Ornamental metal contractor installing a wrought-iron railing

Become a Licensed C-23 Ornamental Metal Contractor

The C-23 Ornamental Metal classification covers the contractors who fabricate and install architectural and decorative metalwork, wrought-iron railings, bronze entries, and ornamental detailing 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 / 70% Trade; not published as fixed by CSLB
Application fee: $450

License renews every 2 years. Governing code: CCR §832.23

About this classification

What does a C-23 Ornamental Metal contractor do?

Under California Code of Regulations (Title 16, §832.23), a C-23 Ornamental Metal Contractor "assembles, casts, cuts, shapes, stamps, forges, welds, fabricates and installs" brass, bronze, copper, cast iron, wrought iron, monel metal, stainless steel, and steel "for architectural treatment and ornamental decoration." This license allows you to build and install decorative metalwork, and excludes sheet metal.

The C-23 covers architectural and ornamental metal: wrought-iron railings and gates, bronze entry doors and lobby metalwork, copper facade elements, stainless handrails, and cast bronze plaques. C-23 contractors perform the welding involved in fabricating this ornamental work as part of the classification.

Official source: CSLB C-23 classification · CSLB fee schedule Last reviewed: March 2026

Scope of work

Wrought-iron railings, gates, and fencing detail
Bronze entry doors and lobby metalwork
Copper and brass facade and ornamental elements
Stainless-steel handrails and balustrades
Cast bronze plaques, cornices, and decorative castings
Forged and stamped architectural metal detailing
Ornamental iron grilles and screens
Welding necessary to fabricate ornamental metalwork

Important notes

The C-23 is for ornamental and architectural metalwork; load-bearing structural members, the steel frame of a building, are C-51 (Structural Steel) work. The dividing line is decorative versus structural.
Sheet metal is excluded from the C-23. Cornices, flashings, gutters, ductwork, and other functional sheet-metal work belong to the C-43 (Sheet Metal) classification.
A C-23 contractor performs the welding required to fabricate ornamental metal as part of the C-23, a separate C-60 (Welding) license is only needed when welding is offered as a standalone trade.
Ornamental ironwork is generally classified as C-23 even where it resembles fencing, but neither regulation explicitly draws this line (CSLB determines the applicable classification case-by-case based on the specific work); general non-masonry fencing is the C-13 trade.
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-23 Ornamental Metal exam?

California requires you to pass a two-part CSLB exam: the Law & Business exam (the same for every classification) and the C-23 Ornamental Metal trade exam. CSLS has observed scores of 65% for Law & Business and 70% for the C-23 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-23 Trade Exam

Ornamental Metal-specific

about 100 questions, multiple choice, computer-based
3.5 hours allotted
Topics: ornamental metal fabrication, forging and casting, welding and finishing, metal types and properties, anchoring and installation, blueprint reading, safety

How to Get Your C-23 Ornamental Metal 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 ornamental metal 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-23 Trade. Multiple choice, computer-based. CSLS has observed scores of 65% Law & Business / 70% C-23 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-23 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-23 license. You're officially in business.

Exam Prep Programs

Compare C-23 Ornamental Metal Exam Prep Programs

Every program prepares you for the required CSLB exam for C-23 Ornamental Metal. 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-23 Ornamental Metal $1,195.00 Value: $2,500	Live Online C-23 Ornamental Metal $695.00 Value: $995	Crash Course C-23 Ornamental Metal $495.00 Value: $695	Home Study C-23 Ornamental Metal $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-23 Ornamental Metal license FAQ

The C-23 (Ornamental Metal) covers architectural and decorative metalwork, railings, gates, bronze doors, and ornamental iron. The C-51 (Structural Steel) covers load-bearing structural members such as columns, beams, and building frames. The boundary is ornamental versus structural: if the metal is for appearance, it's C-23; if it carries building load, it's C-51.

The C-23 (Ornamental Metal) covers decorative architectural metalwork and specifically excludes sheet metal. The C-43 (Sheet Metal) covers functional sheet-metal items, cornices, flashings, gutters, ductwork, and metal roofing. Ornamental and decorative metal is C-23; functional sheet metal is C-43.

No. The C-23 regulation includes welding as one of the methods used to fabricate ornamental metal, so a C-23 contractor self-performs that welding under the C-23. A separate C-60 (Welding) license is only required when welding is offered as a standalone trade rather than as part of building ornamental metalwork.

Plan on roughly $885 in required costs before exam prep: the $450 application fee (both exams), $200 license issuance, about $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, both exams, and posting the bond. With CSLS exam prep, most students are exam-ready in 4–6 weeks.

The C-23 trade exam is multiple-choice and covers ornamental metal fabrication, forging and casting, welding and finishing, metal properties, and anchoring. 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 ornamental metal 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.

Since 1985

40+ Years

200,000+

Students Licensed

99% Pass Rate

First-Time

100% Money-Back Guarantee

Tuition Refund

Become a Licensed C-23 Ornamental Metal Contractor

What does a C-23 Ornamental Metal contractor do?

Scope of work

Important notes

What's on the C-23 Ornamental Metal exam?

Law & Business

C-23 Trade Exam

How to Get Your C-23 Ornamental Metal 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-23 Ornamental Metal Exam Prep Programs

Labor Day Promo 2026

What our Ornamental Metal students say

Try a free C-23 Ornamental Metal practice exam

C-23 Ornamental Metal license FAQ

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