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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.

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Become a Licensed C-35 Lathing & Plastering Contractor

The C-35 Lathing and Plastering license covers wet plaster and stucco, the lath, base, and finish coats that form permanent, durable wall surfaces.

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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 / 68% Trade; not published as fixed by CSLB
Application fee
$450

License renews every 2 years. Governing code: CCR §832.35

About this classification

What does a C-35 Lathing & Plastering contractor do?

Under California Code of Regulations Title 16, §832.35, a C-35 Lathing and Plastering Contractor applies coatings of "sand, gypsum plaster, quick-lime or hydrated lime and water, or sand and cement and water" to produce permanent finishes, and installs the "lath (including metal studs)" that holds them.

The C-35 is the plasterer's license, the wet-trade counterpart to drywall. C-35 contractors apply stucco and plaster, install the metal or wire lath that backs it, and build the solid plaster partitions and channel work that support these finishes.

The scope covers trowel- and spray-applied plaster, including soundproofing and fireproofing applications, plus the lath, channel work, and metal studs used as the base for solid plaster.

Official source: CSLB C-35 classification · CSLB fee schedule Last reviewed: March 2026

Scope of work

  • Three-coat exterior stucco
  • Metal and wire lath installation
  • Interior gypsum and lime plaster
  • EIFS (exterior insulation finish systems)
  • Plaster veneer over blue board
  • Solid plaster partitions
  • Spray-applied fireproofing on steel
  • Channel work and metal studs for solid plaster
  • Soundproofing plaster applications

Important notes

  • C-35 vs. C-9: the C-35 covers wet plaster and stucco over lath; the C-9 (Drywall) covers dry gypsum wallboard. Wet plaster and stucco are C-35; gypsum board is C-9.
  • A C-35 contractor can install the lath and metal studs that back solid plaster, but a multi-trade building project as prime requires the B (General Building) license.
  • A C-35 contractor can apply EIFS and spray fireproofing, but masonry walls and ceramic veneer fall under the C-29 (Masonry) classification.
  • Projects over $1,000 (labor and materials combined) require a license. Workers' compensation coverage is required once you have employees; sole owners with no employees may file a no-employee exemption (BPC §7125(b)).
  • The former C-26 Lathing classification was merged into the C-35, so lathing and plastering are now licensed together.

The CSLB exam

What's on the C-35 Lathing & Plastering exam?

California requires you to pass a two-part CSLB exam: the Law & Business exam (the same for every classification) and the C-35 Lathing & Plastering trade exam. CSLS has observed scores of 65% for Law & Business and 68% for the C-35 trade exam. CSLB does not publish fixed passing scores and may vary them by exam version.

1

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
2

C-35 Trade Exam

Lathing & Plastering-specific

  • about 115 questions, multiple choice, computer-based
  • 3.5 hours allotted
  • Topics: lath installation, base and finish plaster coats, stucco systems, EIFS, fireproofing, mix proportions and materials, blueprint reading, building codes

How to Get Your C-35 Lathing & Plastering 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 lathing and plastering 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-35 Trade. Multiple choice, computer-based. CSLS has observed scores of 65% Law & Business / 68% C-35 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-35 license. You're officially in business.

Exam Prep Programs

Compare C-35 Lathing & Plastering Exam Prep Programs

Every program prepares you for the required CSLB exam for C-35 Lathing & Plastering. 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-35 Lathing & Plastering $1,195.00 Value: $2,500 Live Online C-35 Lathing & Plastering $695.00 Value: $995 Crash Course C-35 Lathing & Plastering $495.00 Value: $695 Home Study C-35 Lathing & Plastering $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

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Common Questions

C-35 Lathing & Plastering license FAQ

The C-35 (Lathing and Plastering) covers wet materials, sand, gypsum, lime, and cement plaster, including stucco, applied over lath to form permanent finishes. The C-9 (Drywall) covers dry gypsum wallboard, hung and finished with tape and texture. If you apply stucco or plaster, you need the C-35; if you hang and finish drywall, you need the C-9.
Yes. Three-coat exterior stucco is a core part of the C-35 scope, along with the metal or wire lath that backs it. The C-35 also covers EIFS, interior plaster, plaster veneer over blue board, solid plaster partitions, and spray-applied fireproofing.
A C-35 contractor installs lath and applies wet plaster and stucco, exterior three-coat stucco, interior gypsum and lime plaster, EIFS, plaster veneer, solid plaster partitions, and spray fireproofing on steel. The license covers both the lath base and the plaster finish coats, applied by trowel or spray.
The C-35 is the wet-plaster trade; hanging and finishing dry gypsum wallboard is the C-9 (Drywall) classification. While plaster veneer over blue board is within the C-35 scope, standard taped-and-textured drywall work belongs to the C-9. The two trades are deliberately separated by wet versus dry materials.
4 full-time-equivalent years of journey-level lathing and plastering 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 satisfied with approved technical training, apprenticeship, or education. CSLB requires you to document and verify this experience.
From application to license-in-hand, the path usually runs 2–4 months, CSLB application processing (typically 2–4 weeks), exam scheduling, passing both exams, and posting your $25,000 bond. With CSLS exam prep, most plasterers are exam-ready in 4–6 weeks.
The C-35 trade exam covers lath installation, base and finish plaster coats, stucco and EIFS systems, fireproofing, and mix proportions. 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.

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