California General Building Contractor License (B)
| Requirements: |
- A General Building Contractors License in California is required for projects that exceed $500.
- To become a licensed contractor, candidates will have to sit for two exams: business and law and their trade.
- In order to sit for the examinations, the board must first approve your application.
- Pre-approval from the state is required to sit for the examination.
- Applicants are required to have 4 years experience to qualify to take the exam. Experience must be at the journeyman, foreman or supervisor, contractor, or as an owner-builder.
- All applicants must have a working capital of at least $2,500. In addition, all applicants must also file a bond with the Registrar in the amount of $10,000.
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| Services: |
An general building contractor in California is principally involved with any structure built that is for the support, shelter, and enclosure of persons, animals, chattels, or moveable property of any kind that requires in its construction the use of at least two unrelated trades.
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| Applications: |
The exam fee is included with the $250 application fee. The initial license fee for two years is an additional $150. An application for licensure can be obtained from the California Contractors State License Board by calling 1-800-321-2752. |
| Reciprocity: |
Limited agreements with Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. |
| Continuing Education: |
There is none at this time. |
| Exam: |
- The California General Building Contractor exam has approximately 100 questions and a time limit of 2 1/2 hours.
- A 72% is required to pass.
- Topics on the exam include estimation, plans, and specifications; framing and structural components; safety; core trades; and finish trades.
- The exam fee is included with the $250 application fee.
- After the board has approved your application, they will inform you of the testing date.
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| References: |
The following references are recommended to study for the California General Building Contractor exam. However, they are NOT allowed into the exam. They are available for purchase from our online contractor's bookstore or by calling our office at 1-800-952-0910.
- 2001 California Building Code (Volumes 1 and 2)
- 2001 California Mechanical Code
- 2001 California Plumbing Code
- 2003 California Disabled Accessibility Guidebook (CalDAG)
- 2004 California Electrical Code
- 2005 California Energy Code
- Cal/OSHA Construction and Electrical Safety Orders
- Construction: Principles, Materials, and Methods
- Finish Carpenter's Manual
- Reader's Digest Complete Do-it-Yourself Manual
- Residential and Light Commercial Construction Standards
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| Training: |
We currently do not offer a review for the California General Building Contractor exam at this time. However, we do offer several online math courses and practice tests that can help prepare for certain sections on the exam. For more information, contact our office at 1-800-952-0910.
Study Guide Price: Coming Soon!
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