Licensed glazing contractor installing a commercial storefront system

Become a Licensed C-17 Glazing Contractor

The C-17 Glazing classification covers all glass and glazing work, storefronts, windows, mirrors, curtain walls, and glass doors, for commercial and residential structures 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 / 69% Trade; not published as fixed by CSLB
Application fee: $450

License renews every 2 years. Governing code: CCR §832.17

About this classification

What does a C-17 Glazing contractor do?

Under the California Code of Regulations (Title 16, §832.17), a C-17 Glazing Contractor selects, cuts, assembles, and installs all makes and kinds of glass, glass work, mirrored glass, and glass-substitute materials for glazing, together with the frames, panels, sashes, and doors that hold them. This means a C-17 contractor handles glazing from material selection through finished installation.

Glazing is a specialized, in-demand trade in California because commercial construction relies heavily on storefronts and curtain-wall systems, and both homes and businesses constantly replace failed and broken glass. Licensed C-17 contractors install storefront systems, curtain walls, windows, sliding doors, tempered shower enclosures, and mirrored panels.

Official source: CSLB C-17 classification · CSLB fee schedule Last reviewed: March 2026

Scope of work

Storefront and entrance glazing systems
Curtain-wall systems for commercial buildings
Window installation and replacement
Sliding glass doors and framed glass entries
Tempered glass shower and tub enclosures
Mirrored glass and mirror panels
Glass and glass-substitute material installation
Frames, panels, and sashes for glazing
Pane replacement and re-glazing
Insulated and safety glass installation

High-demand specialties

Commercial Storefront, Aluminum-framed entrances and storefront systems for retail
Curtain Wall, Large-scale glazing systems for mid- and high-rise construction
Frameless Shower Glass, High-margin tempered enclosures for residential remodels
Window Replacement, Energy-efficient retrofit windows for homes and offices

Important notes

A C-17 contractor can install the frames, panels, sashes, and doors that hold the glass, as part of the glazing scope.
A C-17 contractor handles the glass, wood framing and millwork around an opening belong to the C-6 (Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry) classification, and ornamental metal framing belongs to the C-23 (Ornamental Metal) classification.
A C-17 contractor cannot perform the structural framing that creates the rough opening, that work falls under the C-5 (Framing and Rough Carpentry) or B (General Building) classification.
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-17 Glazing exam?

California requires you to pass a two-part CSLB exam: the Law & Business exam (the same for every classification) and the C-17 Glazing trade exam. CSLS has observed scores of 65% for Law & Business and 69% for the C-17 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-17 Trade Exam

Glazing-specific

about 100 questions, multiple choice, computer-based
3.5 hours allotted
Topics: glass types and selection, glazing systems, framing and sealants, safety glass standards, estimating, safety, blueprint reading

How to Get Your C-17 Glazing 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 glazing 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-17 Trade. Multiple choice, computer-based. CSLS has observed scores of 65% Law & Business / 69% C-17 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-17 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-17 license. You're officially in business.

Exam Prep Programs

Compare C-17 Glazing Exam Prep Programs

Every program prepares you for the required CSLB exam for C-17 Glazing. 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-17 Glazing $1,195.00 Value: $2,500	Live Online C-17 Glazing $695.00 Value: $995	Crash Course C-17 Glazing $495.00 Value: $695	Home Study C-17 Glazing $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-17 Glazing license FAQ

The C-17 (Glazing) covers the glass and the frames, sashes, and doors that hold it. The C-6 (Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry) covers the wood doors, trim, and millwork around an opening. If your work is installing glass and glass framing systems, the C-17 fits; if it is fabricating and installing wood doors and finish carpentry, that is the C-6. Many glass jobs only need the C-17.

Yes. The C-17 scope covers all kinds of glass and glazing along with the frames, panels, and sashes that hold them, which includes aluminum-framed storefront systems and curtain walls. Commercial glazing is one of the highest-demand areas of the trade, since most retail and office construction relies on storefront and curtain-wall systems.

Yes, any glazing 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. The C-17 lets you legally take on commercial storefront, curtain-wall, and window-replacement 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 have employees.

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 glazing students are exam-ready in 4–6 weeks.

4 full-time-equivalent years of journey-level glazing 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-17 trade exam is a multiple-choice test covering glass types and selection, glazing systems, framing and sealants, safety-glass standards, 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.

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Become a Licensed C-17 Glazing Contractor

What does a C-17 Glazing contractor do?

Scope of work

High-demand specialties

Important notes

What's on the C-17 Glazing exam?

Law & Business

C-17 Trade Exam

How to Get Your C-17 Glazing 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-17 Glazing Exam Prep Programs

Labor Day Promo 2026

What our Glazing students say

Try a free C-17 Glazing practice exam

C-17 Glazing license FAQ

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