Monthly Archives: December 2023

C-4 Boiler, Hot Water Heating and Steam Fitting Contractor: A Comprehensive Guide

What is the C-4 License?

The C-4 Boiler, Hot Water Heating, and Steam Fitting Contractor is the license assigned to contractors in California working on jobs involving hot water systems – boiler systems, steamfitting, heat pumps, and so on.

The C-4 License is designated for painting and decorating contractors in California. It encompasses various activities such as scraping, sandblasting, and applying paints, textures, fabrics, pigments, oils, varnishes, shellacs, stains, fillers, and adhesives.

The Contractors State License Board (CSLB)

The CSLB is the state agency in California responsible for licensing and regulating contractors in the construction industry, including the C-4 License. Everything you do related to the C-4 license

  • Application Process: The CSLB manages all the applications for a C-4 contractor
  • Qualifications and Experience: The CSLB sets eligibility criteria, including a combination of education, work experience, and/or apprenticeship training
  • Examinations: The CSLB administers the trade-specific and law & business exams necessary for licensure
  • Background Checks: The CSLB verifies identity and criminal history of all contractors
  • Licensing and Renewal: The CSLB issues and renews all contractor licenses
  • Consumer Complaints and Investigations: The CSLB handles complaints and can take disciplinary action against contractors through their enforcement division, SWIFT.

What Does A Boiler, Hot Water Heating, and Steam Fitting Contractor Do?

Luckily for us, this classification is easy to understand and very straightforward: if you’re painting or decorating a home with materials and labor costing $500, you’re doing C-4 work.

Key Duties

  • Demolishing and removing existing boilers or heating devices.
  • Installation, maintenance, and repair of various boiler systems
  • Testing, audits, and preventative maintenance
  • Design and engineering of advanced mechanical systems
  • Monitoring of boiler and heating systems and emergency services

Most Common Types of Jobs For C-4 Contractors

In your day-to-day work as a C-4 Contractor, you’ll most likely find yourself working on these types of jobs:

  • Boiler Services: Demolishing and removing existing boilers, boiler troubleshooting, and boiler system maintenance, repair, and retrofit.
  • Installation and Engineering: Installation and engineering of advanced mechanical systems, including radiant panel design and engineering, and the installation of new boiler systems after preparing the job site.
  • System Maintenance, Repair, and Retrofitting: Emphasizing the ongoing care and upgrades of boiler systems. In California in particular, retrofitting is an extremely lucrative area for any contractor.
  • Emergency Services: 24/7 emergency services and monthly monitoring for various boiler systems.
  • Environmental and Energy Efficiency Services: Fuel efficiency, energy optimization, and energy audits, for example: AQMD compliance testing.
  • Specialized Hot Water Systems: Specialty systems like hotel steam boilers, school and hospital boiler systems, and residential hydronic boiler systems.
    Hydronics and Heat Transfer Solutions: IRadiant heat systems, heat services, and hydronic baseboard retrofits.
  • Planning, Estimation, and Customer Service: Planning and estimating boiler projects. Communicating with customers, whether gencons or homeowners, is something you’ll do every day.
  • Safety: Ensuring constant personnel and job site safety, including confined space work and handling dangerous materials.
  • Power Boiler Installations: Installation, service, and repair of fire-tube and water-tube steel power boilers and hot-water heating low-pressure boilers.
  • Steam Fitting and Piping: It’s in the name – you’ll be doing a ton of installation and maintenance of steam fitting and piping systems, along with fittings, valves, gauges, and pumps. If it’s high-pressure, you can work on it.
  • Radiators and Convectors: You already know this, but you’ll be working on a ton of radiators, convectors, fuel oil tanks, fuel oil lines, chimneys, flues, and heat insulation.
  • Solar Heating Equipment: The C-4 license also covers work related to solar heating equipment associated with these systems.

Who Needs the C-4 License?

Contractors who do any sort of heating, steam-fitting, or boiler work. If you do any sort of hot water work or work involved in pressurized water involving project costs over $500, you absolutely need a C-4 license.

In reality, that means most anyone doing this work, as anything involving boilers or furnaces or chimneys or anything of that sort will involve expensive materials and labor.

When Do You Need a C-4 License?

Any of the above projects exceeding $500 in labor and materials necessitates a C-4 license. This requirement applies regardless of the project’s complexity or scale.

For smaller projects under $500, a C-4 license is not mandatory. But in reality, that’s rarely applied to anyone working on hot water systems. Considering the cost of most hot water projects, you can expect to need a license.

