What is a C-61/D-41 Siding and Decking Contractor?

The C-61/D-41 is the classification required in the state of California for all persons looking to contract for siding and decking projects where the cost of labor and materials exceeds $500
C-61 Limited Specialty Classification
The C-61 Limited Specialty License is an umbrella term for all licenses that may fall under a more obscure category of construction work. They cover specific areas of construction and construction-related tasks.
If your skillset or business is limited to one particular portion of trade work, you could obtain a C-61 limited specialty license to contract over $500 for your services legally.
Typical duties associated with Siding Contractors

- The process of siding is meant to be the last layer of defense for a home protecting it from the elements
- Siding Contractors install various wood and synthetic products to the exterior or interior of a home
- Decking may include constructing wooden decks
Generally siding contractors duties include:
- Various types of siding including: cement shingle, stucco, vinyl and wood
- Finishing and wall cladding
- Installing shingles, clapboards, vertical boards and wooden sheet siding
- Installing insulated siding
- Containing lead paint if it is present
- Job site evaluation and cost calculating
- Bidding, accounting and preparing invoices
- Ensuring personal and job site safety
Siding Subcontractor
Due to the nature of the trade, siding contractors typically work directly with homeowners in a residential setting.
However, they may also function as subs under a General Contractor.
For example, a General B or Painting Contractor may subcontract someone holding the siding and decking license for their expertise.
As a result, a prime contractor ensures that the siding subcontractor's duties are executed adhering to safety codse or to the specific requests of a client.
CSLB

The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is the governing body for all contractors in the state of California. Their sole responsibility is to protect the consumer public.
They ensure that anyone charging over $500 for construction services is qualified and registered with the state.
The C-61 / D-41 Siding and Decking contractor license is issued to contractors by the CSLB.
Siding Contractor License Requirements
To get the C-61/D-41 siding contractor license you must prove a minimum of 4 years journeyman-level experience and pass a law exam.
To qualify for an exam date 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 #
- Not Currently on probation or parole
You must also have:
- 4 Years Journey Level Experience
- A Certiier to sign off on your experience
- A way to prove your experience if the state asks for documentation
What is journey-level experience?
Journeyman-level experience means that you have worked unsupervised full-time for a Deck construction company, or for a contractor that holds the D-41 Siding License.
- A journeyman can perform all of the duties associated with his or her trade.
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 of a Certifier
The following people may act as a certifier when applying for the siding contractor license:
- Licensed General Contractor
- C-61 / D-41 License Holder
- Former Supervisor (within the last 10 years)
- Fellow Employee (within the last 10 years)
- Business Associate
- Fellow Journeyman
- Union Representative
How to fill out the Contractor License application
In addition, your certifier will need to provide a brief but detailed description of your knowledge and skill set.
The way this description is written is critical to whether or not your application gets accepted.
For example:
“Jim has a lot of experience” is not descriptive enough.
The CSLB will want to see:
“Jim has installed decks made from aluminum, lumber, and metal he has performed siding work on residential and commercial property” etc.
Most importantly, the description written by your qualifying individual has to include the core skills required for the siding contractor license.
Proving your work experience
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 which include:
- 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.
Application Processing, Fees, 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.
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
Contractor License Fees
The Current CSLB fees are:
- State Application Fee
- License Activation Fee (after you pass the exam)
- 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-61/D-41 Siding and Decking contractor License. Thousands of tradesmen get licensed each year in California despite having a criminal record.
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. Typically the CSLB is most concerned with Fraud, Embezzlement, and Forgery.
The Siding Contractor License Exam
Contractor licenses are broken down into four categories:
1) A-General Engineering
2) B-General Building
3) C-Specialty classes
4) C-61 / D-Limited Specialty classes
Each category of license except the D-Limited Specialty license class requires that you pass a TRADE exam.
C-61 Classification license does not require a trade exam.
You must only pass a LAW exam. The exam is:
- 115 Questions on Contractor LAW
- 3 hours to complete
- Multiple choice, taken on a computer
- Closed Book
The Law Examination is divided into eight major sections:
1. Business Organization (13%)
- Company organization
- Licensing requirements
- Advertising and subcontracting
2. Business Finances (15%)
- Cash management
- Budget and planning
- Taxes
- Financial reporting
3. Employment Requirements (20%)
- Hiring Employees
- Supervising and Training Employees
- Evaluation and record-keeping
- Payroll
4. Insurance and Liens (12%)
- Workers’ compensation insurance
- Business Insurance
- Liens and Other Remedies
5. Contract Requirements and Execution (21%)
- Bidding
- Cost control
- Project Organization
- Contracts
- Payments
7. Safety (14%)
- Training and reporting requirements
- General safety
- Hazardous/unknown materials
8. Public Works (5%)
- Prevailing wage requirements
- Bonding requirements
- Insurance requirements
Learn more about Contractor License LAW!
Recommended Resources
CSLB Test Locations:
The CSLB has exam centers all over the state of California. Once your application is approved you will be given a list of locations you can go and take the exam based on your zip code.
These are proctored facilities with cubicles where you take the exam on a computer. The computer will have a calculator for your use. You will not be able to bring in a phone, notes, or personal calculator to the exam center.
- The test is not available online
- The CSLB allows you to bring a pre-approved translator with you
- The CSLB will grant you 18 months after your application is accepted to pass the test
California Contractors License Exam Prep

- Getting the D-41 Decking and Siding License is a smooth process if you have the right information.
- It can be confusing to see unfamiliar terms used to describe tools or job site practices. The CSLB law & business exam covers a number of different topics.
- Questions are presented to you as if you are running a large-scale remodeling business with multiple employees.
- Being prepared and knowing what to study is the most important thing you can do in ensuring your success on the contractor license exam.
Construction Apprenticeships
If you do not have the experience required to get the C-61/D-41 Siding and Decking Contractor license, not to worry!
Your journey begins here. Generally, someone looking to become a contractor would want to look into an apprenticeship to find an experienced person to work with.
For a detailed explanation of this process, check out my article: Apprentice vs Journeyman!
EPA Certification

When making alterations to or around structures built before 1978, deck contractors must know how to contain lead paint if it is present. Rules for Lead paint are set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Lead paint can travel miles through air, rest on soil, and enter air ducts causing potentially fatal respiratory damage.
Decking contractors looking to build profitable businesses must position themselves as experts and the authority within their industry.
Contractors must be a source of information for their clients and community if they want referrals and repeat business. Learn how to get an EPA Certification in 8 hours!
Blueprint Reading Course

Deck contractors should be able to read designs and symbols on construction blueprints.
If installation or repair is part of a larger project, being able to execute their duties within the larger scope of the job is essential.
Reading blueprints is an invaluable skill for all tradesmen but can be especially important for deck contractors.
Check out our Free Blueprint Reading Course!
Conclusion
Getting a Contractor license for Siding and Deck construction 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!