California General Building (B) Contractor Exam Prep Courses

With California’s closed-book exam, knowing the material inside and out is essential. CTC equips you with the tools and support to get there.

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Flexible Online Learning That Fits Your Life — AND Gets You Exam-Ready

Master the Closed-Book Exam

Feel fully prepared with a California-specific curriculum built for closed-book mastery and real exam expectations.

Remember What Matters

Short videos, quick drills, and targeted quizzes help you lock in key concepts—without long, overwhelming lessons.

Simplify Your Study Path

A clean, focused study plan removes the clutter so you can stay organized, on track, and ready to finish strong.

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Online

$499.00

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Online, Self-Paced Exam Prep Course covering Trade and Law & Business
Digital Study Guide for clear, organized learning
Flashcards & Downloadable Handouts to boost recall and retention
Practice Exam Simulator with 240+ exam-style questions
Student Orientation with a CTC expert so you can hit the ground running
Access-Until-You-Pass Guarantee for stress-free studying—1 year of course access, extended free until you pass

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Online + Live Cram Sessions

$699.00

WHAT’S INCLUDED

All components in the Online package, plus:

Weekend Live Cram Sessions to help sharpen your skills fast—join intensive 2-day livestreams led by live instructors, offered every month with unlimited sessions all year

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FREE Course Trial—Experience It Now

Feel confident in your decision with a 7-day free trial!

Get an inside look at the course structure and explore a full study module—including videos, drills, and a quiz. See for yourself how easy and effective online studying with CTC can be.

What Our Students Say

"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

California General Building (B) Contractor Exam Prep Services & Materials

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

Before appearing to take the exam, be sure you adequately prepare yourself. You'll have to take the exam plus the Standard Law and Business exam. Additionally, if you've applied for a specific certification, be ready to take that exam as well. Examinations tend to be multiple choice.

If you're a contractor who works with asbestos or hazardous materials, you'll be subject to additional requirements, including safety, reporting, and certification. You'll also need to undergo more exams and training (and complete other applications if you hadn't completed them yet). Only then will you be eligible to receive your certification.

As stated before, you'll need at least four years of experience before you can take the exam. But remember, these years of experience only count if the experience is at the level of a supervisor or higher. This experience doesn't mean the exam will be a breeze! You still have to prepare.

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.