When it comes to the C-4 license, very few jobs don’t require a C-4 license. You can get away with small jobs like replacing a valve or doing routine testing, but anything beyond basic maintenance will quickly get expensive in California.

How to Get a C-4 License

As established, the CSLB is responsible for licensing, maintaining, and renewing C-4 licenses. There are a number of prerequisites that a contractor must fulfill before the CSLB will assign a C-4 license.

Below you’ll find the requirements for the C-4 License and the Step-By-Step process to get one from the CSLB.

Requirements

  • At least 18 years of age
  • Valid driver’s license or ID
  • Social Security or ITIN number
  • Not on probation or parole
  • Four years of journey-level experience
  • A certifier to verify experience known as the Qualifying Individual
  • Documentation of experience if requested​.

Step-by-Step Process

  • Gain Work Experience: A minimum of four years of experience as a journeyman is required to acquire ANY CSLB license.
  • Get Endorsements: Credible witnesses must testify to the applicant’s background and skills. Usually, this is your boss.
  • Submit A CSLB C-4 License Application: Complete and submit the application with necessary documentation.
  • Pay Fees: Pay all the fees associated with your license.
  • Background Check: Submit fingerprints for a background check.
  • Take the CSLB Exam: This two-part exam has two parts: a painting-specific exam and a law and business exam.
  • Get Bonded And Insured: Obtain a California contractor bond worth $25,000 and Workers’ Compensation insurance for every contractor under the license.
  • Receive Your License And Get To Work!: If you’ve followed all of these steps correctly, expect your license in a few weeks at most.

The C-4 License Application and Exam

The CSLB Exam

In order to get your C-4 license, you must pass the C-4 license examination – a 3.5 hour, 200+ question test that poses a real threat to your C-4 dreams.

The CSLB Exam is notorious for breaking even the smartest, most experienced contractors. This 230-question exam can take up to 6 hours and involves two sections: one on the finer points of painting and decorating, and one section on the business and law of contracting.

Exam Breakdown

  • The exam consists of two parts, each with 115 questions:
    Law & Business Exam: Covering topics like company organization, bidding, cost control, business structures, labor laws, and contractor bonds.
  • Trade-specific Exam: Focusing on planning and estimating, boiler system installation and maintenance, safety, and various other technical aspects of boiler, hot-water heating, and steam fitting.

Timeline From Application To Licensure

It usually takes 6-8 weeks to receive your CSLB license from the time you apply.

The longest period of time you have to wait is waiting for your application to be processed by the CSLB. This currently takes roughly one month but can take up to six weeks. You can check the current status of your application on the CSLB website.

After you apply for your license and receive affirmation from the CSLB, you must pass the CSLB exam. This takes roughly a week.

After you take the test, you’ll know immediately if you passed or failed. If you pass, congratulations! You can deliver your insurance and bonds and get your license!

If you failed the CSLB exam, don’t worry, you can take the test again. Unfortunately, though, you must wait a few weeks before being able to retake the test.

C-4 License Maintenance and Renewal

Renewal Process

The C-4 license must be renewed every two years. If you don’t renew your license in time, it will cost you extra in fees.

Renewal applications must accurately reflect any changes in business information. If you change address, add anyone to your license, or have any changes at all to your C-4 license, make sure you let the CSLB know.

Exam and Re-Examination

  • Exam results are provided immediately after the test, so you’ll know if you passed or not on the day of the exam.
  • Unsuccessful candidates receive a performance breakdown for improvement. If you fail, you’ll know the specific areas that you need to improve upon to pass the exam.
  • If you fail the exam, you can retake the exam as many times as you like. Note that the CSLB charges an examination retaking fee every time you need to retake the exam.

Fees and Costs

There’s a litany of costs associated with getting your C-4 License. At the very least, expect to spend $700 on your license, with fees increasing or decreasing based on your business structure, exam results, and so on.

  • Initial application fee: $500.
  • License fee (sole owner): $200; (non-sole owner): $350.
  • Re-examination fee: $100.
  • Fingerprinting fees: DOJ – $32, FBI – $17​.

Should I Get Multiple Licenses As A C-4 Contractor?

Considering how important and interconnected hot water systems are to the larger construction project, C-4 contractors might find themselves wondering if it makes sense to get additional licenses in order to provide a broader service to your community – and make a little bit of extra money in the process.

