What is A C6 License?
The C-6 License is the classification required in the state of California for all contractors looking to bid on residential and commercial finish carpentry projects where the cost of labor and materials exceeds $500.
Projects may include:
- Chairs
- Couches
- Staircases
- Doors and Tables
- Shelvings
- Stairs, Baseboards and Hang Windows
A cabinet, millwork, and finish carpentry contractor makes cabinets, cases, sashes, doors, trims, nonbearing partitions, and other items of “finish carpentry” by cutting, surfacing, joining, gluing and fabricating wood or other products to provide a functional surface.
This contractor also places, erects, and finishes such cabinets and millwork in structures. – CSLB.GOV
Functional cabinetry, tables, and chairs are found in virtually every residential home.
Finish Carpenters are often paid top dollar to produce customized pieces as well as common household wood products.
Duties Associated with the C-6 License
Finish carpentry contractors engage in a wide range of projects. Some of their daily job site duties can include:
- Using Glue and Mastics
- Ordering Materials
- Reading Blueprints
- Inspection
- Paint and Stain Finish Work
- Building Shelves and Staircases
- Cabinets, Baseboards and Jams
- Trim Work
- Counters, Cupboards, Molding, and Sashes
- Ensuring Personal and Job Site Safety
What can you do with a C-6 license?
Finish Carpentry Subcontractor
A finish carpentry contractor holding the C-6 License may work directly with a client or homeowner to complete a very specific project.
However, they can also work with a General Contractor as part of a larger construction or remodel job.
General Contractors may sub out the finish carpentry and millwork to a C-6 licensed contractor who has their own shop.
The prime contractor ensures that the finish carpentry process is not only executed up to code but oftentimes to the specific request of the client.
Check out this article for a deeper look at the General Contractor License!
How To Get A C-6 License In California
To Get A C-6 License In California 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 #
- check Not Currently Be on Probation or Parole
You must also have:
- 4 Years of Journeyman Level Experience
- Signature from a Certifier
- A Way to Prove Your Experience If The State Board Asks
Journeyman Level Experience
Journeyman-level experience means that you have worked unsupervised full-time for a construction company, a contractor that holds the C-6 License, or Union.
- A journeyman finish carpenter can perform all of the duties associated with cabinet making, millwork and finish carpentry.
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 from a Certifier
The following people may be used as certifiers to sign off on your experience:
- Licensed General Contractor
- C-6 License Holder
- Fellow Employee (within the last 10 years)
- Current or former Supervisor (within the last 10 years)
- Business Associate
- Fellow Journeyman
- Union Representative
Proving Your Work Experience for C-6 License
You must be prepared to submit documentation supporting the experience you claim to have. The Contractors State License Board gives you many ways to prove your experience including:
- 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.
How to fill out the C-6 License Application
The person you choose to be your qualifying individual will need to write a detailed description of your knowledge and skillset.
The CSLB is strict on how this description has to be written.
For example:
“Ricardo has done finish carpentry for many years” will not be accepted
The CSLB will want to see:
“Ricardo has installed, erected and finished cabinets, cupboards, counters, stairs, baseboards trim, paint & stained, used glues and mastics” etc.
C-6 Online Practice Exams and Study Guides
Application Processing, Time Frame, 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.
See the CSLB's verbiage on background checks 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.
To learn more about the CSLB's criminal background checks
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
Application Costs for the C-6 License
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-6 License.
Thousands of contractors get licensed and bonded each year despite their criminal records.
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 are primarily concerned with criminal charges associated with:
- Fraud
- Embezzlement
- Forgery
In the state of California, you are required to divulge any criminal charges when applying for any state license even if they have been expunged.
You will need to be prepared to submit anything they ask for regarding your criminal history.
Contractor License Exam: C-6 license
Contractor licenses are broken down into four categories:
1) A-General Engineering (LAW + TRADE )
2) B-General Building (LAW + TRADE)
3) C-Specialty Classes (LAW + TRADE)
4) C-61/D- Limited Specialty (LAW TEST ONLY)
- 115 Questions of Contractor LAW
- 115 Questions about Cabinet Making, Millwork, and Finish Carpentry
- 3 Hours To Complete Each Portion
- check Closed Book Exam
Recommended Courses
- C-6 Online Practice Exams and Study Guides
- Introduction to Blueprint Reading Course
- Trade Skills Fundamentals
Trade exam
The Cabinet, Millwork, and Finish Carpentry (C-6 License) Examination is divided into four sections:
1. Planning and Estimation (20%)
- Planning cabinetry and millwork projects
- Estimating cabinetry and millwork projects
2. Cabinetry and Millwork Fabrication (24%)
- Milling cabinetry and millwork
- Assembling cabinetry and millwork
- Storing cabinetry and millwork
- Transporting cabinetry and millwork
3. Cabinet Installation (25%)
- Demolishing old cabinets
- Identifying possible hazardous materials
- Job site preparation
- Installing cabinets
- Finishing cabinets
4. Millwork Installation (16%)
- Installing millwork
- Installing stairs and mantels
- Refacing cabinets and millwork
- Installing windows and doors
5. Safety (15%)
- Personnel safety
- Job site safety
- Recycling and disposing of materials
CSLB Test Locations
The CSLB has exam locations all over the state of California. When you are approved for your exam date they will give you a list of proctored facilities you can choose from based on your zip code.
- You have 18 months after your application is accepted to pass both examinations
- You must wait 3 weeks to re-take the exam. ($100Per Re-take)
- There is no explicit percentage to pass, however, you will want to shoot for above 80% to be safe.
What is on the Law & Business portion of the Finish Carpentry Contractor License exam?
C-6 Contractors License Practice Tests and Study Guides
- 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.
- Carpentry Trade Skills Courses
Contractor License Practice Exams
Thousands of tradesmen apply each year to take the contractor license exam.
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 minutes 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-6 License exam.
Finish Carpentry Apprenticeship
If you don’t have the four years required journeyman level experience to obtain the C-6 License, not to worry.
Your journey begins here!
Construction is a trillion-dollar industry and highly skilled tradesmen are always in demand.
Whether you are completely new or have some home carpentry experience already, there are resources available to you.
Generally, someone looking to become a carpenter would want to look into an apprenticeship program or work under a master woodworker.
Blueprint Reading Course
Being able to identify symbols, drawings, and specs on construction blueprints is a vital skill for finish carpentry contractors.
Having the ability to interpret the ideas that an architect is trying to communicate through blueprints is very valuable.
Blueprint Reading Skills are also critical to pass the C-6 license 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 finish carpentry contractors are ones that position themselves as the experts and are the most knowledgable 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.
Handyman License in California?
The term Handyman may refer to a non-licensed individual who offers household repair services including:
- Fixing a broken toilet
- Leaky Faucets
- Replacing Doors
- Mowing Lawns
- Yard work
- Replacing Windows
as well as potentially hundreds of other tasks. To learn more about handyman laws in California, click here!
Conclusion
Getting the C-6 Finish Carpentry License can be a huge step up in your career if you are looking to open your own shop, take on larger clients or become an RMO!
For a detailed explanation of this process, check out my article: Apprentice vs Journeyman! 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!