The C-5 license is required for anyone looking to charge over $500 in California for services that include framing or rough carpentry.

Some of these services may include:

Framing and Rough Carpentry contractors a an essential part of the construction process.

Their duties include:

To receive an exam date with the Contractors State License Board you must meet the following basic requirements:

• Be at least 18 Years of Age
• Have a Valid Driver's license or USA Issued Identification
• Have a Social Security or ITIN #
• Not Currently be on probation or parole

You must also have:

• 4 Years Journeyman Level Experience
• Signature from a Qualifying Individual
• A way to prove your experience if the CSLB asks

The following people may be used as Qualifying Individuals to sign off on your experience:

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.

However, 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 

• State Application Fee - $330

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

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.

Red Flags for the CSLB

In my experience, they 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 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)

The C-5 Carpentry License Exam consists of two parts:

Trade portion of the exam

The C-5 license Examination is divided into four major sections:

1. Planning and Estimation (27%)

• Project planning
• Blueprints, specifications, and shop/field drawings
• Three-dimensional drawings
• Estimation
• Math related to estimation

2. Structural Framing (36%)

• Formwork
• Load and span
• Bracing
• Shear and diaphragm
• Structural hardware
• Wood and metal framing

3. General framing (21%)

• Flashing and weatherproofing
• Siding, roofing, and flooring
• Doors, windows, and stairs
• Fences, decks, porches, and gazebos
• Squaring and leveling
• Access and ventilation
• Materials, tools, and equipment

4. Safety (18%)

• Cal/OSHA requirements
• EPA and AQMD regulations
• Asbestos and environmental hazards
• Transportation and traffic control

Learn more about the LAW portion of the contractor license test!

The Contractors State License Board currently has testing locations in the following cities:

• You have 18 months after your application is accepted to pass both examinations
• You must wait 3 weeks to re-take the exam. ($60 Per Re-take)
• You must score 70% or more

What is on the Law & Business portion of the Framing and Rough Carpentry License exam?

Be as prepared as you possibly can. 

Studying just 15 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-5 License exam. 

Generally someone looking to become a carpenter would want to look into an apprenticeship program or work under a master wood worker.

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

Being able to identify symbols, drawings, and specs on construction blueprints is a vital skill for carpentry contractors.

For contractors engaging in framing or any structural work, having the ability to interpret the ideas an architect is trying to communicate are critical. 

Understanding how to safely contain lead-based paint when altering structures built before 1978 is required by the Environmental Protection Agency. 

The most profitable contractors are ones that position themselves as the experts and are the most knowledgable and helpful to their clients. 

OSHA Safety 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
• Caught-in/Between

Framing and carpentry contractors have dangerous jobs, especially if those doing the work are not properly trained. 

Learn more about getting an OSHA Safety Certification!

Getting the C-5 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!

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!