Licensed painting contractor rolling an exterior wall coating

Become a Licensed C-33 Painting and Decorating Contractor

The C-33 Painting and Decorating classification is one of California's most accessible high-volume contractor licenses, covering interior and exterior painting, wallcoverings, and protective coatings for residential and commercial work.

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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 / 65% Trade; not published as fixed by CSLB
Application fee: $450

License renews every 2 years. Governing code: CCR §832.33

About this classification

What does a C-33 Painting and Decorating contractor do?

Under the California Code of Regulations (Title 16, §832.33), a C-33 Painting and Decorating Contractor prepares surfaces and applies "paints, papers, textures, fabrics, pigments, oils, turpentines, japans, driers, thinners, varnishes, shellacs, stains, fillers, waxes, adhesives" and similar materials for the purposes of decorating, protecting, fireproofing, and waterproofing. This means a C-33 contractor handles the full finishing cycle, from prep through the final coat.

The C-33 is a high-demand, high-volume California specialty because every building gets painted and every coating eventually fails and needs renewal. Licensed C-33 contractors work across new-construction repaint-outs, commercial maintenance contracts, exterior elastomeric waterproofing, wallcovering installs, and intumescent fireproofing on structural steel.

Official source: CSLB C-33 classification · CSLB fee schedule Last reviewed: March 2026

Scope of work

Interior and exterior painting (residential and commercial)
Surface preparation, scraping, sanding, sandblasting, masking
Elastomeric and waterproof coatings on walls and surfaces
Wallpaper and wallcovering installation
Texture and faux-finish application
Stains, varnishes, shellacs, and clear protective finishes
Intumescent fireproofing coatings on structural steel
Application of fillers, waxes, and adhesives
Primers and sealers on new drywall and stucco
Repaint and recoat of fading or chalking facades

High-demand specialties

Elastomeric Waterproofing, High-build wall coatings that bridge hairline cracks on stucco and masonry
Commercial Repaint Contracts, Recurring maintenance work for HOAs, property managers, and retail
Intumescent Fireproofing, Code-required coatings on exposed structural steel
New-Construction Paint-Out, Volume production painting for tract and multifamily builders

Important notes

A C-33 contractor can apply both paint and wallpaper, the classification covers paperhanging, so a separate paperhanging license is not required.
A C-33 contractor cannot waterproof a roof, roof waterproofing and membrane work fall under the C-39 (Roofing) classification. The C-33 covers wall and surface coatings only.
A C-33 contractor cannot disturb lead-based paint or asbestos as a primary activity, lead and asbestos must be abated by a properly certified contractor before the C-33 repaints the surface.
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-33 Painting and Decorating exam?

California requires you to pass a two-part CSLB exam: the Law & Business exam (the same for every classification) and the C-33 Painting and Decorating trade exam. CSLS has observed scores of 65% for Law & Business and 65% for the C-33 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-33 Trade Exam

Painting and Decorating-specific

about 100 questions, multiple choice, computer-based
3.5 hours allotted
Topics: surface preparation, paint and coating systems, application methods, waterproofing, safety, estimating, blueprint reading

How to Get Your C-33 Painting and Decorating 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 painting and decorating 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.

Compare programs

Step 4

Pass the Exam

Two parts: Law & Business (115q, 3.5 hrs) + C-33 Trade. Multiple choice, computer-based. CSLS has observed scores of 65% Law & Business / 65% C-33 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-33 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-33 license. You're officially in business.

Career outlook

Why get your C-33 Painting and Decorating license?

$54,030

CA Mean Wage, Painters (BLS)

99%

CSLS First-Time Pass Rate

Low barrier, high volume

Painting is one of the most accessible trades to enter and one of the most consistent to stay busy in, every structure in California needs paint, and every coating eventually fails. The C-33 lets you take any painting or coating job over $1,000 legally and bid larger commercial and new-construction contracts.

Recurring maintenance work

Exterior coatings in California sun break down on a predictable cycle, which makes repaint and recoat work recurring rather than one-time. HOAs, property managers, and commercial owners contract C-33 painters on rotation, a steady revenue base most trades do not have.

Premium earning potential

California painters earn a mean wage of $54,030 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), above the national mean for the trade. Painting employees work for a wage; licensed C-33 contractors who run their own crews and bid their own work capture the markup on labor and materials, which is where the real income in this trade lives.

C-33 vs. C-39: wall vs. roof

The C-33 covers waterproofing on walls and surfaces; roof waterproofing and membrane work belong to the C-39 (Roofing) classification. If your work is decks, parapets, and wall coatings, the C-33 fits. If you seal the roof itself, you need the C-39.

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES) and California EDD.

Exam Prep Programs

Compare C-33 Painting and Decorating Exam Prep Programs

Every program prepares you for the required CSLB exam for C-33 Painting and Decorating. 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-33 Painting and Decorating $1,195.00 Value: $2,500	Live Online C-33 Painting and Decorating $695.00 Value: $995	Crash Course C-33 Painting and Decorating $495.00 Value: $695	Home Study C-33 Painting and Decorating $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-33 Painting and Decorating license FAQ

The C-33 (Painting and Decorating) covers waterproofing and protective coatings on walls and surfaces, facades, decks, parapets, and elastomeric wall coatings. The C-39 (Roofing) covers products that seal and waterproof the roof itself, including membranes, shingles, and foam roofing. The dividing line is the surface: walls and vertical surfaces are C-33, the roof is C-39. If you waterproof both, you need both classifications.

Yes. The C-33 classification specifically includes papers and wallcoverings alongside paint, so a C-33 contractor can both paint and hang wallpaper under one license. You do not need a separate paperhanging endorsement to install wallcoverings as a licensed painting and decorating contractor.

Yes, any painting project over $1,000 (labor and materials combined) requires a licensed contractor in California. Working without a license above that amount is illegal and, under Business and Professions Code §7031, an unlicensed contractor cannot sue to collect payment for the work. A C-33 license removes that cap and lets you bid commercial and new-construction jobs.

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

4 full-time-equivalent years of journey-level painting and decorating 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-33 trade exam is a multiple-choice test covering surface preparation, coating systems, application methods, waterproofing, 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-33 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 all bonding and insurance requirements before the license is issued.

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Tuition Refund

Become a Licensed C-33 Painting and Decorating Contractor

What does a C-33 Painting and Decorating contractor do?

Scope of work

High-demand specialties

Important notes

What's on the C-33 Painting and Decorating exam?

Law & Business

C-33 Trade Exam

How to Get Your C-33 Painting and Decorating License

Qualify

Apply to CSLB

Study & Prepare

Pass the Exam

Get Licensed

Qualify

Apply to CSLB

Study & Prepare

Pass the Exam

Get Licensed

Why get your C-33 Painting and Decorating license?

Low barrier, high volume

Recurring maintenance work

Premium earning potential

C-33 vs. C-39: wall vs. roof

Compare C-33 Painting and Decorating Exam Prep Programs

Labor Day Promo 2026

What our Painting and Decorating students say

Try a free C-33 Painting and Decorating practice exam

C-33 Painting and Decorating license FAQ

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