Licensed flooring contractor installing luxury vinyl plank

Become a Licensed C-15 Flooring and Floor Covering Contractor

The C-15 Flooring and Floor Covering classification covers nearly every type of finished floor, carpet, wood, resilient, and laminate, for residential and commercial interiors 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 / 64% Trade; not published as fixed by CSLB
Application fee: $450

License renews every 2 years. Governing code: CCR §832.15

About this classification

What does a C-15 Flooring and Floor Covering contractor do?

Under the California Code of Regulations (Title 16, §832.15), a C-15 Flooring and Floor Covering Contractor prepares any surface for the installation of flooring and floor coverings, and installs carpet, resilient sheet goods, resilient tile, wood floors, and flooring, except ceramic tile. This means a C-15 contractor handles substrate prep through finished floor for every flooring type other than ceramic.

Flooring is a steady, high-turnover specialty because floors wear out and get replaced far more often than the structure around them. Licensed C-15 contractors install hardwood, luxury vinyl plank (LVP), carpet, sheet vinyl, and laminate in homes, offices, retail spaces, and multifamily turnovers.

Official source: CSLB C-15 classification · CSLB fee schedule Last reviewed: March 2026

Scope of work

Hardwood floor installation, sanding, and finishing
Carpet and carpet-pad installation
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and resilient tile
Sheet vinyl and resilient sheet goods
Laminate flooring systems
Engineered wood flooring
Substrate and subfloor preparation and leveling
Refinishing and repair of existing wood floors
Floor covering for residential and commercial interiors
Underlayment and moisture-barrier installation

High-demand specialties

Hardwood & Refinishing, Install, sand, and finish solid and engineered wood floors
Luxury Vinyl Plank, Fast-growing residential and commercial flooring category
Multifamily Turnover, High-volume carpet and resilient installs for property managers
Commercial Resilient, Sheet goods and resilient tile for offices, retail, and healthcare

Important notes

A C-15 contractor can install carpet, wood, resilient, and laminate flooring and prepare the substrate for all of them.
A C-15 contractor cannot install ceramic, mosaic, or stone tile, ceramic tile is explicitly excluded from the C-15 and belongs to the C-54 (Ceramic and Mosaic Tile) classification. A flooring contractor who also sets tile needs the C-54.
A C-15 contractor cannot pour or finish the concrete slab itself, slab work falls under the C-8 (Concrete) classification. The C-15 prepares the existing surface to receive flooring.
Projects over $1,000 (labor and materials combined) require a contractor license. A $25,000 contractor bond is required to activate the license; 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-15 Flooring and Floor Covering exam?

California requires you to pass a two-part CSLB exam: the Law & Business exam (the same for every classification) and the C-15 Flooring and Floor Covering trade exam. CSLS has observed scores of 65% for Law & Business and 64% for the C-15 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-15 Trade Exam

Flooring and Floor Covering-specific

about 100 questions, multiple choice, computer-based
3.5 hours allotted
Topics: subfloor preparation, flooring materials, installation methods, moisture and adhesives, estimating, safety, blueprint reading

How to Get Your C-15 Flooring and Floor Covering 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 flooring and floor covering 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-15 Trade. Multiple choice, computer-based. CSLS has observed scores of 65% Law & Business / 64% C-15 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-15 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-15 license. You're officially in business.

Exam Prep Programs

Compare C-15 Flooring and Floor Covering Exam Prep Programs

Every program prepares you for the required CSLB exam for C-15 Flooring and Floor Covering. 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-15 Flooring and Floor Covering $1,195.00 Value: $2,500	Live Online C-15 Flooring and Floor Covering $695.00 Value: $995	Crash Course C-15 Flooring and Floor Covering $495.00 Value: $695	Home Study C-15 Flooring and Floor Covering $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-15 Flooring and Floor Covering license FAQ

The C-15 (Flooring and Floor Covering) covers carpet, wood, resilient, vinyl, and laminate flooring, every floor type except ceramic tile. The C-54 (Ceramic and Mosaic Tile) covers ceramic, mosaic, quarry, porcelain, and stone tile. The dividing line is the material: if it is ceramic or stone tile, it is C-54; everything else underfoot is C-15. A contractor who installs both wood floors and tile needs both classifications.

A C-15 contractor cannot install ceramic, mosaic, or stone tile, that work is explicitly excluded from the C-15 and requires the C-54 (Ceramic and Mosaic Tile) classification. The C-15 covers resilient tile such as LVP and vinyl composition tile, but not ceramic or natural-stone tile. To do both, you would hold the C-15 and the C-54.

Yes, any flooring project over $1,000 (labor and materials combined) requires a licensed contractor. Under Business and Professions Code §7031, an unlicensed contractor cannot sue to collect payment for the work, even if the job was done well. The C-15 lets you legally take larger residential and commercial flooring contracts.

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

From application to license-in-hand, typically 2–4 months. That includes CSLB processing (2–4 weeks), scheduling and passing both exams, and posting your $25,000 bond. With CSLS exam prep, most flooring students are exam-ready in 4–6 weeks.

4 full-time-equivalent years of journey-level flooring and floor covering 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 of those years can be satisfied with approved technical training, apprenticeship, or education in the trade.

The C-15 trade exam is a multiple-choice test covering subfloor preparation, flooring materials, installation methods, adhesives and moisture control, estimating, and safety. You need the current version-specific CSLB passing score to pass, plus the separate Law and Business exam. With CSLS exam prep, 99% of students pass on their first attempt, backed by our 100% Money-Back Guarantee.

CSLB evaluates reciprocity case-by-case (BPC §7065.4) and may waive the C-15 trade exam if you hold an equivalent active license in good standing. Even with reciprocity, you must still pass California's Law and Business exam and meet the bonding and insurance requirements before the license is issued.

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Become a Licensed C-15 Flooring and Floor Covering Contractor

What does a C-15 Flooring and Floor Covering contractor do?

Scope of work

High-demand specialties

Important notes

What's on the C-15 Flooring and Floor Covering exam?

Law & Business

C-15 Trade Exam

How to Get Your C-15 Flooring and Floor Covering 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-15 Flooring and Floor Covering Exam Prep Programs

Labor Day Promo 2026

What our Flooring and Floor Covering students say

Try a free C-15 Flooring and Floor Covering practice exam

C-15 Flooring and Floor Covering license FAQ

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