CALIFORNIA GENERAL BUILDING CONTRACTOR
(CLASS B) EXAMINATION
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES
PART 1: LAW AND BUSINESS (Questions 1–30)
Question 1: What is the minimum bond amount required for a California contractor's license?
Answer: $15,000.
Rationale: The CSLB requires contractors to maintain a $15,000 contractor's bond for the
benefit of consumers who are harmed by the contractor's actions. The bond can be used to pay
claims for damages resulting from the contractor's failure to perform work, failure to pay
subcontractors, or other violations.
Question 2: How many years of journey-level experience are required to qualify for a Class B
General Building Contractor license?
Answer: Four years of journey-level experience within the last ten years in the classification
being applied for.
,Rationale: To qualify for a Class B license, an individual must have at least four years of full-
time journey-level experience (or equivalent) within the ten years immediately preceding the
application. At least one year of this experience must be within the last five years.
Question 3: Under California law, a homeowner has how many business days to cancel a home
improvement contract?
Answer: Three business days.
Rationale: California Civil Code Section 1689.5 gives homeowners three business days to cancel
a home improvement contract without penalty. The contractor must provide the homeowner with
a written notice of this right at the time the contract is signed.
Question 4: A contractor receives a progress payment from the owner. The contractor must pay
their subcontractors:
Answer: Within 10 days of receiving the funds.
Rationale: Under California prompt payment laws (Business and Professions Code Section
7108.5), a prime contractor must pay subcontractors within 10 days of receiving payment from
the owner, unless the subcontract agreement specifies a different timeframe. Failure to pay
subcontractors promptly can result in penalties, interest, and potential license discipline.
,Question 5: Which of the following is a required provision in a home improvement contract?
Answer: The contractor's license number.
Rationale: Business and Professions Code Section 7159 requires that home improvement
contracts contain specific information, including the contractor's license number, the name and
address of the contractor and homeowner, a description of the work, the total price, the payment
schedule, and a notice of the homeowner's right to cancel within three business days.
Question 6: What is the penalty for acting as a contractor without a license in California?
Answer: A fine of up to $15,000 and potential imprisonment.
Rationale: Business and Professions Code Section 7028 makes it a misdemeanor to act as a
contractor without a license. Penalties include a fine of up to $15,000 and/or imprisonment for
up to one year. Additionally, an unlicensed contractor cannot file a mechanics lien or sue to
collect payment for work performed.
Question 7: A contractor's license has expired. What is the grace period for renewal?
Answer: Five years.
Rationale: A contractor's license can be renewed within five years of expiration without having
to retake the examination, provided the renewal application and fees are submitted. After five
, years, the license is permanently canceled, and the contractor must reapply and retake the
examination.
Question 8: What is the purpose of a "performance bond"?
Answer: To guarantee the contractor will complete the project according to the contract terms.
Rationale: A performance bond is a surety bond that guarantees the contractor will perform the
work as specified in the contract. If the contractor fails to complete the work, the surety may step
in to complete the project or compensate the owner. Performance bonds are often required on
public works projects and large private projects.
Question 9: What is the maximum amount of retention that can be withheld from a
subcontractor on a private works project?
Answer: 10% of the contract price.
Rationale: Under California Civil Code Section 8823, the maximum retention that can be
withheld from a subcontractor on a private works project is 10% of the contract price. This limit
applies to the total amount retained from all subcontractors.
Question 10: A contractor receives a 1099-NEC form from a client. What does this form
represent?
(CLASS B) EXAMINATION
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES
PART 1: LAW AND BUSINESS (Questions 1–30)
Question 1: What is the minimum bond amount required for a California contractor's license?
Answer: $15,000.
Rationale: The CSLB requires contractors to maintain a $15,000 contractor's bond for the
benefit of consumers who are harmed by the contractor's actions. The bond can be used to pay
claims for damages resulting from the contractor's failure to perform work, failure to pay
subcontractors, or other violations.
Question 2: How many years of journey-level experience are required to qualify for a Class B
General Building Contractor license?
Answer: Four years of journey-level experience within the last ten years in the classification
being applied for.
,Rationale: To qualify for a Class B license, an individual must have at least four years of full-
time journey-level experience (or equivalent) within the ten years immediately preceding the
application. At least one year of this experience must be within the last five years.
Question 3: Under California law, a homeowner has how many business days to cancel a home
improvement contract?
Answer: Three business days.
Rationale: California Civil Code Section 1689.5 gives homeowners three business days to cancel
a home improvement contract without penalty. The contractor must provide the homeowner with
a written notice of this right at the time the contract is signed.
Question 4: A contractor receives a progress payment from the owner. The contractor must pay
their subcontractors:
Answer: Within 10 days of receiving the funds.
Rationale: Under California prompt payment laws (Business and Professions Code Section
7108.5), a prime contractor must pay subcontractors within 10 days of receiving payment from
the owner, unless the subcontract agreement specifies a different timeframe. Failure to pay
subcontractors promptly can result in penalties, interest, and potential license discipline.
,Question 5: Which of the following is a required provision in a home improvement contract?
Answer: The contractor's license number.
Rationale: Business and Professions Code Section 7159 requires that home improvement
contracts contain specific information, including the contractor's license number, the name and
address of the contractor and homeowner, a description of the work, the total price, the payment
schedule, and a notice of the homeowner's right to cancel within three business days.
Question 6: What is the penalty for acting as a contractor without a license in California?
Answer: A fine of up to $15,000 and potential imprisonment.
Rationale: Business and Professions Code Section 7028 makes it a misdemeanor to act as a
contractor without a license. Penalties include a fine of up to $15,000 and/or imprisonment for
up to one year. Additionally, an unlicensed contractor cannot file a mechanics lien or sue to
collect payment for work performed.
Question 7: A contractor's license has expired. What is the grace period for renewal?
Answer: Five years.
Rationale: A contractor's license can be renewed within five years of expiration without having
to retake the examination, provided the renewal application and fees are submitted. After five
, years, the license is permanently canceled, and the contractor must reapply and retake the
examination.
Question 8: What is the purpose of a "performance bond"?
Answer: To guarantee the contractor will complete the project according to the contract terms.
Rationale: A performance bond is a surety bond that guarantees the contractor will perform the
work as specified in the contract. If the contractor fails to complete the work, the surety may step
in to complete the project or compensate the owner. Performance bonds are often required on
public works projects and large private projects.
Question 9: What is the maximum amount of retention that can be withheld from a
subcontractor on a private works project?
Answer: 10% of the contract price.
Rationale: Under California Civil Code Section 8823, the maximum retention that can be
withheld from a subcontractor on a private works project is 10% of the contract price. This limit
applies to the total amount retained from all subcontractors.
Question 10: A contractor receives a 1099-NEC form from a client. What does this form
represent?
