How difficult is to get a California contractor licence?

[Jeffrey L Evans]

Hello all, 

I am planning to start a construction agency business in the coming months. In California, to work as a contractor, we need to obtain a contractor licence from Contractors State License Board. Based on what I have heard there are two tests we have to pass in order to be qualified as a contractor. One is a law test and another one is a trade test. And, it is hard to pass the exams it seems. I heard it takes years to get the licence in the state of California. I don't know why but, it is better in other states it seems. Anyway, I am thinking of joining a  California contractor school to pass the tests. I would like to know whether anyone here has ever tried to get a contractor licence in the state of California? How was the whole process? Were the exams easy? To others, how long does it take to get a licence in your state? Is it easy to obtain a licence there in your state?