The C-34 license is for Pipeline Contractors that provide an integral service to the functionality of cities.

Pipeline construction is critical to the delivery of water, gas, treatment of sewage, and basic utilities. 

Pipeline services generally include: 

• Pipeline Design and Fabrication
• Lowering and Placing
• Pipeline Inspection
• Excavation and Backfilling 
• Testing and Maintenance of Pipelines
• Environmental Inspection and Surveying

This article will provide you with everything you need to know about how to become a licensed pipeline contractor.

You will learn about:

C-34 License requirements, exam questions, study guides, blueprint reading and even how to fill out the C-34 License application. 

"A pipeline contractor fabricates and installs pipelines for the conveyance of fluids, such as water, gas, or petroleum, or for the containment or protection of any other material, including the application of protective coatings or systems and the trenching, boring, shoring, backfilling, compacting, paving and surfacing necessary to complete the installation of such pipelines"-CSLB.GOV

• The C-34 license is the classification required in the state of California for all persons looking to bid on pipeline projects where the cost of labor and materials exceeds $500. 
• A Pipeline Contractor is legally not allowed to bid on a project that falls outside of the spectrum of pipeline installation, repair or fabrication.

Some of the duties of pipeline contractors include:

You will be tested on all aspects of pipeline construction, maintenance, and safety.

When preparing for the C-34 license exam, make sure that you are familiar with all parts of the trade.

Pipeline contractors are typically subcontracted by a  General Engineering Contractor or developer.

The C-34 license is typically held by pipeline construction companies that generally are apart of large scale engineering projects.

A General Engineering Contractor oversees that the pipeline construction phase is executed in adherence to environmental regulation. Learn more about the General Engineering Contractor License.

The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is the governing body for all contractors in the state of California.

Their 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-34 License is issued to pipeline 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. 

To get a pipeline contractors license in California, you must meet the following requirements:

You must also have:

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:

“Robert has installed pipelines” is not descriptive enough 

 The CSLB will want to see something like:

"Robert has installed engaged in pre construction site preparation. He has installed pre-cast manholes, sewer mains, crude oil pipelines, and natural gas"

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.

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-34 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?)

Having a criminal record in no way stops you from getting a C-34 License. Many contractors get licensed in California each year despite having a criminal record. Some of whom 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 or Forgery

The exam will be:

The Pipeline (C-34 license) Examination is divided into five separate sections:

1.    Planning and Estimation (20%)

•  Planning pipeline projects
• Estimating pipeline projects

2.    Installation of New Pipelines (34%)

• Job site preparation
• Installing pipeline projects
• Test and finish pipeline projects

3.    Removal, Repair, and Maintenance of Existing Systems (8%)

• Locate and isolate repairs
• Repair or abandon pipeline systems

4.    Specialty Pipeline Projects (10%)

• Specialty projects
• Pipeline projects

5.    Safety (28%)

• Personnel safety
• Job site safety
• Underground work
• Dangerous material

Currently, there are CSLB testing locations in the following cities

• The CSLB assigns you a testing location based on where you live when you apply for your license. 
• You get 18 months after your application is accepted to pass both examinations.
• You must wait three weeks before retaking the state exam ($60 per retake)

Learn more about Contractor License LAW​

If you don’t have the 4 years required journeyman level experience to get a C-34 license, your journey begins here.

Generally, someone looking to get into this trade would begin by finding a union or apprenticeship program.

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

Blueprint Reading Course

It is critical for pipeline contractors to be able to read blueprints or at least be able to recognize lines and symbols.

Construction blueprints communicate important information about how a structure must be built as well as what materials are necessary for its construction/

Being comfortable with construction blueprints is an invaluable skill for all tradesman but is especially important for those looking to get the C-34 license. See our Free Blueprint Reading Course.

OSHA Certification

Statistically, 21% of all work-related fatalities are in construction.

That equals about 1 and 5 worker deaths on average.

In the construction industry, the leading cause of worker deaths is reported as falls, struck by an object, electrocution, and caught-in/between.

The pipeline construction industry can be very dangerous, especially if your workers are not properly trained. For employment with an engineering contractor, typically you have complete some level of OSHA training.​

Learn more about OSHA Training.

Get Started!

As populations around the world grow, maintaining infrastructure that delivers water, gas, and sewage treatment will be increasingly important

Pipeline Construction Companies that obtain the C-34 License that abide by environmental regulations can become highly in demand as they provide a service that large segments of the population depend on. 

Getting the C-34 License can be a huge step up in your career if you are looking to start your own company or become an RMO for an existing firm! 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!