The answer is – definitely! If you can handle bigger projects, you can naturally make more money as a contractor, and considering you probably already have broad construction knowledge due to the interconnected nature of hot water systems, it’s absolutely worth it to invest in additional licenses to improve your bottom line.

When it comes to getting additional licenses for C-4 hot water systems contractors, you should look for licenses that are complementary to the C-4 license, involve hot water or heating, or are areas of construction where you have existing knowledge.

Class B General Contractor License: Considering how much you need to know to effectively perform the job of an interconnected hot water system like a boiler or a heat pump, you will naturally learn the skills a gen con needs to succeed as well. Picking up this classification will open up a whole new world of contracting opportunities.

C-36 Plumbing License: Plumbing and heating systems go hand-in-hand on pretty much any project, especially in large buildings like schools or apartment buildings, where heating systems may involve extensive piping. By holding both C-4 and C-36 licenses, you can offer a full range of services related to both plumbing and heating. For example, you can install the boiler, do the pipe installation to the shower, and install the shower piping. If you can do all that for your local community, you will never run out of new clients.

C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning License: The C-20 license is for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning – anyone can see how these two skill sets dovetail. Since HVAC systems often need to integrate with boiler and hot water heating systems, especially in giant commercial or residential complexes, holding both C-4 and C-20 licenses is a no-brainer for hiring managers. Any customer can see the value in someone who can install all of the heating and cooling systems for their project. Not only can you save them money, but you can net a much bigger profit, without much added cost.

Conclusion

If you’re a steamfitter or a hot water systems specialist, we don’t have to tell you – there’s money to be made working on these systems!

It’s a no-brainer to get your C-4 license if you work on anything related to hot water projects in California. It’s a tiny investment in what is an extremely lucrative specialty in a state that will have continued needs for hot water systems contractors.

The CSLB Class A General Engineering License: A Comprehensive Guide

If you’re a contractor, engineer, or someone looking to begin a career down either of these paths, you have probably wondered about the CSLB Class A General Engineering License.

This license covers all the activities of a general engineering contractor in California – everything from planning an interstate highway project to fixing the irrigation system on the Capitol building. We’ll cover what the Class A License is, what jobs you can do, what jobs you can’t do, and so much more.

Let’s dig in!

Defining the Class A General Engineering License

Outlined in the Business & Professions Code Division 3, Chapter 9, Contractors, Article 4, Classifications 7056, the Class A General Engineering Contractor license is required for individuals whose primary contracting work is “associated with fixed works demanding specialized engineering knowledge and skill​.”

According to the CSLB, a general engineering contractor is “a contractor whose principal contracting business is in connection with fixed works requiring specialized engineering knowledge and skill, including the following divisions or subjects: irrigation, drainage, water power, water supply, flood control, inland waterways, harbors, docks and wharves, shipyards and ports, dams and hydroelectric projects, levees, river control and reclamation works, railroads, highways, streets and roads, tunnels, airports and airways, sewers and sewage disposal plants and systems, waste reduction plants, bridges, overpasses, underpasses and other similar works, pipelines and other systems for the transmission of petroleum and other liquid or gaseous substances, parks, playgrounds and other recreational works, refineries, chemical plants and similar industrial plants requiring specialized engineering knowledge and skill, powerhouses, power plants and other utility plants and installations, mines and metallurgical plants, land leveling and earthmoving projects, excavating, grading, trenching, paving and surfacing work and cement and concrete works in connection with the above mentioned fixed works.”

Holy cow – that’s a lot of words!

In short, the CSLB Class A License is predominantly aimed at general contracting tasks encompassing construction, alteration, repair, remodeling, demolition, and the management of various large-scale projects including highways, roads, railroads, and other significant structures within the state of California. Usually, these projects are large in scale and involve teams of Class B and Class A contractors working to execute the project.

Class A contractors, unlike Class B or Class C contractors, have a scope of work that exists outside simple residential or commercial contracting. Unlike these other contractors, Class A contractors work on the “bigger” projects, often governmental projects, involving substantial expertise and scale.

You’ll see Class A contractors on every public works project. If someone’s building a new bridge; if you see sensitive excavation work; if you see a tunnel being dug for a new railway – all of these projects are being overseen by one or multiple Class A contractors.

In general, Class A contractors are “hands-off” contractors, usually involved more in the planning and management of the project, rather than being on-site to oversee teams or performing specialty work. However, Class A contractors may hold Class B or Class C licenses and may do work on their own projects in some situations.

