What Can You Do With a C-6 License?
The C-6 contractor's license is a California contractor classification for individuals or companies that specialize in cabinet making, millwork, and finish carpentry.
There are a variety of services that can be offered if you have this license, including:
- Cabinet design and installation
- Custom Woodworks
- Doors & Trim
- Moldings
- Cutting, Surfacing, Joining, Gluing, and Fabricating Wood
- Assembly & Installation
- Stairs, Woodcarving, Deck Repair, and Porches
- Trim Works
- Custom Door Styles and Selections
- Architectural Millwork
- Laboratory Furnishings
- Beams, Columns and Pergolas
- Designing Fixtures and Bar Cabinetry
- Maintaining a woodworking shop
- Custom Kitchen Cabinetry and Garage Storage
- Entertainment Center Cabinetry
- Structural rot removal and repair
- Truss construction and installation
Carpentry Contractors and the CSLB
The C-6 contractor's license is one of 73 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:
Commonly referred to as the “C-6 License or cabinet license”, this classification falls under the C-Specialty category.
Expanding your finish carpentry business in California
Contractors in California can hold multiple licenses. The most common pairings for the C-6 license are typically:
Requirements for Finish Carpenters
To get a C-6 license 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 cabinet making, millwork, and finish carpentry concepts do I need to know for the test?
Contractor licenses exist is to protect the consumer public.
Ultimately the CSLB's goal is to make sure that you understand how to perform your trade safely and run a profitable business.
Luckily, you can be brought up to speed on the key topics of the test, so you can pass on your first try…
The examination will be 5 parts.
1. Planning and Estimating (20%)
- Planning cabinetry and millwork projects
- Estimating cabinetry and millwork projects
2. Cabinetry and Millwork Fabrication (20%)
- Milling cabinetry and millwork
- Assembling cabinetry and millwork
- Storing cabinetry and millwork
- Transporting cabinetry and millwork
3. Cabinet Installation (24%)
- Demolishing old cabinets
- Identifying possible hazardous materials
- Job site preparation
- Installing cabinets
- Finishing cabinets
4. Millwork Installation (18%)
- Installing millwork
- Installing stairs and mantels
- Refacing cabinets and millwork
- Installing windows and doors
5. Safety (18%)
- Personnel safety
- Job site safety
- Recycling and disposing of materials
What's the C-6 exam process like?
The exam will be:
- 115 Questions Law & Business
- 115 Questions Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry
- Multiple Choice
- Closed Book
- 3 Hours to Complete each section
- Taken via Computer at a Testing Facility
- Exam Centers all over the state of California
Math SkillsÂ
There will be math on your CSLB law & business and trade exams.
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
- Calculating Square Footage
- Units of Measurement
- Percentages and Decimals
When it comes to the carpentry side of the exam, it is possible that you may receive questions related to:
- Calculating the area of a circle or trapezoid
- Circumference
- Calculating Volume
Blueprint Reading Skills
Blueprint reading is a fundamental skill for carpentry and general building contractors. Knowing how to interpret plans and is a key part of the job. Some aspects of plan reading will also be on your examination.
For a deeper look at blueprint reading concepts, you will need to check out this free blueprint reading guide.
Preparing for Your CSLB law & business exam
Our complete C-6 contractor's license course breaks 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 cabinet makers 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!