Licensed refrigeration contractor servicing a commercial walk-in cooler

Become a Licensed C-38 Refrigeration Contractor

The C-38 Refrigeration classification serves the commercial cold chain, walk-in coolers, freezers, ice machines, and cold-storage systems that keep food and product below 50°F.

View Exam Prep Programs

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 §832.38

About this classification

What does a C-38 Refrigeration contractor do?

A C-38 Refrigeration Contractor constructs, fabricates, erects, installs, maintains, services, and repairs refrigerators, refrigerated rooms, and insulated refrigerated spaces, including the temperature insulation, AC units, ducts, blowers, registers, and humidity and thermostatic controls that serve them. (Per California Code of Regulations, Title 16, §832.38.)

The defining boundary is temperature. California requires a C-38 contractor for spaces maintained below 50°F (10°C): walk-in coolers and freezers, refrigerated display cases, cold-storage warehouses, ice machines, and blast freezers. Comfort cooling above 50°F, ordinary air conditioning, falls under the C-20 instead.

Official source: CSLB C-38 classification · CSLB fee schedule Last reviewed: March 2026

Scope of work

Commercial walk-in coolers and freezers
Refrigerated display and merchandising cases
Cold-storage warehouse refrigeration systems
Ice machines and ice-making systems
Blast freezers and rapid-chill equipment
Compressor, condenser, and evaporator service
Refrigerated-space temperature insulation
Blowers, ducts, and registers serving refrigerated spaces
Humidity and thermostatic controls for refrigeration
Insulated refrigerated spaces (stationary)

High-demand specialties

Supermarket Refrigeration, Display cases and rack systems are a specialized, steady niche
Cold Storage, Warehouse and distribution refrigeration for the food supply chain
Ice Machines, Restaurants, hotels, and healthcare need constant service and replacement
Walk-In Service, Restaurants and groceries rely on fast cooler and freezer repair

Important notes

The C-38 covers refrigeration for spaces below 50°F. Comfort air conditioning and warm-air heating above 50°F require a C-20 (HVAC) license.
A C-38 contractor may install the AC units, ducts, blowers, and controls that serve a refrigerated space, but the license is centered on refrigeration, not general comfort cooling.
Insulation work that is part of a refrigerated space falls within C-38 scope; standalone building insulation is C-2.
Any refrigeration project over $1,000 requires a licensed contractor. California also requires workers' compensation coverage for licensees.

The CSLB exam

What's on the C-38 Refrigeration exam?

California requires you to pass a two-part CSLB exam: the Law & Business exam (the same for every classification) and the C-38 Refrigeration trade exam. CSLS has observed scores of 65% for Law & Business and 68% for the C-38 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-38 Trade Exam

Refrigeration-specific

about 100 questions, multiple choice, computer-based
3.5 hours allotted
Topics: refrigeration cycle, compressors and condensers, evaporators, refrigerant handling, controls, insulation, cold-storage system design, service and troubleshooting

How to Get Your C-38 Refrigeration 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 refrigeration 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-38 Trade. Multiple choice, computer-based. CSLS has observed scores of 65% Law & Business / 68% C-38 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-38 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-38 license. You're officially in business.

Exam Prep Programs

Compare C-38 Refrigeration Exam Prep Programs

Every program prepares you for the required CSLB exam for C-38 Refrigeration. 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-38 Refrigeration $1,195.00 Value: $2,500	Live Online C-38 Refrigeration $695.00 Value: $995	Crash Course C-38 Refrigeration $495.00 Value: $695	Home Study C-38 Refrigeration $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.

Labor Day

Labor Day Promo 2026

$1,449.00 $795.00

Offer ends in

Days

Hours

Min

Sec

This offer has ended.

Valid through 12:00 am PDT, October 1, 2026.

Get this bundle View offer details

What our Refrigeration students say

Free Resources

Try a free C-38 Refrigeration practice exam

Test your knowledge with a free 40-question practice exam and get 14 days of online access.
No credit card required.

Common Questions

C-38 Refrigeration license FAQ

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

4 full-time-equivalent years of journey-level refrigeration 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 3 years can be satisfied with approved apprenticeship or technical training. CSLB verifies the experience you claim.

The dividing line is 50°F. A C-38 (Refrigeration) contractor handles spaces maintained below 50°F: walk-in coolers, freezers, ice machines, refrigerated display cases, and cold-storage warehouses. A C-20 (HVAC) contractor handles comfort cooling and warm-air heating for spaces above 50°F. If a grocery store needs both its store AC and its freezer cases, that's typically C-20 for the comfort cooling and C-38 for the refrigeration.

Yes. Ice machines and ice-making systems fall squarely within the C-38 refrigeration scope. Commercial ice equipment for restaurants, hotels, and healthcare facilities is a steady niche, both new installations and ongoing service and replacement.

Budget about $885 minimum before exam prep: $450 for the application (both exams), $200 for initial license issuance, roughly $150 for your first year of $25,000 bond premium, and about $85 for fingerprinting. The bond is a premium you pay, not cash you post.

The C-38 trade exam is computer-based and covers the refrigeration cycle, compressors and condensers, evaporators, refrigerant handling, controls, and cold-storage system design. 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.

A C-38 contractor can install the AC units, ducts, and controls that serve a refrigerated space, but the license is built around refrigeration below 50°F. General comfort air conditioning for occupied buildings above 50°F is C-20 (HVAC) work. Many refrigeration contractors hold both the C-38 and C-20 to cover the full range of cooling jobs.

CSLB evaluates reciprocity case-by-case (BPC §7065.4) and may waive the trade exam if your out-of-state license has been in good standing for the past five years; CSLB names no fixed list of reciprocal states. If you hold an equivalent active refrigeration license in one of those states, your C-38 trade exam may be waived, but you still must pass the California Law and Business exam and meet all other requirements.

Since 1985

40+ Years

200,000+

Students Licensed

99% Pass Rate

First-Time

100% Money-Back Guarantee

Tuition Refund

Become a Licensed C-38 Refrigeration Contractor

What does a C-38 Refrigeration contractor do?

Scope of work

High-demand specialties

Important notes

What's on the C-38 Refrigeration exam?

Law & Business

C-38 Trade Exam

How to Get Your C-38 Refrigeration 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-38 Refrigeration Exam Prep Programs

Labor Day Promo 2026

What our Refrigeration students say

Try a free C-38 Refrigeration practice exam

C-38 Refrigeration license FAQ

Ready to get your C-38 Refrigeration license?

Select Your Trade Classification

Exam Prep Programs, Side by Side