Types of Projects Class A Contractors Do

Class A contractors in California are entrusted with the responsibility of executing fixed works that necessitate specialized engineering knowledge and skill. Unlike Class B and Class C license holders, that usually means big public works projects that involve tons of expertise in physics and engineering.

Usually, these projects are governmental projects where thousands or millions of people will interact with the construction. This high level of use means that an engineer’s knowledge and expertise are necessary to complete the project in a way that is safe and resilient for the public.

Here’s a closer look at common types of projects that Class A contractors take on:

Infrastructure Development:

  • Water-Related Projects: This includes irrigation, drainage, water power, water supply, and flood control projects. Water needs to be managed carefully, which is where an engineer’s expertise comes in.
  • Transportation Networks: Construction and maintenance of inland waterways, harbors, docks, wharves, shipyards, ports, railroads, highways, streets, roads, tunnels, airports, and airways fall under this category. Anything public and aimed towards the movement of people and things.
  • Energy Projects: Dams, hydroelectric projects, powerhouses, power plants, and other utility plants and installations are part of the energy infrastructure projects​.

Environmental and Public Health Projects:

  • Waste Management: Projects related to sewers, sewage disposal plants and systems, and waste reduction plants contribute to environmental sanitation​.
  • River Control and Reclamation Works: These projects help in controlling river flow and reclaiming land for productive use​.

Industrial and Commercial Constructions

  • Industrial Plants: Construction of refineries, chemical plants, and similar industrial plants requiring specialized engineering knowledge and skill are undertaken by Class A contractors​
  • Transmission Systems: They also engage in projects related to pipelines and other systems for the transmission of petroleum and other liquid or gaseous substances.

Recreational and Other Constructions

  • Recreational Facilities: Parks, playgrounds, and other recreational works fall under the purview of Class A contractors.
  • Structural Constructions: This encompasses bridges, overpasses, underpasses, and other similar works. This is probably the most common type of Class A job.

The Most Common Types Of Class A Construction Projects 2023

Here are the most common types of projects Class A license holders are involved in this year:

  • Airport Construction and Renovation: Involves the building of runways, terminals, and control towers, requiring precision in large-scale construction and adherence to strict aviation regulations.
  • Railroad Construction: Class A contractors are responsible for laying new railroad tracks, constructing train stations, and maintaining rail system infrastructure.
  • Dam Construction and Maintenance: Building new dams for water reservoirs or hydroelectric power, as well as maintaining and upgrading existing dams. You’re seeing fewer of these projects, however, as the environmental impact of dams is becoming more clear as climate change wreaks havoc on our world.
  • Tunneling and Underground Construction: Constructing tunnels for transportation, utilities, or water systems, often involving complex geological and environmental considerations. One of the most common Class A projects.
  • Port and Harbor Development: Constructing docks, piers, and related maritime facilities, requiring knowledge of marine engineering and environmental impacts. These are huge undertakings that require teams of Class A contractors to get done.
  • Large-scale Solar or Wind Farm Installation: Planning and installation of renewable energy farms, including the setup of solar panels or wind turbines and connecting them to the power grid. Very popular at this moment in time.
  • Industrial Plant Construction: Building facilities such as refineries, chemical plants, or manufacturing units, which require adherence to strict industry-specific standards, usually aimed toward public safety.

Can A Class A Contractor Do Construction Work?

Class A contractors are allowed to self-perform work falling within their license classification, which includes an extensive range of construction activities. Here’s a breakdown of construction tasks and how they relate to Class A work.

  • Direct Execution by Class A Contractors:
    • Class A contractors can personally execute tasks that are integral to their engineering projects. For example, they might directly handle aspects of concrete work, earthmoving, and structural framework construction, especially if these tasks are critical to the overall engineering project.
    • They have the license and legal authority to perform such tasks without needing to subcontract, provided they have the necessary skills and resources.
  • Subcontracting Specialized Work:
    • For tasks that require specialized trade skills not covered by their license or expertise, Class A contractors often subcontract these to Class C (specialty) contractors. This includes work like detailed electrical installations, specialized plumbing, or intricate metalwork.
    • Subcontracting is also common for tasks that are part of the project but not within the core expertise of the Class A contractor, such as specialized aspects of building construction or finishing work.
  • Project Size and Complexity:
    • In large-scale projects, which are typical for Class A contractors, direct hands-on involvement in every task is often impractical. Therefore, while they can legally perform many construction tasks, the scale and complexity of their projects usually necessitate the use of subcontractors for efficiency and expertise.
    • For smaller or less complex components of a project, a Class A contractor might choose to do the work directly, especially if it falls within their area of expertise or if it’s more cost-effective.
  • Management and Oversight:
    • A significant role of Class A contractors is the overall project management and oversight. This often includes coordinating with various subcontractors, ensuring compliance with safety and building codes, and maintaining the project schedule and budget.
    • Their primary focus is on ensuring that all aspects of the construction project, whether performed by them or by subcontractors, meet the required standards and specifications.

