CSLB C-15 Flooring and Floor Covering (Trade Exam) — Study Guide
Free, topic-by-topic study notes for the CSLB C-15 Flooring and Floor Covering (Trade Exam) exam. Read a chapter, then practice it.
Planning and Estimating
CSLB weights Planning and Estimating at about 21% of the C-15 exam: reading plans and specifications, judging materials, job arithmetic and job site readiness. A calculator is provided. This page is a short survey; the PrepPass C-15 study guide teaches the section with worked estimates and a full practice exam at CSLB's weights.
Subfloor Evaluation, Preparation, and Material Acclimation
About 20% of the C-15 exam covers removing old flooring, preparing and testing the subfloor, underlayments, acclimation and, new in 2026, moisture mitigation. This page is a short survey; the PrepPass C-15 study guide teaches each step with Cal/OSHA's asbestos rules and the manufacturers' moisture limits.
Carpet Installation
Carpet Installation is about 12% of the C-15 exam: tack strip, cushion, layout, seams and stretching. CSLB names the CRI installation standards as a reference. This page is a short survey; the PrepPass C-15 study guide teaches each method with worked layouts.
Resilient and Rubber Flooring Installation
About 12% of the C-15 exam covers sheet layout, adhesives, rolling and seam sealing, and resilient trim. CSLB lists the Armstrong installation manual and Congoleum's brochures as references. This page is a short survey; the PrepPass C-15 study guide teaches each step in full.
Laminate Flooring Installation
Laminate is about 8% of the C-15 exam. Laminate floats, so the rules are about expansion space, vapor barriers and transitions, and they vary by manufacturer. This page is a short survey; the PrepPass C-15 study guide compares two manufacturers' instructions.
Wood Flooring Installation
Wood Flooring is about 10% of the C-15 exam: moisture testing, layout, installation, sanding and finishing. This page is a short survey; the PrepPass C-15 study guide teaches each step from federal specifications, the USDA Wood Handbook and manufacturers' instructions.
Concrete Treatment and Synthetic Application
New for 2026, this section is about 4% of the C-15 exam: mechanical concrete preparation, dust control and resinous (synthetic) finishes. This page is a short survey; the PrepPass C-15 study guide teaches it with Cal/OSHA's silica rules.
Safety
Safety is about 13% of the C-15 exam. CSLB names the Cal/OSHA Title 8 safety orders. This page is a short survey; the PrepPass C-15 study guide teaches each rule with its section number.
Practice by topic
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