CSLB Law and Business Examination — exam facts

CSLB's legal existence is set by Business and Professions Code § 7000.5. CSLB states it has contracted with PSI to administer its examinations.

Source: CSLB — Examinations Frequently Asked Questions (2026-09-03)

Read this as what the prep industry reports, not as a CSLB figure. All five sources are commercial course sellers, none of them attributes the number to CSLB, and every one describes it as approximate — one notes the count varies by test form. Their reliability is measurable: CSLB DOES publish the time limit, 3-1/2 hours per examination, and four of these five state it wrongly. Treat 115 as a planning figure for pacing practice, not as a number to count on.

• Contractors Licensing Schools says “115 Questions Long”
• Ultimate Electricians Guide says “around 115… the number can vary slightly depending on the test form”
• Contractor-Prep says “Approximately 115 multiple-choice questions”
• Peerless Institute says “run about 115 questions in 3.5 hours”
• Contractor Pathway says “roughly 115 questions”
• Contractor Exam Schools disagrees: “150 questions… in 2.5 hours” — reads as the combined Law & Business plus trade sitting

What we read and found nothing in: CSLB — Step 7: Studying for the Examination (2026-09-03) · CSLB — Examinations Frequently Asked Questions (2026-09-03) · CSLB — Law and Business Examination Study Guide (PDF, 13E-LAW rev. 03-2026) (2026-09-03) · PSI Services LLC — Contractors State License Board Licensing Examination Information Guide (fee table) (2026-09-03)

CSLB: “You will be given 3-1/2 hours to complete each examination.” It is per examination, not per sitting — a candidate taking Law and Business plus a trade exam gets 3-1/2 hours for each.

Source: CSLB — Examinations Frequently Asked Questions (2026-09-03)

CSLB: “You will be informed at the test site about the percentage of correct answers needed to pass each examination,” and, in Get Licensed to Build Q14, that the percentage “varies for each exam”. Passing candidates are never shown their own score. PrepPass states no passing score for this exam.

• Ultimate Electricians Guide says “a minimum score of 65%”
• Contractors Licensing Schools says “the Law and Business exam requires a 72% to pass”
• Trade Safe Insurance says “requires 70% (28 of 40 questions) to pass”

What we read and found nothing in: CSLB — Step 7: Studying for the Examination (2026-09-03) · CSLB — Get Licensed to Build (PDF), Q14 (2026-09-03) · CSLB — Examinations Frequently Asked Questions (2026-09-03)

• $450 — Original application (exam or waiver, one classification) (CSLB, one-time)
• $51.43 — Examination registration (each registration, first attempt or retake) (PSI Services LLC, per attempt) Source
• $200 — Initial license fee (sole owner) (CSLB, one-time)
• $350 — Initial license fee (non-sole owner: partnership, corporation, LLC, joint venture) (CSLB, one-time)

Two payees: application and license fees go to CSLB, the per-exam registration fee to PSI. CSLB's 2023 “Get Licensed to Build” PDF still names a $100 rescheduling fee; it appears neither on CSLB's current fee list nor in Business and Professions Code § 7137 as amended effective 1 January 2026, so it is not stated here. The application fee is charged once per original license application and covers both required exams.

Source: CSLB — List of All CSLB Fees (2026-09-03)

CSLB publishes Spanish versions of 10 exams and names this one among them. Candidates requesting a translator for those exams are required to take the Spanish version instead.

Source: CSLB — Examinations Frequently Asked Questions (2026-09-03)