Do You Need An Engineering Degree To Be A Class A Contractor?

The common thread among these diverse projects is the requirement for specialized engineering knowledge and skills – an undertaking that usually requires higher education.

While you technically do not need a bachelor’s degree or equivalent 4-year degree in engineering, it is all but necessary for you to find any real work. Nobody is going to trust a multi-billion dollar public works project to someone who hasn’t got the mathematical, physical, and engineering skills to safely and properly do engineering work.

That’s why most colleges and universities in the U.S. offer engineering degrees. Without a strong basis in engineering knowledge, there’s no way you’re passing the CSLB exam, let alone getting hired by an engineering firm.

In short – while you technically do not need an engineering degree to get your Class A license, in practice, you absolutely need it. Where the rubber meets the road, all Class A engineers must have the knowledge and expertise a 4-year engineering degree gives you.
significance of staying updated with the latest amendments and requirements.

Conclusion

A Class A General Engineering license is a golden ticket for many construction professionals who are burned out on the day-to-day grind of on-site construction, or for young people just entering the workforce who want a consistent, steady job that pays well and doesn’t require them to be out in the elements 200 days a year.

If you want to be a part of the construction industry but want to do it from the comfort of a desk – the Class A General Engineering license is probably for you. Just get ready to head back to school!

Additional Reading

CSLB Official Website
CSLB Examination Study Guides
CSLB Examination FAQs
California Contractors Exam Study Materials

C-33 Painting and Decorating License: A Comprehensive Guide

What is the C-33 License?

The C-33 Painter and Decorating Contractors License is the license assigned to painting and decorating contractors in California who work on jobs involving materials and labor over $500.

The C-33 License is designated for painting and decorating contractors in California. It encompasses various activities such as scraping, sandblasting, and applying paints, textures, fabrics, pigments, oils, varnishes, shellacs, stains, fillers, and adhesives​.

The C-33 License is extremely commonplace in the State with over 12,450 licensed painting and decorating contractors, representing 5% of the total number of contractors. The field is highly competitive and regulated by the Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB)​.

The Contractors State License Board (CSLB)

The CSLB is the state agency in California responsible for licensing and regulating contractors in the construction industry, including the C-33 License. Everything you do related to the C-33 license

  • Application Process: The CSLB manages application forms and instructions for the C-33 license
  • Qualifications and Experience: The CSLB sets eligibility criteria, including a combination of education, work experience, and/or apprenticeship training
  • Examinations: The CSLB administers the trade-specific and law & business exams necessary for licensure
  • Background Checks: The CSLB verifies identity and criminal history for all contractors
  • Licensing and Renewal: The CSLB issues and renews all contractor licenses
  • Consumer Complaints and Investigations: The CSLB handles complaints and can take disciplinary action against contractors​​. They also work together with SWIFT to catch unlicensed contractors.

Any painting contractor planning to bid on residential or commercial projects in California where the labor and material costs exceed $500 must have this license​​.

What Does A C-33 Painting and Decorating Contractor Do?

Luckily for us, this classification is easy to understand and very straightforward: if you’re painting or decorating a home with materials and labor costing $500, you’re doing C-33 work.

Key Duties

  • Surface Preparation: Cleaning, sanding, and filling surfaces to get them in shape for painting.
  • Material Selection: More of a consulting job – advising clients on paint types, colors, and finishes.
  • Painting and Coating: In addition to painting with rollers or brushes, applying sheens or coatings is covered by this license as well.
  • Trim: Creating trim using paint or coating falls under this umbrella.
  • Decorative Finishes: Faux finishes, textures, and murals.
  • Surface Protection: Sealants and protective finishes​​ for surfaces.

Who Needs the C-33 License?

Contractors who engage in extensive painting and decorating work on various structures and surfaces, and whose project costs surpass $500, are required to hold a C-33 license.

When Do You Need a C-33 License?

