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Updated 11 months ago on . Most recent reply
![Jeffrey L Evans's profile image](https://bpimg.biggerpockets.com/no_overlay/uploads/social_user/user_avatar/1196463/1694882972-avatar-jeffreyl84.jpg?twic=v1/output=image/cover=128x128&v=2)
How difficult is to get a California contractor licence?
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?
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- Realtor, General Contractor, and Developer
- Redding, CA & Bend OR
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@Jeffrey L Evans Getting a license in CA is harder than many states. In order to qualify for the test you need to have to have the experience required. As @Manolo D. mentioned, you can go on the website for the CSLB and look at what the requirements are. I got my license back in 1993, so requirements may have changed since then. The law portion of the test is much the same as in real estate. The trade part, is exactly that, information you should know about the trade.
- Karen Margrave