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US License & Certification Exam Facts (2026)

Quick, sourced reference for the most common US license and certification exams — how many questions, the passing score, cost, validity and which languages each exam is offered in. Free practice tests for every exam below.
ExamLength & formatPassing scoreCostValidity
CSLB Contractor (Law & Business)115 questions · 3.5 hours73%
ServSafe Food Protection Manager90 multiple-choice questions (80 scored + 10 pilot); 2-hour limit70%$99 exam voucher; up to ~$179 for the course + proctored exam bundle5 years (some jurisdictions recognize 3 years)
CNA — Certified Nursing Assistant60-70 multiple-choice + 5 skills demonstration; 75% to pass the knowledge exam75%~$140 exam ($40 knowledge + $100 skills); training $600-$2,0002 years; renew with 24 hours continuing education (HSC §1337.3)
California Food Handler Card~40 questions, ~70-75% passing score, ~1 hour75%Typically $15 from ANSI-accredited providers3 years
Cosmetology State BoardCosmetologist 100 Qs · Barber 100 Qs · Esthetician 60 Qs · Manicurist 40 Qs75%
California Guard Card (BSIS)40 questions; 100% required to pass per 16 CCR §628; retakes permitted100%~$250-$300 total: ~$200 training + $60 BSIS application + ~$49-$124 Live Scan2 years from issue; renew every 2 years with 8 hours of annual continuing education
RBS Alcohol Server40 multiple-choice questions; 70%+ to pass (varies by provider); retakes free70%$3-$30 (training + exam from ABC-approved provider)3 years
EPA 608 TechnicianCore plus each Type has 25 multiple-choice questions; Universal requires all four sections (100 questions total)70%About $20-$100 depending on provider and sections taken (a Universal sitting runs roughly $65 online)Does not expire — the certification is valid for life
NYC Food ProtectionProctored in-person final exam at the Health Academy (official question count and passing score not published by DOHMH)$24 exam (+$0.60 card fee); free online courseCertificate does not expire, but a certified supervisor must be present whenever the establishment is open
Life & Health Insurance License~150 questions, ~3 hours, 60% passing score60%$229 application fee + ~$54 PSI exam fee (2025)License valid 2 years (renewable with continuing education)
Property & Casualty Insurance License~150 questions, ~3 hours, 60% passing score60%$229 application fee + ~$54 PSI exam fee + Live ScanLicense valid 2 years (renewable)
Personal Lines Insurance License~100 questions, ~2.5 hours, 60% passing score60%$229 application fee + ~$54 PSI exam fee + Live ScanLicense valid 2 years (renewable)
Figures are compiled from official boards/issuers and public codes; always confirm current details with the exam authority (linked in each card).

CSLB Contractor (Law & Business)

Exam
California CSLB Business & Law Exam
Board / issuer
California Contractors State License Board (CSLB)
Length & format
115 questions · 3.5 hours
Passing score
73%
Cost
Validity
Languages offered
Legal basis
Official source

ServSafe Food Protection Manager

Exam
ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification Exam
Board / issuer
National Restaurant Association (ANAB-CFP accredited, proctored via Pearson VUE)
Length & format
90 multiple-choice questions (80 scored + 10 pilot); 2-hour limit
Passing score
70%
Cost
$99 exam voucher; up to ~$179 for the course + proctored exam bundle
Validity
5 years (some jurisdictions recognize 3 years)
Languages offered
English, Español
Legal basis
FDA Food Code 2022; adopted by state/local health codes nationwide
Official source

CNA — Certified Nursing Assistant

Exam
California Certified Nursing Assistant exam (D&S Diversified / Headmaster)
Board / issuer
California Department of Public Health (CDPH); training under HSC §1276.5
Length & format
60-70 multiple-choice + 5 skills demonstration; 75% to pass the knowledge exam
Passing score
75%
Cost
~$140 exam ($40 knowledge + $100 skills); training $600-$2,000
Validity
2 years; renew with 24 hours continuing education (HSC §1337.3)
Languages offered
English, 中文, Español, Tiếng Việt
Legal basis
42 CFR §483; HSC §1276.5, §1337.3, §1599.65; Title 22 CCR §72527; W&I §15630 (abuse reporting)
Official source

California Food Handler Card

Exam
California Food Handler Card
Board / issuer
California Department of Public Health (ANSI-CFP accredited providers)
Length & format
~40 questions, ~70-75% passing score, ~1 hour
Passing score
75%
Cost
Typically $15 from ANSI-accredited providers
Validity
3 years
Languages offered
English, 中文, Español
Legal basis
California Health & Safety Code §113945+ (SB 602, 2010)
Official source

