CSLB B-2 Residential Remodeling (Trade Exam) Practice Test
Practice stays free. The full CSLB B-2 Residential Remodeling study guide is the material itself, taught start to finish — a downloadable PDF + EPUB you keep.
| Administering body | Contractors State License Board (CSLB), California Department of Consumer Affairs — exam delivered by PSI Services LLC |
|---|---|
| Questions | Not published by CSLB What we read and found nothing in: CSLB — Step 7: Studying for the Examination |
| Time limit | 210 minutes |
| Passing score | Not published by CSLB What we read and found nothing in: CSLB — Step 7: Studying for the Examination |
| Fees |
Source: CSLB — List of All CSLB Fees |
| Languages offered | English |
Frequently asked questions
How many CSLB Trade — Residential Remodeling (B-2) practice questions are here?+
A full bank of original CSLB Trade — Residential Remodeling (B-2) practice questions across the official content areas, weighted like the real exam, with explanations. Free, no signup.
What is the CSLB Trade — Residential Remodeling (B-2) exam like?+
A multiple-choice exam, 210 minutes. Practice by topic here, then take the full timed mock exam to gauge readiness.
Are these the real exam questions?+
No. Every question is 100% original, written from public primary sources with explanations. We never copy real exam questions or paid prep material.
Can I study in Chinese or Spanish?+
PrepPass practice is in English, 中文 and Español. The official exam is in English — switch the question language to English any time to rehearse the exact terminology you'll see on test day.
Is there a study guide for the CSLB Trade — Residential Remodeling (B-2)?+
Yes. PrepPass sells CSLB B-2 Residential Remodeling Study Guide — 2026 Edition, a PDF + EPUB download, $24.99 one-time; the practice on this page stays free without it. See the study guide →
Sample practice questions
A few sample questions from this free bank, with full explanations. Use the practice tool above for the whole set.
- 1. Planning and Estimating
A homeowner wants only a new kitchen faucet and sink installed. Why is this not a B-2 contract on its own?
- a.B-2 contracts must exceed a set dollar amount
- b.B-2 contractors may not touch plumbing fixtures
- c.Sinks are structural elements of the house
- d.It needs three or more unrelated trades
Answer: d
Explanation: The statute bars a residential remodeling contractor from taking a contract that does not include three or more unrelated trades, so a one-trade fixture swap fails. Plumbing fixtures are allowed work, a sink is not structural, and the statute sets no dollar floor.
Source: Bus. & Prof. Code section 7057.5(b)(2)
- 2. Job Site Preparation
Under Cal/OSHA's housekeeping rule, what must be done about scrap lumber with protruding nails?
- a.Leave it until final cleanup
- b.Stack it by the stairs for reuse
- c.Keep it cleared
- d.Hammer the nails flat on site
Answer: c
Explanation: Scrap lumber with protruding nails must be kept reasonably cleared from work areas, passageways and stairs. Stacking by stairs, flattening in place and waiting until the end do not meet the rule.
Source: 8 CCR 1513(a)
- 3. Core Trades Remodeling
Which tile mortar coverage does ANSI A108 call for in a wet area?
- a.65 percent
- b.95 percent
- c.80 percent
- d.50 percent
Answer: b
Explanation: Wet and exterior areas require 95 percent mortar coverage for ceramic and porcelain tile. Fifty and sixty-five percent are not the published requirement, and 80 percent is the dry-area figure that is easy to confuse with it.
Source: ANSI A108 requirement as stated by the Ceramic Tile Foundation
- 4. Exterior Remodeling
What does the CRC require behind exterior wall finishes?
- a.A vapor retarder, with nothing else behind the siding
- b.Paint applied directly on the sheathing boards
- c.Nothing if siding is vinyl
- d.At least one layer of water-resistive barrier
Answer: d
Explanation: At least one layer of water-resistive barrier covers studs or sheathing on all exterior walls. A vapor retarder alone does not shed water, paint on sheathing is not a barrier, and vinyl siding does not remove the requirement.
Source: 2025 CRC R703.2
- 5. Planning and Estimating
A homeowner's project is a new floor in one bedroom, nothing else. How does the B-2 license rule apply?
- a.The job is not B-2 work
- b.The job is B-2 work if the owner signs a waiver
- c.The job is B-2 work if it costs under a set dollar limit
- d.The job is B-2 work, because flooring is a listed trade
Answer: a
Explanation: A residential remodeling contractor may not take a contract unless it includes three or more unrelated trades, so a flooring-only job fails even though flooring is listed. A waiver cannot waive the statute, and the statute sets no dollar limit.
Source: Bus. & Prof. Code section 7057.5(b)(2)
- 6. Job Site Preparation
A pipe needs a 1-1/2 inch hole bored in a 2x4 stud (3-1/2 inches deep) in a nonbearing partition. Is that allowed, and what is the edge limit?
- a.No, because holes may not exceed 1 inch
- b.Yes, with no limit on how close to the edge
- c.No, because 1-1/2 inches exceeds 40 percent
- d.Yes, since it is under 60 percent of depth
Answer: d
Explanation: Boring is limited to 60 percent of depth (2.1 inches here) and the hole edge stays at least 5/8 inch from the stud edge; in a bearing stud over 40 percent (1.4 inches) the stud is doubled, so 1-1/2 inches in a nonbearing partition is acceptable. The 1-inch cap and no-edge-limit options are not the rule.
Source: 2025 CRC R602.6
- 7. Core Trades Remodeling
A kitchen has a 9-foot wall countertop with no breaks. By the 24-inch rule, what is the minimum number of countertop receptacles on that wall?
- a.Three
- b.Two
- c.Four
- d.Five
Answer: a
Explanation: With end receptacles within 24 inches of the ends and spacing at most 48 inches, 108 − 48 = 60 inches between end receptacles needs one more, for three. Two leaves a 60-inch gap, and four or five exceed the minimum.
Source: City of Rancho Cucamonga handout BSF-0030 (CEC 210.52 as cited)
- 8. Core Trades Remodeling
On a stair, how much may the largest riser exceed the smallest in a flight?
- a.1/4 inch
- b.1-1/2 inches
- c.3/4 inch
- d.3/8 inch
Answer: d
Explanation: The greatest riser may exceed the smallest by no more than 3/8 inch in a flight. One quarter, three quarters and 1-1/2 inches are not the stated variation.
Source: 2025 CRC R318.7.5.1
- 9. Finish Trades Remodeling
A hearth extension for a 5 square foot opening must reach how far in front of the opening?
- a.8 inches
- b.12 inches
- c.20 inches
- d.16 inches
Answer: d
Explanation: Under 6 square feet the extension is 16 inches in front and 8 inches at the sides. Twenty inches is the figure for larger openings, and 8 and 12 inches are side figures.
Source: 2025 CRC R1001.10
- 10. Exterior Remodeling
An exterior landing at the required egress door has a floor 3 inches lower than the threshold, and the door swings over that landing. What is the finding?
- a.It is required
- b.It is acceptable if there is a door mat
- c.It is acceptable
- d.It is more than the 1-1/2 inch allowance
Answer: d
Explanation: The landing or floor at the required egress door is not more than 1-1/2 inches lower than the top of the threshold, with an exception for the exterior side where the door does not swing over it. Here the door does swing over the landing, so the exception does not apply: a 3-inch drop exceeds the allowance, a door mat does not change the drop, and calling it acceptable ignores the limit.
Source: 2025 CRC R318.3.1