CSLB C-15 Flooring and Floor Covering (Trade Exam) Practice Test
| 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 · Spanish |
Frequently asked questions
How many CSLB Trade — Flooring and Floor Covering (C-15) practice questions are here?+
A full bank of original CSLB Trade — Flooring and Floor Covering (C-15) practice questions across the official content areas, weighted like the real exam, with explanations. Free, no signup.
What is the CSLB Trade — Flooring and Floor Covering (C-15) 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.
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
On a plan drawn at 1/2 inch = 1 foot, a wall measures 7-1/4 inches. How long is the wall?
- a.7-1/4 feet
- b.14.5 feet
- c.29 feet
- d.58 feet
Answer: b
Explanation: At 1/2 inch = 1 foot each inch of paper is 2 feet, so 7.25 × 2 = 14.5 feet. Twenty-nine feet is the result at the 1/4-inch scale, 58 feet the result at the 1/8-inch scale, and 7-1/4 feet ignores the scale entirely.
Source: Armstrong F-5061 Ch. 11 (blueprint scales)
- 2. Planning and Estimating
A 6-foot roll has a 4-inch core, a 16-inch outside diameter and 30 laps. Using Armstrong's quick-inventory formula, about how many square yards does it hold?
- a.78.6 yd²
- b.600 yd²
- c.52.3 yd²
- d.41.9 yd²
Answer: c
Explanation: The formula adds core and outside diameters (20 inches), multiplies by the laps (600) and by 0.0872, giving 52.3 yd². 41.9 uses only the outside diameter. 78.6 multiplies by 0.131, which gives lineal feet, not square yards. 600 is the intermediate product before the factor.
Source: Armstrong F-5061 Ch. 11 (quick inventory)
- 3. Planning and Estimating
According to the federal carpeting specification's design notes, which fiber is recommended for commercial installations?
- a.Triexta (PTT)
- b.Nylon
- c.Cotton
- d.PET polyester
Answer: b
Explanation: The notes describe nylon as abrasion resistant, durable and recommended for commercial installations. PET polyester is limited to light-wear areas because it rebounds poorly once crushed. Triexta is recommended for residential use. Cotton is listed among fibers that may not meet commercial performance requirements.
Source: UFGS 09 68 00, §2.1 notes
- 4. Subfloor Evaluation, Preparation, and Material Acclimation
How is the surface pH of concrete tested under the ASTM F710 method Armstrong describes?
- a.A calcium chloride dish weighed after 72 hours
- b.Tap water pooled overnight, then a pH strip
- c.A pH strip pressed dry onto the slab for 5 minutes
- d.Distilled water on the slab 60 seconds, then a pH strip
Answer: d
Explanation: Distilled water is placed on the slab for 60 seconds and a pH indicator strip is placed into it. A dry strip has nothing to react with. Tap water and an overnight wait are not the method; CRI also specifies distilled water. The calcium chloride dish measures moisture emission, not pH.
Source: Armstrong F-5061 Ch. 3 §E-11; ASTM F710 (named)
- 5. Subfloor Evaluation, Preparation, and Material Acclimation
Armstrong does not recommend installing new flooring over which kind of existing floor?
- a.A single layer of well-bonded smooth vinyl
- b.Smooth sheet vinyl, with embossing leveled
- c.Existing rubber or slip-retardant flooring
- d.Fully adhered, stripped linoleum
Answer: c
Explanation: Armstrong does not recommend new flooring over existing rubber or slip-retardant floors. A single, well-bonded, smooth resilient layer can be acceptable under its conditions. Stripped, adhered linoleum and leveled sheet vinyl fit those conditions when the system allows it.
Source: Armstrong F-5061 Ch. 3 §F
- 6. Carpet Installation
On stairs, which way do most carpet manufacturers want the pile to run?
- a.Down the stairs
- b.Alternating each step
- c.Up the stairs
- d.Across the stairs
Answer: a
Explanation: CRI notes that most manufacturers recommend carpet pile direction run down the stairs, with the machine direction in the length direction of the stairs. Up and across are not the recommended directions. Alternating each step makes every other tread look different.
Source: CRI 105 §15.4
- 7. Resilient and Rubber Flooring Installation
Tile corners stop meeting exactly as an installation moves across a room. What does Armstrong call this, and what causes it?
- a.Bleeding, from too much adhesive
- b.Run-off; subfloor not level
- c.Telegraphing, from trowel ridges
- d.Peaking, from power stretching
Answer: b
Explanation: Armstrong calls it run-off and says it may occur if the subfloor is not completely level. Peaking is a carpet seam term from stretching. Telegraphing is show-through of substrate or trowel marks. Bleeding is adhesive squeezing up at joints.
Source: Armstrong F-5061 Ch. 6 §B-4
- 8. Laminate Flooring Installation
At a door frame, how does one water-resistant laminate maker have the planks fit under the frame?
- a.Glued to the frame with silicone
- b.1/4 in. under; 3/8 in. hidden gap
- c.Butted tight against the frame
- d.Stopped 1 inch short and caulked
Answer: b
Explanation: This maker slides the flooring at least 1/4 inch under the undercut door frame and leaves a concealed expansion space of at least 3/8 inch. Butting tight leaves no expansion room. Gluing pins the floor. Stopping short leaves a visible gap.
Source: Manufacturer laminate installation instructions (RevWood Plus)
- 9. Wood Flooring Installation
Under the federal wood flooring specification, how are floor areas the drum sander cannot reach finished?
- a.With the drum sander held at an angle
- b.Left unsanded under the base
- c.With an edger or by hand
- d.With a chemical stripper
Answer: c
Explanation: The specification says to finish edges not reached by the sander with an edger or by hand methods. Tilting the drum gouges the floor. Unsanded edges would not take finish evenly. Chemical strippers are not the specified method.
Source: UFGS 09 64 29 §3.3
- 10. Safety
Which hazard is listed in section 3385 as requiring appropriate foot protection?
- a.Kneeling on hard surfaces
- b.Falling objects or crushing actions
- c.Exposure to sunlight outdoors
- d.Loud tools such as floor sanders
Answer: b
Explanation: Section 3385 requires foot protection for exposure to electrical hazards, hot, corrosive or poisonous substances, falling objects, and crushing or penetrating actions. Kneeling is a knee hazard. Noise is addressed by hearing protection. Sunlight is a heat and skin issue.
Source: Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8, §3385(a)