Cosmetology State Board

Exam
California Cosmetology / Barber / Esthetician / Manicurist Exam
Board / issuer
California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (BBC)
Length & format
Cosmetologist 100 Qs · Barber 100 Qs · Esthetician 60 Qs · Manicurist 40 Qs
Passing score
75%
Cost
Validity
Languages offered
English, 中文, Español
Legal basis
Official source

California Guard Card (BSIS)

Exam
California Security Guard Registration (Power to Arrest & Appropriate Use of Force exam)
Board / issuer
Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS), CA Department of Consumer Affairs
Length & format
40 questions; 100% required to pass per 16 CCR §628; retakes permitted
Passing score
100%
Cost
~$250-$300 total: ~$200 training + $60 BSIS application + ~$49-$124 Live Scan
Validity
2 years from issue; renew every 2 years with 8 hours of annual continuing education
Languages offered
English, 中文, Español, Tiếng Việt
Legal basis
Cal. Penal Code §§834-851; §835a; §490.5(f); BPC §7583.6; 16 CCR §628; SB 652 (2026)
Official source

RBS Alcohol Server

Exam
California ABC Responsible Beverage Service certification exam
Board / issuer
California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC)
Length & format
40 multiple-choice questions; 70%+ to pass (varies by provider); retakes free
Passing score
70%
Cost
$3-$30 (training + exam from ABC-approved provider)
Validity
3 years
Languages offered
English, 中文, Español, Tiếng Việt
Legal basis
BPC §§25600-25761; AB 1221 (2021); Title 4 CCR §165; BPC §25602 (sale to obviously intoxicated); §25658 (sale to minor); §25660 (acceptable IDs)
Official source

EPA 608 Technician

Exam
EPA Section 608 Technician Certification Exam (Core, Type I, Type II, Type III / Universal)
Board / issuer
Administered by EPA-approved certifying organizations (e.g., ESCO Institute, Mainstream Engineering, HVAC Excellence) under U.S. EPA oversight
Length & format
Core plus each Type has 25 multiple-choice questions; Universal requires all four sections (100 questions total)
Passing score
70%
Cost
About $20-$100 depending on provider and sections taken (a Universal sitting runs roughly $65 online)
Validity
Does not expire — the certification is valid for life
Languages offered
English, Español
Legal basis
Clean Air Act Section 608; 40 CFR Part 82 Subpart F
Official source
official page ↗

NYC Food Protection

Exam
New York City Food Protection Certificate Exam
Board / issuer
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)
Length & format
Proctored in-person final exam at the Health Academy (official question count and passing score not published by DOHMH)
Passing score
Cost
$24 exam (+$0.60 card fee); free online course
Validity
Certificate does not expire, but a certified supervisor must be present whenever the establishment is open
Languages offered
English, Español
Legal basis
NYC Health Code Article 81
Official source
official page ↗

Life & Health Insurance License

Exam
California Life & Accident-Health Agent License
Board / issuer
California Department of Insurance (CDI)
Length & format
~150 questions, ~3 hours, 60% passing score
Passing score
60%
Cost
$229 application fee + ~$54 PSI exam fee (2025)
Validity
License valid 2 years (renewable with continuing education)
Languages offered
English, 中文, Español
Legal basis
California Insurance Code §1631+; AB 451 mandates exam in EN/ES/VI/ZH/KO
Official source

Property & Casualty Insurance License

Exam
California Property & Casualty Broker-Agent License
Board / issuer
California Department of Insurance (CDI)
Length & format
~150 questions, ~3 hours, 60% passing score
Passing score
60%
Cost
$229 application fee + ~$54 PSI exam fee + Live Scan
Validity
License valid 2 years (renewable)
Languages offered
English, 中文, Español
Legal basis
California Insurance Code §1631+; AB 451 mandates EN/ES/VI/ZH/KO
Official source

Personal Lines Insurance License

Exam
California Personal Lines Broker-Agent License
Board / issuer
California Department of Insurance (CDI)
Length & format
~100 questions, ~2.5 hours, 60% passing score
Passing score
60%
Cost
$229 application fee + ~$54 PSI exam fee + Live Scan
Validity
License valid 2 years (renewable)
Languages offered
English, 中文, Español
Legal basis
California Insurance Code §1631+; AB 451 mandates EN/ES/VI/ZH/KO
Official source
Free practice questions in English, 中文 & Español · PrepPass.org · cheat sheets