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California C-43 Sheet Metal Contractor EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR –
JUST RELEASED
California C-43 Sheet Metal Contractor Exam
250 Practice Questions with Rationales
EXAM COVERAGE OVERVIEW (10 Key Points)
1. License Classification & Scope – The C-43 license covers selecting, cutting, shaping,
fabricating, and installing sheet metal including cornices, flashings, gutters, leaders,
pans, kitchen equipment, ductwork, patented chimneys, metal flues, metal roofing
systems, and other sheet metal installations .
2. Examination Domains – The exam is divided into four sections: Planning and Estimating
(25%), Fabrication (26%), Installation (28%), and Safety (21%) .
3. Experience Requirement – Applicants must have at least four years of journey-level
experience and be at least 18 years old .
4. Exam Format – The exam is closed-book, multiple-choice with four choices per question.
A calculator is provided, and there is no penalty for guessing .
5. Key Reference Standards – SMACNA Architectural Sheet Metal Manual, SMACNA HVAC
Duct Construction Standards, 2022 California Mechanical Code (Title 24), and Cal/OSHA
Title 8 safety orders are referenced .
6. Licensing Agency – The Contractors State License Board (CSLB), under the Department
of Consumer Affairs, issues the C-43 license .
7. Application & Fees – The license application fee is $450. Initial license fee is $200 (sole
owner) or $350 (non-sole owner) for 2 years .
8. Exam Requirements – Candidates must pass both the Business/Law exam and the C-43
trade exam, with computerized exams given daily at 20 sites statewide .
9. Material Standards – 26-gauge galvanized steel is the standard for residential ductwork
and commercial rectangular duct .
10. Fabrication Seams – The lock seam is the standard seam used when fabricating
downspouts with a cornice brake .
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1. Which California license classification specifically covers sheet metal contracting work?
A) C-10 Electrical Contractor
B) C-43 Sheet Metal Contractor
C) B General Contractor
D) C-39 Roofing Contractor
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: California Code of Regulations Title 16, Section 832.43 establishes the C-43 Sheet
Metal Contractor classification. The C-43 license specifically covers sheet metal contracting work
in California, including selecting, cutting, shaping, fabricating, and installing sheet metal .
2. What is the official scope of work for a California C-43 Sheet Metal Contractor?
A) Only HVAC ductwork installation
B) Selecting, cutting, shaping, fabricating, and installing sheet metal including cornices,
flashings, gutters, leaders, pans, kitchen equipment, duct work, patented chimneys, metal flues,
and metal roofing systems
C) Only metal roofing and flashing
D) Only commercial kitchen equipment installation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: California Code of Regulations Section 832.43 defines a sheet metal contractor as
one who selects, cuts, shapes, fabricates, and installs sheet metal such as cornices, flashings,
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gutters, leaders, pans, kitchen equipment, duct work (including insulation, patented chimneys,
metal flues, metal roofing systems, and any other installations requiring sheet metal) .
3. According to the CSLB, which exam section has the highest percentage weighting on the C-
43 exam?
A) Planning and Estimating (25%)
B) Fabrication (26%)
C) Installation (28%)
D) Safety (21%)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Installation accounts for 28% of the exam, the largest section. Fabrication is 26%,
Planning and Estimating is 25%, and Safety is 21% .
4. Which organization provides widely used standards for sheet metal duct construction?
A) OSHA
B) EPA
C) SMACNA
D) ASHRAE
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: SMACNA (Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association)
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publishes industry standards for duct construction, installation, and sealing. The HVAC Duct
Construction Standards - Metal and Flexible is a key reference for the C-43 exam .
5. What is the most common material used for residential HVAC ductwork?
A) Copper
B) Galvanized steel
C) Aluminum
D) Stainless steel
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Galvanized steel is widely used for residential HVAC ductwork because it resists
corrosion, is durable, cost-effective, and easy to fabricate. It provides the best balance of
durability, corrosion resistance, and cost .
