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We Know What Trips Up Most Students — and How to Help You Pass the First Time

  • Most prep courses are built for open-book states, leaving you unprepared for California’s closed-book exam.
  • One-size-fits-all programs don’t work for California—you need content built for recall.
  • Two-week crash courses rarely fit your study schedule or learning pace.
  • Studying alone means getting stuck when tough concepts or application questions come up.

We built the only exam prep designed specifically for California's closed-book format

Built for Closed-Book Mastery

Built for Closed-Book Mastery

Bite-sized videos, audio lessons, and practice quizzes designed for retention—not just reference PDFs.

We're With You Until You Pass

We're With You Until You Pass

Extended access, extra tutoring, whatever it takes—passing isn't optional. 90% of our students pass on their first attempt.

Learn on Your Schedule

Learn on Your Schedule

Full year of access + monthly live classes—not one 2-week session you might miss.

From Exam Prep to Licensed

From Exam Prep to Licensed

Only provider offering 1:1 tutoring AND application processing—we handle it all

Explore Our California General Building (B) Contractor Exam Prep Packages

Best Value Most Popular

What's included in our exam prep packages?

Full-Service

$ 1,449.97

$ 1,849.97

Livestream

$ 699.00

$ 799.97

Online

$ 499.00

$ 699.97

Exam Prep Course: Trade Knowledge and Law & Business Knowledge âś” âś” âś”
Digital Study Guide âś” âś” âś”
Flashcards and Downloadable Handouts âś” âś” âś”
Practice Exam Simulator âś” âś” âś”
Unlimited Student Advisor Support âś” âś” âś”
1-year full course access included âś” âś” âś”
Access-Until-You-Pass Guarantee—course access extended FREE until you pass ✔ ✔ ✔
Live Webinars & Class Recordings: Trade Knowledge and Law & Business Knowledge ✔ ✔
Live Cram Sessions âś” âś”
Instructor Office Hours âś” âś”
1-on-1 Instructor Tutoring âś”
Dedicated State Licensing Specialist âś”
License Application Development and Processing âś”
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  • "I honestly could not have passed the exam without the class. It was well worth the money and I'd recommend your class to anybody!"

    K. Rose

  • "Absolutely love it! Fantastic customer service as well."

    J. Wheeler

  • After taking your class for 1-day Contractor-A/Bldr, I took all 4 sections the next week and passed all 4 on the first try. Sure was glad to get through it so quick and easy - thanks for the help preparing.

    W. Solterbeck

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Overview

Your guide to the California General Building (B) Contractor Exam

The California General Building (B) Contractor Exam is a rigorous assessment of your understanding of building regulations, industry best practices, and key terminology. But with the right study materials and expert-led courses from Contractor Training Center, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence needed to pass the exam and launch your career as a licensed contractor.

Exam Breakdown

What's on the exam

# of Questions Minimum Passing Score Time Allowed
230 166 (72%) 420 minutes
Subject Area # of Questions
Planning and Estimating 39
Framing and Structural Components 50
Core Trades 69
Finish Trades 43
Safety 27

For more information on testing policies, please refer to the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin.

Exam Preparation

How to prepare for the California General Building (B) Contractor Exam

California contractor exams are administered by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). Their purpose is to evaluate aspiring contractors' knowledge of their specific field.

Effective preparation involves a thorough review of all study materials and reference books and relevant California state codes. General Building contractor exam prep courses like the packages available through Contractor Training Center can explain exactly what you need to know to pass your exam the first time. 

License Requirements

How to get your California General Building (B) Contractor license

Contractor Training Center will be with you every step of the way on your path to obtaining a California Contractor License. Here’s what you need to know to get started:

  • You’ll need to be at least 18 years old. 
  • Have four years of verifiable journey-level experience in general construction within the last ten years. College degrees in construction-related fields may substitute for up to three years of experience. 
  • Possess a valid Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). 
  • Obtain a contractor's bond. As of January 1, 2023, the amount was set at $25,000. 
  • You’ll be required to submit proof of workers' compensation insurance if you have employees. 
  • Pass the General Building (B) Contractor Exam. 
  • Pass the Law and Business Exam. 
  • Submit application and fees. 
  • Submit fingerprints for a mandatory criminal background check after your application is accepted.

Meeting license requirements ensures that those engaged in construction-related activities in California possess the necessary knowledge and understanding of building codes, construction practices, and business principles to operate safely and responsibly. To learn more about the process, check out this blog post about becoming a contractor in California. 

Browse All California General Building (B) Contractor Exam Prep Tools & Courses