Getting the C-15 License for flooring offers the opportunity for incredible income potential within the construction industry.
The installation of wood floors, carpets, and laminates are critical services and almost always required within virtually all construction projects.
Commercial flooring jobs can be incredibly lucrative especially if you offer a one-stop service for clients to choose materials, have their previous floor removed and a new one installed.
This article will provide you with every single detail you need to know about how to get your C15 license, requirements, the flooring license test, and even how to fill out the application.
What is a C-15 Flooring Contractor?
The C-15 License is the classification required in the state of California for all persons looking to bid on residential, commercial, or industrial flooring projects where the cost of labor and materials exceeds $500.
Online Practice Exams and Study Guides
Duties of a Licensed Flooring Contractor
Flooring Contractors duties and skill sets generally include a wide variety of flooring services such as:
- Evaluating and Preparing surfaces
- check Performing Calculations
- Selecting materials and carpeting
- Testing subfloors for moisture and preparing for subfloor installation
- Demolition, Selection and Installation of flooring
- Cutting and laying out wood, laminate, vinyl, linoleum, and ruber
- Staining, Sanding, and Tack Stripping
- Establishing and maintaining relationships with vendors and suppliers
- Preparing bids, estimating, and accounting
- Maintaining a safe job site
To obtain the C-15 license, you will be tested on all aspects of flooring so it will be essential to your success to become familiar with all the areas of expertise that fall under the flooring license.
Jobs you can do with a C-15 License!
C-15 license and the General Contractor
A flooring contractor that holds the C-15 license can work in a variety of settings. They could work directly with a homeowner or client.
They may also be subcontracted by a General Contractor who has placed a bid on a project that includes flooring. The flooring construction portion would be overseen by the General Contractor.
Check out this article for an in-depth look at the General Contractor License
What is the CSLB?
The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is the governing body for all contractors in the state of California.
Their sole responsibility is to protect the consumer public and ensure that anyone charging over $500 for construction services is qualified and registered with the state of California.
The C-15 License is issued to flooring contractors by the CSLB.
The CSLB administers applications, and exams, and maintains a database of all active and inactive contractor license numbers which are public domain.
How to get the C-15 License
To get a C-15 license in California, you must prove a minimum of 4 years of journeyman-level experience and pass a two-part state exam with the Contractor State License Board.
To get an exam date you must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a valid Driver's License or USA Issued Identification
- Have a Social Security or ITIN #
- Not Currently be on probation or parole
You must also have:
- 4 Years Journey Level Experience
- A certifier to sign off on your experience
- A way to prove your experience if the state asks for documentation
What is Journey Level Experience?
Journeyman-level experience means that you have worked unsupervised full-time for a flooring company, or for a contractor that holds the C-15 License.
- A journeyman can perform all of the duties associated with his or her trade.
The CSLB will want to see four full-time years over the last ten years. The years do not need to be consecutive, but they do need to be four years in total.
Signature of a Certifier
The following people may be used as certifiers to sign off on your experience when applying for the C-15 license:
- Licensed General Contractor
- C-15 License Holder
- Fellow Employee (within the last 10 years)
- Former Supervisor (within the last 10 years)
- Business Associate
- Fellow Journeyman
- Union Representative
Filling out the C-15 License Application
Your Qualifying Individual will also need to provide a brief but detailed description of your knowledge and skill set.
The way this description is written will be critical to whether or not your application is accepted. For example:
“Ed is a great guy and has a lot of experience installing carpets…” will not be accepted by the CSLB.
The CSLB will want to see something more like:
“Greg has installed, finished, and repaired vinyl, wood, linoleum, and resilient tile floors”, etc.
Proving your work experience for the C-15 License
You must be prepared to submit documentation supporting the experience you claim to have. The Contractors State License Board gives you a few ways that you can prove your experience.
- Tax Returns
- Check Stubs
- Contracts
- Material Order Invoices or Receipts
The CSLB receives thousands of applications per month so there is a good chance they won’t document your experience but if you are one of the applicants that get reviewed you will need to be ready to submit something.
The CSLB does not accept pictures of projects.
C-15 License Application, Fees, and Criminal History
The time it takes to get your application processed and assigned a test date fluctuates throughout the year.
Typically you can expect:
- 6-8 Week Application Processing Time
- 3-4 Week wait for an Exam date
I have seen some situations where applicants got their test date sooner and somewhere they got their test date much later.
The most common reasons your application would get held up are:
- Time of year (processing time slows down during the holidays)
- Criminal History
- Proving Experience
- Mistakes on your application
C-15 License Application Costs
The Current CSLB fees are:
- State Application Fee
- License Activation Fee
- Fingerprinting
- Bond Fee (What is a Construction Bond?)
Can you get a Contractor's License with a Felony in California?
Having a criminal record in no way stops you from getting a C-15 License. I have personally helped guys with all types of criminal records obtain multiple licenses.
The key is, to be honest on the application, even if the felony or misdemeanor happened years ago and even if it was expunged.
See the CSLB's verbiage below:
Just because you have been convicted of a crime does not automatically mean
your application will be denied. CSLB's Criminal Background Unit (CBU) reviews
all criminal convictions to determine if the crime is substantially related to
the duties, qualifications, and/or functions of a contractor. Since no two
conviction records are the same, they are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The
criteria used by CSLB include whether the crime shows the present or potential
unfitness of an applicant or licensee to perform the functions authorized by
the license in a manner consistent with the public health, safety, or welfare.