6. How many years of journey-level experience are required for the California C-43 license?
A) 2 years
B) 3 years
C) 4 years
D) 5 years
California C-43 Sheet Metal Contractor EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR –
JUST RELEASED
California C-43 Sheet Metal Contractor Exam
250 Practice Questions with Rationales
EXAM COVERAGE OVERVIEW (10 Key Points)
1. License Classification & Scope – The C-43 license covers selecting, cutting, shaping,
fabricating, and installing sheet metal including cornices, flashings, gutters, leaders,
pans, kitchen equipment, ductwork, patented chimneys, metal flues, metal roofing
systems, and other sheet metal installations .
2. Examination Domains – The exam is divided into four sections: Planning and Estimating
(25%), Fabrication (26%), Installation (28%), and Safety (21%) .
3. Experience Requirement – Applicants must have at least four years of journey-level
experience and be at least 18 years old .
4. Exam Format – The exam is closed-book, multiple-choice with four choices per question.
A calculator is provided, and there is no penalty for guessing .
5. Key Reference Standards – SMACNA Architectural Sheet Metal Manual, SMACNA HVAC
Duct Construction Standards, 2022 California Mechanical Code (Title 24), and Cal/OSHA
Title 8 safety orders are referenced .
6. Licensing Agency – The Contractors State License Board (CSLB), under the Department
of Consumer Affairs, issues the C-43 license .
7. Application & Fees – The license application fee is $450. Initial license fee is $200 (sole
owner) or $350 (non-sole owner) for 2 years .
8. Exam Requirements – Candidates must pass both the Business/Law exam and the C-43
trade exam, with computerized exams given daily at 20 sites statewide .
9. Material Standards – 26-gauge galvanized steel is the standard for residential ductwork
and commercial rectangular duct .
10. Fabrication Seams – The lock seam is the standard seam used when fabricating
downspouts with a cornice brake .
, Page 2 of 121
1. Which California license classification specifically covers sheet metal contracting work?
A) C-10 Electrical Contractor
B) C-43 Sheet Metal Contractor
C) B General Contractor
D) C-39 Roofing Contractor
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: California Code of Regulations Title 16, Section 832.43 establishes the C-43 Sheet
Metal Contractor classification. The C-43 license specifically covers sheet metal contracting work
in California, including selecting, cutting, shaping, fabricating, and installing sheet metal .
2. What is the official scope of work for a California C-43 Sheet Metal Contractor?
A) Only HVAC ductwork installation
B) Selecting, cutting, shaping, fabricating, and installing sheet metal including cornices,
flashings, gutters, leaders, pans, kitchen equipment, duct work, patented chimneys, metal flues,
and metal roofing systems
C) Only metal roofing and flashing
D) Only commercial kitchen equipment installation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: California Code of Regulations Section 832.43 defines a sheet metal contractor as
one who selects, cuts, shapes, fabricates, and installs sheet metal such as cornices, flashings,
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gutters, leaders, pans, kitchen equipment, duct work (including insulation, patented chimneys,
metal flues, metal roofing systems, and any other installations requiring sheet metal) .
3. According to the CSLB, which exam section has the highest percentage weighting on the C-
43 exam?
A) Planning and Estimating (25%)
B) Fabrication (26%)
C) Installation (28%)
D) Safety (21%)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Installation accounts for 28% of the exam, the largest section. Fabrication is 26%,
Planning and Estimating is 25%, and Safety is 21% .
4. Which organization provides widely used standards for sheet metal duct construction?
A) OSHA
B) EPA
C) SMACNA
D) ASHRAE
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: SMACNA (Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association)
, Page 4 of 121
publishes industry standards for duct construction, installation, and sealing. The HVAC Duct
Construction Standards - Metal and Flexible is a key reference for the C-43 exam .
5. What is the most common material used for residential HVAC ductwork?
A) Copper
B) Galvanized steel
C) Aluminum
D) Stainless steel
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Galvanized steel is widely used for residential HVAC ductwork because it resists
corrosion, is durable, cost-effective, and easy to fabricate. It provides the best balance of
durability, corrosion resistance, and cost .
6. How many years of journey-level experience are required for the California C-43 license?
A) 2 years
B) 3 years
C) 4 years
D) 5 years
