United States · Licensing examWho needs a California plumbing license?
CSLB describes a plumbing contractor as someone who provides a safe water supply, ample in volume and at a suitable temperature, and gets rid of fluid waste properly. Taking on plumbing jobs for others needs the license unless the job is under $1,000 in total, needs no permit and uses no employees. CSLB says a bigger job can't be split into small pieces to get under that limit.
California plumbing license requirements
- At least four full years of experience at journey level, or as a foreman, supervisor or contractor, within the last ten years
- Up to three of those years can be credited from technical training, an apprenticeship or education, but at least one year must be practical experience
- Someone who saw your work firsthand, such as an employer or union representative, must verify it
- Fingerprints, and a $25,000 bond in place before the license is issued
CSLB describes a journeyman as a fully qualified, experienced worker who can do the trade without supervision or who has finished an apprenticeship.
The C-36 exam
You take two multiple-choice exams: the Law and Business exam, which every contractor takes, and the C-36 trade exam. The trade exam is closed book, with four choices per question and a calculator provided. CSLB doesn't publish the pass mark. You're told the percentage needed at the test site.
The C-36 study guide for exams from March 1, 2025 splits the trade exam like this:
| Section | Share of the exam |
|---|---|
| Planning and estimating | 22% |
| Underground and rough systems | 22% |
| Finish plumbing installations | 20% |
| Service, repair and remodel | 19% |
| Safety | 17% |
Its references include the 2025 California Plumbing Code and the 2025 California Mechanical and Building Codes, all part of Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations.
Fees as of October 2026
An active license lasts two years. The renewal fee and how to check a contractor's license are on their own pages.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application (one classification) | $450 |
| Initial license, sole owner | $200 |
| Initial license, other business types | $350 |
| Fingerprints: Department of Justice and FBI processing | $32 and $17, plus the Live Scan site's own fee |
Sources: CSLB and 6 more. Checked October 2026.
- CSLB: C-36 Plumbing Contractor classification ↗
- CSLB: Qualifying Experience for the Examination ↗
- CSLB: Before Applying for a License ↗
- CSLB: Studying for the Examination ↗
- CSLB: C-36 Plumbing study guide (form 13E-36, March 2026) ↗
- CSLB: List of fees ↗
- CSLB: General Renewal Information ↗
Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.