Practice test

California General Contractor Practice Test

Free California general contractor practice test with 20 questions on business and law, estimating, and building codes. Instant scoring and explanations.

These questions are for study practice only and are not official exam questions.

Question 1

1

What defines the scope of California's B General Building Contractor classification?

Question 2

2

What is the amount of the contractor license bond that every licensed California contractor must maintain?

Question 3

3

In California, a contractor license is required for any construction job where the combined labor and materials cost reaches what amount?

Question 4

4

What is the CSLB application processing fee for an original contractor license examination application?

Question 5

5

In general construction law, what does a mechanics lien do?

Question 6

6

How much journey-level experience must the qualifying individual show to be eligible for a California contractor license exam?

Question 7

7

Which exams must a first-time California B General Building applicant normally pass, and who administers them?

Question 8

8

How often must a California contractor license be renewed, and what continuing education does CSLB require?

Question 9

9

On a California contractor license held by a corporation, what is the role of the qualifying individual (RMO or RME)?

Question 10

10

Under California law effective January 1, 2026, which CSLB licensees must carry workers' compensation insurance?

Question 11

11

Why do subcontractors and material suppliers serve a preliminary notice near the start of a private construction project?

Question 12

12

When is an additional $25,000 bond of qualifying individual required on a California contractor license?

Question 13

13

A contractor licensed in another state asks about waiving the California trade exam. With which states does CSLB have reciprocity agreements?

Question 14

14

How does California's B-2 Residential Remodeling classification differ from the B General Building classification?

Question 15

15

In construction estimating, which of the following is a DIRECT cost of a project?

Question 16

16

What does the term overhead mean in a contractor's pricing?

Question 17

17

What is a quantity takeoff in the estimating process?

Question 18

18

Why should a bid always be based on a clearly written scope of work?

Question 19

19

In an estimate, what does a unit cost represent?

Question 20

20

A job's direct cost is $100,000 and the contractor applies a 25 percent markup. What is the bid price, and what gross margin does that produce?

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