Solar contractor installing rooftop photovoltaic panels

Become a Licensed C-46 Solar Contractor

The C-46 Solar license is built for the solar-focused contractor, install photovoltaic arrays, solar thermal systems, and battery storage across one of the strongest solar markets in the country.

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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 §832.46

About this classification

What does a C-46 Solar contractor do?

A C-46 Solar Contractor installs, modifies, maintains, and repairs thermal and photovoltaic solar energy systems as its primary function. A C-46 may perform work in other trades only when that work is required to install a solar system.

Per California Code of Regulations (Title 16, §832.46), the C-46 contractor's primary business is solar energy systems, rooftop and ground-mount PV, solar thermal water heating, and the racking, inverters, and connections those systems require. It is a focused specialty, not a general electrical license.

California's solar mandate on new construction and its battery-storage incentives make the C-46 one of the most demand-driven specialty classifications in the state. A solar-only company typically holds the C-46; a contractor who also wants full electrical scope holds the C-10.

Official source: CSLB C-46 classification · CSLB fee schedule Last reviewed: March 2026

Scope of work

Rooftop photovoltaic (PV) array installation
Ground-mount PV systems
Solar racking and mounting
Inverter installation and connection
Solar thermal (hot water) systems
Solar pool heating
Battery storage incidental to a solar install (capped scope, see notes)
PV system expansion and repair

High-demand specialties

Residential PV, Rooftop arrays driven by California's solar mandate
Battery Storage, incidental to a PV install for resilience and self-consumption (capped scope)
Solar Thermal, Hot-water and pool-heating systems
Commercial & Ground-Mount, Larger arrays for businesses and agriculture

Important notes

The C-46 is solar-only, it cannot perform general electrical work. A C-46 may do other-trade work (including incidental electrical or roofing) only when required to install a solar system.
A contractor who wants both full electrical scope and solar should hold the C-10, which explicitly names solar photovoltaic cells in its regulation.
Incidental roofing is allowed only as needed for the solar installation, standalone roofing requires a C-39.
A C-46 cannot install, connect, modify, maintain, or repair a battery energy storage system except as "incidental and supplemental" to a PV install, capped at 80 kWh (CCR §832.46(b)-(c)); this provision was marked as having a stayed effective date in the 2026 Law Book printing, so confirm current status with CSLB.
Projects over $1,000 (labor + materials) require a license, and 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-46 Solar exam?

California requires you to pass a two-part CSLB exam: the Law & Business exam (the same for every classification) and the C-46 Solar trade exam. CSLS has observed scores of 65% for Law & Business and 70% for the C-46 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-46 Trade Exam

Solar-specific

about 100 questions, multiple choice, computer-based
3.5 hours allotted
Topics: solar PV fundamentals, system sizing and load analysis, racking and mounting, inverters and connections, solar thermal, codes and permitting, safety

How to Get Your C-46 Solar 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 solar installation 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-46 Trade. Multiple choice, computer-based. CSLS has observed scores of 65% Law & Business / 70% C-46 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-46 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-46 license. You're officially in business.

Career outlook

Why get your C-46 Solar license?

$50K–$80K

Typical CA Installer Range

$70K–$150K+

Owner / Contractor Range

99%

First-Time Pass Rate

Mandate-driven demand

California requires solar on most new homes and offers strong storage incentives, keeping installation demand high. Solar installers in the state typically earn in the $50,000–$80,000 range as employees, and the work pipeline spans residential, commercial, and agricultural ground-mount projects.

A focused, fast-growing trade

The C-46 lets you specialize entirely in solar without carrying the breadth of a full electrical license. Battery storage and solar-thermal niches add steady demand, and the focused exam scope makes it an accessible license for installers ready to go independent.

Premium earning potential

Licensed C-46 contractors running their own businesses commonly earn $70,000–$150,000 or more, depending on project volume and region. The license is legally required for projects over $1,000 and opens access to larger commercial solar and storage contracts.

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

Exam Prep Programs

Compare C-46 Solar Exam Prep Programs

Every program prepares you for the required CSLB exam for C-46 Solar. 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-46 Solar $1,195.00 Value: $2,500	Live Online C-46 Solar $695.00 Value: $995	Crash Course C-46 Solar $495.00 Value: $695	Home Study C-46 Solar $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-46 Solar license FAQ

The C-46 (Solar) is a focused specialty, its primary function is installing solar energy systems, and it can only touch other trades when required to install a solar system. The C-10 (Electrical) covers all electrical work, including solar PV, which is explicitly named in its regulation. If your business is solar-only, the C-46 fits; if you want full electrical scope plus solar, get the C-10.

No. The C-46 is limited to solar energy systems and the related work needed to install them. A C-46 cannot perform general electrical work such as panel upgrades or branch circuits unless that work is directly required for the solar installation. General electrical scope requires a C-10.

A C-46 may perform incidental roofing only when it is required to install the solar system, for example, flashing and sealing around roof penetrations for the array. Standalone roofing work, such as replacing a roof, requires a C-39 Roofing license.

Budget about $885 in state and processing costs before exam prep: roughly $450 for the application (both exams bundled), $200 for license issuance, around $150 for the first-year premium on your $25,000 bond, and about $85 for fingerprinting. Business insurance and renewals are separate.

Typically 2–4 months from application to license-in-hand, including CSLB processing (2–4 weeks), scheduling and passing both exams, and posting your $25,000 bond. With CSLS exam prep, most solar installers are exam-ready in 4–6 weeks.

4 full-time-equivalent years of journey-level solar installation 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.

The C-46 trade exam is multiple-choice and covers PV fundamentals, system sizing, racking and mounting, inverters, solar thermal, and codes. 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.

California has reciprocity with Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, and North Carolina that may waive the C-46 trade exam if you hold a comparable license in good standing. You still must pass the California Law and Business exam and meet all application requirements. CSLS can help you confirm whether your license qualifies.

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40+ Years

200,000+

Students Licensed

99% Pass Rate

First-Time

100% Money-Back Guarantee

Tuition Refund

Become a Licensed C-46 Solar Contractor

What does a C-46 Solar contractor do?

Scope of work

High-demand specialties

Important notes

What's on the C-46 Solar exam?

Law & Business

C-46 Trade Exam

How to Get Your C-46 Solar 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-46 Solar license?

Mandate-driven demand

A focused, fast-growing trade

Premium earning potential

Compare C-46 Solar Exam Prep Programs

Labor Day Promo 2026

What our Solar students say

Try a free C-46 Solar practice exam

C-46 Solar license FAQ

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