CSLB exam pass rate & how many times you can retake it
CSLB does not publish an official first-time pass rate for the contractor exam — it reports results only as PASS or FAIL. What is published are the rules: you need about 73% correct to pass, you must wait 21 days between attempts, and you can retake as many times as needed within the 18 months your application stays valid.
Does CSLB publish a pass rate?
No. The Contractors State License Board reports each candidate's result only as PASS or FAIL and does not release an official first-time or overall pass rate for the Business & Law or trade exams. Any exact "CSLB pass rate" figure you see online is an unofficial estimate, not a number from CSLB.
The one "pass" number CSLB actually defines is the passing score — you need roughly 73% correct (about 84 of the 115 Business & Law questions). That is a passing SCORE, not a pass RATE, and the two are easy to confuse. Industry study providers commonly estimate a first-attempt pass rate somewhere around 60–65%, but treat that as a rough, unverified estimate — CSLB itself has not confirmed it.
CSLB retake facts
How many times can you retake the CSLB exam?
There is no fixed cap on the number of attempts. CSLB's published rules work like this:
- You can retake the exam as many times as needed while your application is valid.
- You must wait 21 calendar days between attempts.
- Your application stays valid for 18 months from the date CSLB accepts it. You have to pass all required exams within that window.
- If you don't pass within 18 months, the application becomes void and you must reapply and pay the fees again. (If you test within the last three weeks before that void date, that attempt is your last chance — you can't reschedule past the deadline.)
How much does it cost to retake?
The one-time application processing fee ($450 to CSLB) is not charged again for a retake within your 18-month window. Each exam attempt does carry the PSI exam fee of $51.43 (2025), paid to PSI when you reschedule. So the main cost of failing is time — and another $51.43 per attempt.
The best way to pass on the first try
Retakes cost time and money, so the goal is to pass the first time. The most reliable way is to practice real questions until you consistently clear the passing score. PrepPass has free CSLB practice questions with answer explanations and a full timed mock exam — no signup required.
Want the full picture of the difficulty and the 7 topic areas?
See how hard the CSLB exam is →Frequently asked questions
What is the CSLB exam pass rate?+
CSLB does not publish an official pass rate — it reports results only as PASS or FAIL. Industry providers commonly estimate a first-attempt pass rate around 60–65%, but that is an unofficial estimate, not a CSLB figure.
How many times can you take the CSLB exam?+
There is no fixed limit. You can retake as many times as needed within the 18 months your application stays valid, with a 21-day wait between attempts.
How long do you have to wait to retake the CSLB exam?+
At least 21 calendar days between attempts, per CSLB.
What happens if you fail the CSLB exam?+
You can reschedule and retake it after 21 days by paying the $51.43 PSI exam fee again. As long as you pass within the 18-month validity of your application, you don't have to reapply.
What score do you need to pass the CSLB exam?+
About 73% correct — roughly 84 of the 115 Business & Law questions. CSLB shows your result on screen as PASS or FAIL immediately after you finish.
Retake and application rules verified against:
CSLB — Examinations FAQ (cslb.ca.gov) →CSLB — After Your Application Is Accepted (cslb.ca.gov) →Last updated: July 2026