CSLB C-54 Ceramic and Mosaic Tile (Trade Exam) Practice Test
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| 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 — Ceramic and Mosaic Tile (C-54) practice questions are here?+
A full bank of original CSLB Trade — Ceramic and Mosaic Tile (C-54) practice questions across the official content areas, weighted like the real exam, with explanations. Free, no signup.
What is the CSLB Trade — Ceramic and Mosaic Tile (C-54) 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 — Ceramic and Mosaic Tile (C-54)?+
Yes. PrepPass sells CSLB C-54 Tile Trade Exam Study Guide (2026), 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 kitchen floor measures 7 ft 6 in. by 10 ft. What is its area?
- a.76 ft²
- b.75 ft²
- c.86 ft²
- d.70 ft²
Answer: b
Explanation: 7 ft 6 in. is 7.5 ft, and 7.5 × 10 = 75 ft². Reading 7 ft 6 in. as 7.6 ft gives 76 ft², the common error of treating inches as tenths of a foot.
Source: NIST Handbook 44, App. C (units)
- 2. Preparation for Tile and Stone Installation
What thickness range do cement-based self-leveling underlayments cover, according to industry guidance?
- a.1 to 2 inches only
- b.Over 6 inches only
- c.1/16 inch to 6 inches
- d.1/4 to 1/2 inch only
Answer: c
Explanation: Cement-based SLUs can be installed from as thin as 1/16 inch up to 6 inches, depending on the product.
Source: CTEF, underlayment guide
- 3. Installation and Repairs
A slab has a 1/2 inch expansion joint under a new tile floor. How wide must the tile's movement joint be?
- a.No joint is needed
- b.At least 1/2 inch
- c.At least 1/4 inch
- d.Grout-joint width only
Answer: b
Explanation: Joints through tile over structural joints must never be narrower than the structural joint.
Source: TCNA Handbook via CTEF
- 4. Specialty Installations
Which installation method does the VA specification call for in pools holding water?
- a.Latex mortar over membrane
- b.Spot-bonded epoxy
- c.A108.1C, no latex mortar
- d.Organic adhesive over backer
Answer: c
Explanation: Pools holding water use A108.1C, and latex portland cement mortar is not used because latex can re-emulsify under water.
Source: VA 09 30 13
- 5. Planning and Estimating
A customer approves a physical mockup of a tile range that has strong shade variation. What step best protects the contractor afterward?
- a.Taking the approval by phone at the supplier counter
- b.Keeping a photo of the mockup on the installer's phone
- c.Having the sales rep initial the carton labels
- d.A signed, dated approval on the sample
Answer: d
Explanation: A signed and dated mockup is written proof that the customer accepted the whole range of shades. A phone approval leaves nothing on paper, a private photo does not show the customer agreed, and a rep's initials on cartons only identify product.
Source: CTEF, shade variation (mockup approval)
- 6. Planning and Estimating
Two installers each set 35 ft² per hour. How many hours does a 770 ft² floor take if they work together?
- a.22 hours
- b.5.5 hours
- c.44 hours
- d.11 hours
Answer: d
Explanation: Together they set 70 ft² per hour, and 770 ÷ 70 = 11 hours. 22 hours is one installer's time, 5.5 halves the correct time again, and 44 divides by half of a single installer's rate.
Source: Estimating arithmetic
- 7. Preparation for Tile and Stone Installation
An installer ties a loose-lay shower pan liner to an uncoupling membrane from a different maker, and it leaks. What does industry guidance say about this?
- a.Any two membranes are interchangeable with each other
- b.Mixed systems invite failure outside the warranty
- c.Leaks come only from poor tile cutting at the drain
- d.The manufacturer warranty will cover any mixed system
Answer: b
Explanation: Guidance says combining products or methods from various manufacturers is a recipe for failure that the manufacturer's warranty will not cover, and its example of a pan liner joined to an uncoupling membrane leaked at once. Membranes are not interchangeable, and tile cutting was not the cause.
Source: CTEF, wet areas
- 8. Installation and Repairs
What does mortar left to dry inside a movement joint create?
- a.A flexible joint that actually works better
- b.A watertight seal against moisture entry
- c.A rigid joint that stops the installation from moving
- d.A stronger and more protected tile edge
Answer: c
Explanation: Guidance says mortar left in the joint creates a hard joint that defeats the purpose of allowing the installation and the structure to move. It does not make the joint flexible, seal it against water, or strengthen the tile edge.
Source: CTEF, radiant heating (movement joints)
- 9. Installation and Repairs
What does a city handout say about switches and receptacles in a bathtub or shower space?
- a.They are allowed if GFCI protected
- b.Switches are allowed but receptacles are not
- c.They are allowed above 6 feet
- d.They are not allowed in the space
Answer: d
Explanation: The handout states that switches and receptacles are not allowed in bathtub or shower spaces. GFCI protection, a switch-only allowance and a height exception are not provisions of it.
Source: City of San Bruno handout (2025 codes)
- 10. Safety
What is the shortest period an employer with fewer than 10 employees may elect to keep records of scheduled inspections under the IIPP rule?
- a.For one year after each inspection
- b.Only until the hazard is corrected
- c.For three years after each inspection
- d.For the life of the contractor license
Answer: b
Explanation: Section 3203 sets one year for inspection records in general, but an employer with fewer than 10 employees may elect to keep them only until the hazard is corrected, which is the shortest period allowed. One year is the general rule, not the shortest option, and three years or the life of the license are longer than the rule requires.
Source: 8 CCR 3203