CSLB Quick Facts

License required for jobs over
$1,000
Minimum contractor bond
$25,000
Journey-level experience
4 years
Current exam passing scores
School-observed: 65% for Law & Business and 63% to 71% for trade exams; CSLB does not publish fixed passing scores

The CSLB oversees 46 contractor classifications in California.

Free

Free Practice Exam

Try a 40-question practice exam plus 14-day course access, no cost, no commitment.

99% first-time pass rate. 100% Money-Back Guarantee

Need Help?

Start Your Contracting Business

From license to incorporation, we help you handle the paperwork so you can focus on the work.

800-809-6463

A Great New Year’s Resolution for Already-Licensed California Contractors

By 2 min read

A Great New Year’s Resolution for Already-Licensed California Contractors

In our last post, we encouraged California construction professionals who haven’t made the leap to become licensed contractors to start taking action to change their lives. But what about our past students and other interested contractors who are already working with clients? Our advice to you is to make one of the most valuable New Year’s resolutions of all: Make 2013 the year you become committed to always getting better.

One thing that separates the top performers in every field – the men and women who win awards, make more money, and make it to the top of every industry – is that they are always seeking to improve. That is, they are never satisfied with what they’re doing, and always know that they could be accomplishing more than they are now. That’s especially true in the California construction industry, where things are changing on a yearly basis. How could you improve your contracting business? Here are just a few quick ways:

By developing new construction skills and specialties. By learning new construction specialties, like green building, blueprint reading, etc., you can make yourself more versatile and get the opportunity to bid on new kinds of projects. The more you know how to do, the easier it is for new clients to hire you.

By learning more and raising your fees. By the same token, taking on new specialties (or learning more about the ones you have and polishing your skills even further) is a great way to increase your earning potential. After all, customers will pay more for construction work from a knowledgeable contractor, so becoming one of the best in the field is bound to lead to bigger, more profitable projects in the future.

By expanding your business and making sure it’s structured correctly. Too many contractors don’t understand things like incorporation, insurance, and taxes. By working with our approved vendors to sort out these issues, you don’t just make the “paperwork” simpler – you also reduce the odds that a costly mistake or oversight will hurt your business.

In each case, these are things that CSLS can help you with. Although you may have been a licensed California contractor for a year or decades, there is always more to know and learn. Even the most experienced instructional professional can’t know everything, and learning new perspectives is the key to spotting new opportunities.

So, take our advice and learn to be a smarter, more efficient, and more profitable contractor this year. Click here to see our list of upcoming CSLS courses now, and find opportunities to transform your life and career at the same time.

Keep reading

All articles

Since 1985

40+ Years

200,000+

Students Licensed

99% Pass Rate

First-Time

100% Money-Back Guarantee

Tuition Refund

Verified Google Reviews

What Our Students Say

Ready to get licensed?

99% of our students pass the CSLB exam on their first try, backed by our 100% Money-Back Guarantee. Talk to an advisor about the right program for you.

Select Your Trade Classification

Choose your CSLB classification to see exam prep programs

Not sure? Call 800-809-6463, we'll help you choose.