In addition, CSLB reviews and considers any evidence of rehabilitation
submitted by the applicant or licensee. Please see the above link to the
California Code of Regulations sections 868 and 869 for more specific
information on the criteria for determining substantial relationship and
rehabilitation.
Learn more about the Background Check Process here:
BE 100% HONEST ON THE APPLICATION, because they will see everything anyway when you do fingerprinting. The CSLB handles criminal records on a case-by-case basis.
Remember, their responsibility is to protect the public. In my experience, they are primarily concerned with criminal charges associated with:
Fraud, Forgery, and Embezzlement.
C-15 Contractors License Test
Contractor licenses are broken down into 4 categories:
1) A-General Engineering
3) C-Specialty classes
4) D-Limited Specialty classes
Each category of license apart from the D-Limited Specialty license class requires that you pass a TRADE exam in addition to the California LAW examination which is the same for all licenses.
The exam will consist of:
- 115 Questions on Contractor LAW
- 115 Questions on Flooring
- 3 hours to complete each portion
- check Multiple choice exam done on a computer
- check Closed Book
Recommended Courses
- C-15 Online Practice Exams and Study Guides
- Introduction to Blueprint Reading Course
- OSHA Safety Certification Bundle
The Flooring and Floor Covering (C-15 license) Examination is divided into seven key sections:
1. Planning and Estimation (20%)
- Evaluating plans and specifications
- Evaluating material characteristics
- Performing job-related calculations
- Evaluating job site readiness
2. Subfloor Evaluation and Preparation (24%)
- Removing existing flooring
- Evaluating and preparing the subfloor for installation
- Testing subfloor for moisture
- Installing underlayments
- Material acclimation
3. Carpet Installation (10%)
- Installing tack strip, cushions, and trim
- Cutting and laying out carpet
- Seaming and sealing carpet
- Installing carpet
- Installing and replacing moldings, etc.
4. Resilient Goods and Rubber Flooring Installation (13%)
- Cutting and/or laying out sheet goods for installation
- Using adhesives
- Preparing subfloor for installation
- Rolling and sealing sheet goods
- Installing laminate, trim, and transitions
5. Laminate Flooring Installation (8%)
- Cutting and laying out laminates
- Installing laminate, trim, and transitions
6. Wood Flooring Installation (11%)
- Performing moisture tests
- Cutting and laying out wood
- Installing wood flooring and trim
- Filling and sanding wood
- Finishing wood
7. Safety (14%)
- Applying personal safety procedures
- Applying job safety procedures
- Operating tools and equipment safely
- Safe handling and disposal of products
CSLB Test Locations
The CSLB has exam centers all over the state of California. Once your application is approved you will be given a list of locations you can go and take the exam based on your zip code.
These are proctored facilities with cubicles where you take the exam on a computer. The computer will have a calculator for your use. You will not be able to bring in a phone, notes, or personal calculator to the exam center.
California Contractor License Exam Prep
Some things to remember:
- The questions you will see on the exam may use outdated terms
- Processes may be completely different from how things are done on the job site
- You will see questions about things you may have never done before
- Questions will be presented to you as if you are running a large-scale construction business with several employees and jobs happening all at once.
- Know all aspects of your trade
C-15 Study guides and Practice tests
Be as prepared as you possibly can.
Studying just 10 minutes a day consistently can dramatically increase your chances of passing the test on your first try.
Learn more about the Flooring License Test
Flooring Apprenticeships
If you don’t have the 4 years required journeyman-level experience to obtain a C-15 License you have come to the right place.
Choosing a career in the construction industry can be incredibly rewarding financially.
The construction industry is a trillion-dollar industry, and highly skilled tradesmen are always in demand.
Whether you are brand new to the industry, have dabbled over the years, or are coming back and want to brush up your skills, there is a myriad of resources available to help you learn the basics or get up to speed.
Generally, someone looking to become a Glass Contractor would want to look into an apprenticeship or certification program.
For a detailed explanation of this process, check out my article: Apprentice vs Journeyman.
Blueprint Reading Course
Reading construction blueprints is a critical skill for flooring contractors. The ability to quickly interpret designs and make cost calculations will greatly assist you going forward.
Blueprint Reading Skills are also critical to pass the General Contractor exam.
Check out this Blue Print Reading Course for a basic introduction to the concepts you will want to know about.
EPA Certification
Understanding how to safely contain lead-based paint when altering structures built before 1978 is required by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The most profitable flooring contractors are the ones that position themselves as the experts and are the most knowledgeable and helpful to their clients.
Becoming EPA Certified can help you expand your business and can be completed in a one-day 8-hour course.
Staying EPA compliant is not only important to the survival of your business but also to the safety of your customers.
For a complete guide on how to get the EPA Certification, check out this article.
Conclusion
Contractors that hold the C-15 License who are highly skilled, professional, and offer excellent customer service can quickly build a business offering a valuable skill set to millions of homeowners and businesses.
Getting the C-15 License can be a huge step up in your career if you are looking to open your company, become an RMO or take on larger clients!
The key is to take action and follow these steps from beginning to end.
If you have found this article helpful feel free to drop a comment below and be sure to check back for updates!