What Is an Ornamental Metals Contractor?

"An ornamental metals contractor assembles, casts, cuts, shapes, stamps, forges, welds, fabricates and installs, sheet, rolled and cast, brass, bronze, copper, cast iron, wrought iron, monel metal, stainless steel, steel, and/or any other metal for the architectural treatment and ornamental decoration of structures. This classification does not include the work of a sheet metal contractor" -CSLB.GOV

• The C-23 License is the classification is a requirement for anyone looking to bid on metal works projects where the cost of labor and materials exceeds $500. 
• A Metal Contractor that holds the C-23 license is legally is not allowed to bid on a project that falls outside of the spectrum of fabrication or repair of ornamental metals.

Online Practice Exams and Study Guides

Typical Duties of an Metal Contractor

Metal workers can vary based on their particular area of expertise but generally, their duties:

The C-23 license does not include steel fabrication or sheet metal.

To get the C-23 License you will be tested on all aspects of metal work, so you will want to make sure you are familiar with all aspects of your trade.

C-23 License and the General Contractor

Metalworks Contractors that hold the C-23 license can work in a variety of settings. They could be hired by a homeowner to execute a customized piece.

They may also be subcontracted by a General Contractor who has placed a bid on a project that includes some kind of elaborate metal job.

The General Contractor would oversee the subcontractors and make sure their jobs are being executed to code.

Check out this article for an in-depth look at the General Contractor License

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-23 License is issued to metalworks contractors by the CSLB.

The CSLB administers applications, exams, and maintains a database of all active and inactive contractor license numbers which are public domain. 

How to get the C-23 License

To get a C-23 license in California, you must meet the following requirements:

You must also have:

What is Journey Level Experience?

Journeyman level experience means that you have worked unsupervised full time for a metal works company, or for a contractor that holds the C-23 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 Qualifying Individual

The following people may be used as Qualifying Individuals to sign off on your experience when applying for the C-23 license:

Filling out the C-23 License Application

Your Qualifying Individual will also need to provide a brief but detailed description of your knowledge and skillset.

The way this description is written will be critical to whether or not your application is accepted. For example:

“Tim has done many handrails for us” is not descriptive enough for the CSLB

 The CSLB will want to see something like:

"Tim has built ornamental iron fences, window guards, fences, gates, fire escapes he has ordered materials, built jail cells, inspected projects, and read" etc.

Work Experience for the C-23 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.

Application Processing, 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 some where they got their test date much later.

The most common reasons your application would get held up are:

1. Time of year (processing time slows down during the holidays) 
2. Criminal History 
3. Proving Experience
4. Mistakes on your application 

Application Costs for the C-23 License

The Current CSLB fees are: 

• State Application Fee - $330 
• License Activation Fee - $200 (after you pass the exam)
• Fingerprinting
• Bond Fee (What is a Construction Bond?)

Can you get a Contractors License with a Felony in California?

Having a criminal record in no way stops you from getting a C-23 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.

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 primarily concerned with criminal charges associated with: Fraud, Embezzlement and Forgery.

Contractor License Exam

The contractor license exam will be:

Recommended Resources

What is on the C-23 Ornamental Metals Exam?

The Ornamental metal (C-23 license) Examination is divided into five major sections:

1. Planning and Estimation (25%)

• Review project information
• Design ornamental metal products
• Site evaluation
• Fabrication preparation
• Cost calculation

2. Fabrication (23%)

• Cutting
• Tooling
• Forming metal
• Assembly

3. Installation (18%)

• Posts
• Fences, railings, and gates
• Staircases
• Miscellaneous products

4. Finishes and Repairs (12%)

• Preparation and application
• Repairs

5. Safety (22%)

• Personnel and job site
• Transportation
• Environmental

CSLB Test Locations

Currently the CSLB has testing locations in the following cities:

• Berkeley
• Oxnard
• Sacramento
• San Bernardino
• San Diego
• Fresno
• Norwalk
• San Jose

You will be assigned a testing location based on the city you live in.

Learn more about Contractor License Law

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

I have helped all types of tradesman from various backgrounds and experience levels get licenses. Most are startled by how different the subject matter on the state exam is from their years of first-hand experience. 

Be as prepared as you possibly can. Studying just 10 mintues a day consistently can dramatically increase your chances of passing the test on your first try.

Focus on and study ONLY the information that you need to pass the C-23 License exam. 

Metal Fabrication Apprenticeships

If you don’t have the 4 years required journeyman level experience to obtain a C-23 license, not to worry. Your journey begins here.

Ornamental Metalwork is a highly specialized trade with an unlimited amount of opportunity. 

Generally someone looking to become a metalworks contractor would want to look into an apprenticeship  or find a skilled tradesman to learn under. 

For a detailed explanation on this process, check out my article: Apprentice vs Journeyman

Blueprint Reading Course

It is critical for the metal contractors to be able to follow specific designs and plans.

Design is a large part of the metal fabrication process and being able to comprehend a visual representation of the project is vital. 

Quickly interpreting construction blueprints and executing your duties safely is an invaluable skill for all tradesman but is especially important for metal contractors. 

Check out our Free Blueprint Reading Course!