How Long Is Contractor School in California?

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in the construction industry, you may be wondering how long it takes to complete a contractor school program in California. You’ve come to the right place!

In this article, we’ll explore the different types of contractor schools, the length of their programs, and other factors that may affect the length of the program.

Different Types of Contractor Schools

There are three main types of schools that offer contractor training programs: trade schools, community colleges, and contractor licensing schools. Each of these schools offers different advantages and disadvantages depending on your personal goals and needs.

Trade schools are generally focused on hands-on training and offer shorter programs that can be completed in less than a year. Trade schools are typically aimed at developing the hard skills of construction, and usually involve specialized training in CSLB Class C classifications like welding, roofing, or plumbing, for example.

Community colleges offer both hands-on and classroom training and have longer programs that can take up to two years to complete. These programs are often a blend of both classroom and hands-on experience, and tend to be more in depth. Community college programs are great for learning the hard science behind construction, and can yield long-term rewards with the knowledge they can arm you with.

Contractors licensing schools offer more specialized training aimed at helping people with some construction experience become licensed contractors in California. These programs are short and accessible, usually taking only 1-3 months to complete, so you can get your license as quickly as possible and get to work.

Length of Contractor School Programs

The length of the program varies depending on the type of school and the program you choose. 

Trade schools generally offer programs that can be completed in 6 months to 1 year, depending on your area of expertise or focus

Community colleges offer programs that can take up to two years to complete. This also depends on what area of construction you want to focus on.

Contractors licensing schools usually take only a few months to complete, depending on the program.

Factors That Affect the Length of the Program

Several factors can affect the length of the program, including the type of program, course load, full-time vs part-time enrollment, and online vs in-person courses. 

Some programs may require more courses or have more rigorous course loads, which can affect how long it takes to complete the program. If you’re studying mathematics-focused fields like engineering, or dealing with hazardous materials like asbestos, classes could take longer than, say, a general contractor license course.

Enrolling full-time can also help you complete the program more quickly than enrolling part-time. 

Taking online courses can offer more flexibility but may take longer to complete than full-time courses. Contractors license schools often offer both for students who have unique needs.

Finally, whether or not you speak English can have a big impact on how long your class could take. Many schools only offer classes in English, or allow you to use a translator. However, schools like CSLS offer Spanish-language courses, opening the field to Spanish speakers to complete contractors license schools and pass the CSLB exam.

In reality, you should figure out what type of program works for your area of interest, and what type of commitment you want to make to your school. The important thing is there’s many different ways to get involved in your education, whether you want to get it done quickly or you want to slowly balance your life with your education needs.

How to Choose the Right Program

When choosing a contractor school program, it’s important to consider your personal goals, budget, and the quality of the school to make the right choice.

Your goals. Consider what you want to achieve after completing the program and make sure the school offers the courses and training you need to meet those goals. If you want to be a plumber, make sure the school has a robust program related to plumbing, for example. It may seem obvious, but not all construction knowledge and education is equal. 

Don’t get fooled by the school. It’s also extremely important to make sure you’re getting an education from a trustworthy school. There’s a number of schools out there that offer incomplete or insufficient information, or are just flat out scams that will take your money and run. 

Always, always, always make sure the school is backed by legitimate experience in the area of expertise that you are seeking education in. 

The most trustworthy organizations will have at least 10+ years of experience providing exams and usually are backed by reviews and testimonials from those who have been through the program and successfully gotten their licenses.

How to Accelerate the Process

There are several ways to accelerate the process of completing a contractor school program. Some schools offer credit for prior experience, which can allow you to skip certain courses or requirements. 

Additionally, some schools offer advanced placement, which allows you to start at a higher level in the program if you have prior experience. Some schools also offer summer programs that allow you to complete the program more quickly, rather than waiting for the traditional spring-fall semesters.

Typically, the longer the course is, the more educational requirements you may be exempt from. Community college courses may even allow you to skip certain requirements. Find out more about the education requirements here: https://www.cslb.ca.gov/contractors/applicants/contractors_license/exam_application/experience_for_exam.aspx

In conclusion, the length of your contractor school program in California can vary depending on a variety of factors, including program type, schedule, required courses, exam preparation, and work experience. Be careful when deciding which school is right for you. Untrustworthy or incompetent schools can take away precious time, energy and money as you seek your CSLB contractor license. 

Take your time when picking your school – find a school that fits your schedule, meets your educational needs and has a reputation for successfully training CSLB-certified contractors. If you spend the time now identifying the right school for you, you can save yourself a ton of money and energy down the road.

 

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About CSLS

Contractors State License Service (CSLS) is the largest school in California devoted to the Construction professional. For over 23 years, CSLS has helped its students pass the exam to become licensed contractors in the State of California, licensing more students than any other school. From our main offices in Southern California, CSLS operates over 25 locations with full-service support and classrooms. We have grown to this extent by providing quality, professional services. In comparison, this provides 7 times the number of convenient locations than the second largest contractor school. Contractors State License Services is one of the only contractor schools in the state that is run by educators, not lawyers or people mostly interested in the bonding and insurance business. Contractors State License Services formerly operated under the oversight of the State of California's Bureau for Private Post Secondary and Vocational Education. As of January 1 2010, the new Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) came into existence replacing the BPPVE. CSLS now operates under the provisions of the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 (CPPEA), Article 4 Section 94874(f). Our Mission is simple; We can help you pass your California Contractors License Exam. Celebrating our 25th year, CSLS has helped over 120,000 students pass the California contractor licensing exam to become licensed contractors in the State of California. Additionally, we offer complete home study and online contractor’s license programs to help you pass your California contractors license exam. CSLS offers licensing classes for all types of contractor licenses, including General Engineering Contractor, General Building Contractor, Specialty Contractor, Insulation and Acoustical Contractor, Framing and Rough Carpentry Contractor, Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry Contractor, Concrete Contractor, Drywall Contractor, Electrical Contractor, Elevator Contractor, Landscaping Contractor, Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor, and many others. For a complete list of contractor licenses, visit www.MakeMeAContractor.com and tuned for more informative posts.