63% for the C-29 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-29 Trade Exam

Masonry-specific

about 100 questions, multiple choice, computer-based
3.5 hours allotted
Topics: masonry materials, mortar and grout, brick and block layout, reinforced masonry, fireplaces and chimneys, stone veneer, blueprint reading, safety

How to Get Your C-29 Masonry 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 masonry 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.

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Step 4

Pass the Exam

Two parts: Law & Business (115q, 3.5 hrs) + C-29 Trade. Multiple choice, computer-based. CSLS has observed scores of 65% Law & Business / 63% C-29 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-29 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-29 license. You're officially in business.

Exam Prep Programs

Compare C-29 Masonry Exam Prep Programs

Every program prepares you for the required CSLB exam for C-29 Masonry. 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-29 Masonry $1,195.00 Value: $2,500	Live Online C-29 Masonry $695.00 Value: $995	Crash Course C-29 Masonry $495.00 Value: $695	Home Study C-29 Masonry $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-29 Masonry license FAQ

A C-29 (Masonry) contractor builds with individual units, brick, concrete block, stone, and clay, set in mortar. A C-8 (Concrete) contractor pours and finishes wet concrete into forms, such as foundations and slabs. If you're laying a block wall, that's C-29; if you're pouring the footing under it, that's C-8. Many masonry contractors carry both.

The C-29 (Masonry) license covers ceramic veneer and thin-brick veneer set as masonry. The C-54 (Ceramic and Mosaic Tile) license covers glazed wall tile, ceramic, mosaic, quarry, and stone tile for floors, showers, and surfaces. The boundary is masonry veneer versus finished tile work, a tiled bathroom is C-54, a stone-veneer fireplace face is C-29.

Yes. Masonry walls and fences, brick, block, and stone, are squarely within the C-29 scope. Note that the general C-13 (Fencing) classification specifically excludes masonry walls, so a masonry fence requires the C-29 rather than the C-13.

Budget about $885 in required 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, CSLB processing, passing both exams, and posting the bond. With CSLS exam prep, most students are exam-ready in 4–6 weeks.

The C-29 trade exam is multiple-choice and covers masonry materials, mortar and grout, brick and block layout, reinforced masonry, fireplaces, and stone veneer. 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 masonry 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-29 Masonry Contractor

What does a C-29 Masonry contractor do?

Scope of work

Important notes

What's on the C-29 Masonry exam?

Law & Business

C-29 Trade Exam

How to Get Your C-29 Masonry 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-29 Masonry Exam Prep Programs

Labor Day Promo 2026

What our Masonry students say

Try a free C-29 Masonry practice exam

C-29 Masonry license FAQ

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