What Jobs Can You Bid with a C-31 License in California?
The C-31 license is for individuals or companies that specialize in traffic control services.
There are a variety of jobs you can bid if you have this license, including:
- Full traffic control service
- Equipment installation
- Obtaining street use permits
- Equipment Delivery
- Traffic Control Services
- Barricade services
- Safety consultations
- ADA sign sales
- Full traffic control plans
- 24 Hour emergency response
- Setting up Truck mounted strobe lights
- Rumble strips and Truncated domes
- Traffic control equipment repair
- Hard road barricades and barrier tape
- Channelization devices, traffic cones, and delineators
- Installing flashing arrow signs, changeable message signs
- Rental and sales of apparel, road marking products and equipment
- Setting up Traffic Control perimeters
- Flagging Personal
- Crash Cushions and Arrow boards
- Freeway lane and offramp closures
- Posting no parking signs
- Rental of Traffic Control Signs & Equipment
- Planned Closure or Event
- Supplying and Installing Temporary Signs
- Notifying Proper Agencies for Enforcement
- Identifying types of equipment required
- Maintenance Scheduling
- Road Closures & Detours
- Custom Signs
- Detour Routes
- Lane Closures for residential, rural, and urban highways
C-31 Traffic Control Contractors and the CSLB
The C-31 license is one of 74 classifications available in California. Contractors in the state of California are governed by the CSLB(Contractors State License Board)
There are 4 major classification categories:
Expanding your traffic control service in California
Contractors in California can hold multiple classifications.
The most common pairings for the C-31 license are:

C-31 License Requirements
To become a licensed contractor you must meet the following basic requirements:
- 18 Years of Age
- 4 Years of Journeyman Level Experience
- Social Security or ITIN #
- Not Currently on Probation or Parole
- Signature from a licensed contractor, fellow employee, supervisor, or business associate
What traffic control concepts do I need to know for the exam?
You will definitely want to be prepared for any curveballs that could come up on the C-31 contractor license exam.
You may be presented with questions related to project planning and obtaining street use permits may not be familiar to you.
Take the time to review every possible question.
Below is a breakdown of what you need to know:
1. Planning and Estimation (16%)
- Designing traffic control plans
- Reading and evaluating plans to determine the scope of work
- Evaluating compliance with California MUTCD and other regulations
- Estimating material, equipment, and labor costs
2. Permits and Notifications (4%)
- Verifying permits for traffic control projects
- Notifying the public and the appropriate agencies regarding traffic control
3. Traffic Control Installation (56%)
- Developing installation plans with contingencies
- Installing traffic control devices
- Procedures for flagging
- Inspecting and maintaining traffic control zones
- Removing traffic control devices
- Implementing lane closures
4. Safety (24%)
- Personal protective equipment
- Evaluating traffic control equipment
- Loading and securing equipment for transport
- Implementing safe environments and emergency procedures
What's the C-31 contractors exam process like?
The exam will be:
- 115 Questions Law & Business
- 115 Questions Construction Zone Traffic Control
- Multiple Choice
- Closed Book
- 3 Hours to Complete each section
- Taken at a proctored exam center
- Exam centers located all over the state of California
Math SkillsÂ
There will be math on your CSLB law & business and trade exam.
On the law side, questions will be presented to you as if you are a General Building Contractor with multiple projects running simultaneously with several employees.
You can expect math questions related to:
- Arithmetic
- Cost Estimation
- Percentages and Decimals
The math you can expect on the C-31 license exam may vary. Be prepared for questions that may include:
- Basic Geometry
- Units of measurement
Blueprint Reading Skills
Blueprint reading is a fundamental skill for all contractors.
Knowing how to interpret plans and is a key part of the job if you are working within a construction crew.
Some aspects of plan reading may also be your examination.
For a deeper look at blueprint reading concepts, check out this free blueprint reading guide.
CSLB law & business exam
Our complete course is a guide for aspiring California traffic control contractors.
A step by step break down all of the essential knowledge you need to be successful on your CSLB law & business examination.
In addition to passing your exam, those looking to get the C-31 contractor license will be equipped with a crash course on how to run a profitable business.
You will learn:
- Company organization
- How to bid effectively
- Understanding cost control
- Various contract types
- Cash management
- Estimation fundamentals
- CAL/OSHA
- Business Structures
- Worker’s Compensation and Taxes
- Insurance Types in Construction
- Labor Laws and Employee Rights
- Hiring and Firing Practices
- Contractor Bonds
- Mechanics Liens
- State Laws and Statutes
- Project Management 101
- Prevailing Wages and Public Works
- And Much More!