Any painting project in California exceeding $500 in labor and materials necessitates a C-33 license. This requirement applies regardless of the project’s complexity or scale. I

If you are doing any painting or decorating job over $500 in California – you need a C-33 License!

When You Don’t Need a C-33 License

For smaller projects under $500, a C-33 license is not mandatory. This is usually applicable only to people who work as handymen or maintenance workers, who have to do a lot of small painting and decorating projects in the scope of their duty.

However, this usually involves things like patching a wall or painting a new hinge – things that cost less than $100 and involve a couple hours of your time.

How to Get a C-33 License

As established, the CSLB is responsible for licensing, maintaining and renewing C-33 licenses. There are a number of prerequisites that a contractor must fulfill before the CSLB will assign a C-33 license.

Below you’ll find the requirements for the C-33 License and the Step-By-Step process to get one from the CSLB.

Requirements

  • At least 18 years of age
  • Valid driver’s license or ID
  • Social Security or ITIN number
  • Not on probation or parole
  • Four years of journey-level experience
  • A certifier to verify experience known as the Qualifying Individual
  • Documentation of experience if requested​​.

Step-by-Step Process

  • Gain Work Experience: A minimum of four years of experience as a journeyman is required to acquire ANY CSLB license.
  • Get Endorsements: Credible witnesses must testify to the applicant’s background and skills. Usually this is your boss.
  • Submit A CSLB C-33 License Application: Complete and submit the application with necessary documentation.
  • Pay Fees: Pay all the fees associated with your license.
  • Background Check: Submit fingerprints for a background check.
  • Take the CSLB Exam: This two-part exam has two parts: a painting-specfic exam and a law and business exam.
  • Get Bonded And Insured: Obtain a California contractor bond worth $25,000 and Workers’ Compensation insurance for every contractor under the license.
  • Receive Your License And Get To Work!: If you’ve followed all of these steps correctly, expect your license in a few weeks at most.

Application and Exam

Processing Time

The application process typically takes 6-8 weeks. Exam dates are usually given with 3-4 weeks’ notice​​.

Once you’ve passed the exam and you’ve provided all of the necessary paperwork, you will receive your license quickly – possibly within a few days, if the backlog of applications isn’t too big.

The CSLB Exam

The CSLB Exam is notorious for breaking even the smartest, most experienced contractors. This 230 question exam can take up to 6 hours and involves two sections: one on the finer points of painting and decorating, and one section on the business and law of contracting.

Exam Breakdown

  • The C-33 Contractor Exam: 115 questions related to general contractor knowledge as well as specific information about painting and decorating.
  • Law & Business Exam: 115 questions related to the business and law of contracting in the State of California.

C-33 Painting and Decorating Contractors Exam Content

Here’s what you can expect when taking the C-33 license contractors license exam.

  • Planning and Estimating (28%)
  • Substrate Repair and Surface Preparation (30%)
  • Application of Paint, Wallcoverings, and Finishes (21%)
  • Safety (21%)​​

C-33 License Maintenance and Renewal

Renewal Process

The C-33 license must be renewed every two years.
Renewal applications must accurately reflect any changes in business information​​. If you change address, add anyone to your license, or have any changes at all to your C-33 license, make sure you let the CSLB know.

Exam and Re-Examination

Exam results are provided immediately after the test, so you’ll know if you passed or not on the day of the exam.
Unsuccessful candidates receive a performance breakdown for improvement​​. If you fail, you’ll know the specific areas that you need to improve upon to pass the exam.
If you fail the exam, you can retake the exam as many times as you like. Note that the CSLB charges an examination retaking fee every time you need to retake the exam.

Fees and Costs

There’s a litany of costs associated with getting your C-33 License. At the very least, expect to spend $700 on your license, with fees increasing or decreasing based on your business structure, exam results, and so on.

  • Initial application fee: $500.
  • License fee (sole owner): $200; (non-sole owner): $350.
  • Re-examination fee: $100.
  • Fingerprinting fees: DOJ – $32, FBI – $17​​.

Conclusion

If you’re doing painting work in California, you need a C-33 license. Sure, you can get by doing small jobs here and there, but painters really make their money on the big jobs involving multiple rooms or multiple facilities – and in those situations you absolutely need to be licensed.

Getting your C-33 License is not hard at all if you’re prepared and know what you’re doing. The hardest part for any contractor is passing the notoriously difficult CSLB exam, so if you study hard and study often, you’re giving yourself a huge advantage in becoming a licensed C-33 contractor.