Tile contractor setting ceramic tile on a bathroom floor

Become a Licensed C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile Contractor

The C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile classification covers the contractors who set glazed, ceramic, mosaic, and stone tile across California, from showers and backsplashes to commercial floors.

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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 / 64% Trade; not published as fixed by CSLB
Application fee: $450

License renews every 2 years. Governing code: CCR §832.54

About this classification

What does a C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile contractor do?

Under California Code of Regulations (Title 16, §832.54), a C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile Contractor installs "glazed wall, ceramic, mosaic, quarry, paver, faience, glass mosaic and stone tiles," thin tile that resembles brick, and natural or simulated stone slabs for bathtubs, showers, and horizontal surfaces inside of buildings, "excluding hollow or structural partition tile." This license covers finished tile and interior stone-surface work.

The C-54 is the tile-setting specialty. C-54 contractors install ceramic floor tile, mosaic backsplashes, natural-stone flooring, porcelain shower surrounds, quarry tile, and glass-mosaic feature walls, preparing the surface and setting the tile in mortar or thin-set.

Official source: CSLB C-54 classification · CSLB fee schedule Last reviewed: March 2026

Scope of work

Glazed wall and ceramic floor tile
Mosaic and glass-mosaic tile (backsplashes, feature walls)
Natural and simulated stone tile (any location) and stone slabs for interior bathtubs, showers, and horizontal surfaces (marble, travertine)
Porcelain shower and tub surrounds
Quarry and paver tile (commercial kitchens, patios)
Faience tile
Thin tile resembling brick
Surface preparation and setting beds for tile

Important notes

The C-54 covers ceramic, mosaic, and stone tile. All other flooring, carpet, wood floors, resilient and sheet vinyl, and luxury vinyl tile, is C-15 (Flooring and Floor Covering) work; the C-15 scope specifically excludes ceramic tile.
The C-54 covers finished tile; masonry veneer such as ceramic veneer and thin-brick veneer set as masonry is C-29 (Masonry) work. The boundary is tile versus masonry veneer.
The C-54 excludes hollow or structural partition tile, that is structural masonry, not finish tile.
On residential remodels using three or more trades, tile may be installed under a B-2 (Residential Remodeling) license, but tile as a standalone trade is C-54.
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-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile exam?

California requires you to pass a two-part CSLB exam: the Law & Business exam (the same for every classification) and the C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile trade exam. CSLS has observed scores of 65% for Law & Business and 64% for the C-54 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-54 Trade Exam

Ceramic and Mosaic Tile-specific

about 100 questions, multiple choice, computer-based
3.5 hours allotted
Topics: tile materials, substrate and surface prep, mortar and thin-set, waterproofing and membranes, layout and setting, grouting, blueprint reading, safety

How to Get Your C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile 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 ceramic and mosaic tile 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-54 Trade. Multiple choice, computer-based. CSLS has observed scores of 65% Law & Business / 64% C-54 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-54 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-54 license. You're officially in business.

Exam Prep Programs

Compare C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile Exam Prep Programs

Every program prepares you for the required CSLB exam for C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile. 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-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile $1,195.00 Value: $2,500	Live Online C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile $695.00 Value: $995	Crash Course C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile $495.00 Value: $695	Home Study C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile $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-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile license FAQ

The C-54 (Ceramic and Mosaic Tile) covers ceramic, mosaic, quarry, glass, and stone tile. The C-15 (Flooring and Floor Covering) covers all other flooring, carpet, wood floors, resilient and sheet vinyl, and luxury vinyl tile, and specifically excludes ceramic tile. If you set ceramic or stone tile, you need the C-54; if you install carpet or wood flooring, you need the C-15.

The C-54 (Ceramic and Mosaic Tile) covers finished tile, glazed, ceramic, mosaic, and stone tile for floors, showers, and surfaces. The C-29 (Masonry) covers masonry units and includes ceramic veneer and thin-brick veneer set as masonry. The dividing line is tile versus masonry veneer: a tiled bathroom is C-54, a stone-veneer wall is C-29.

Yes. The C-54 scope includes natural and simulated stone tiles, and stone slabs (marble, travertine, and similar) for bathtubs, showers, and horizontal surfaces inside of buildings. Setting stone tile and interior slab finishes is squarely within the C-54 classification; the regulation doesn't clearly extend the slab scope to exterior installations.

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

The C-54 trade exam is multiple-choice and covers tile materials, substrate and surface prep, thin-set and mortar, waterproofing, layout, and grouting. 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 ceramic and mosaic tile 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

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200,000+

Students Licensed

99% Pass Rate

First-Time

100% Money-Back Guarantee

Tuition Refund

Become a Licensed C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile Contractor

What does a C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile contractor do?

Scope of work

Important notes

What's on the C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile exam?

Law & Business

C-54 Trade Exam

How to Get Your C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile 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-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile Exam Prep Programs

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What our Ceramic and Mosaic Tile students say

Try a free C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile practice exam

C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile license FAQ

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