Licensed fencing contractor installing an ornamental iron fence

Become a Licensed C-13 Fencing Contractor

The C-13 Fencing classification covers all types of fences, gates, railings, and barriers, chain-link, wood, wrought iron, and more, for residential, commercial, and recreational properties in California.

View Exam Prep Programs

Requirements

Minimum age: 18+ is CSLB's normal applicant path. A minor may qualify only after a court appoints a guardian (BPC §7065.5)
Experience required: 4 full-time-equivalent years of journey-level experience within the past 10 years; CSLB prorates part-time work
Contractor bond: $25,000

About the Exam

Exam format: 2 parts (Law & Business + Trade)
Law & Business exam: 115 questions
School-observed scores: 65% Law / 65% Trade; not published as fixed by CSLB
Application fee: $450

License renews every 2 years. Governing code: CCR §832.13

About this classification

What does a C-13 Fencing contractor do?

Under the California Code of Regulations (Title 16, §832.13), a C-13 Fencing Contractor constructs, erects, alters, or repairs all types of fences, corrals, runs, railings, cribs, game-court enclosures, guard rails and barriers, playground game equipment, backstops, posts, flagpoles, and gates, excluding masonry walls. This means a C-13 contractor handles the full range of fencing and barrier work other than masonry.

Fencing is a steady specialty driven by property security, privacy, livestock, and recreational needs across California. Licensed C-13 contractors install chain-link security fencing, wood privacy fences, wrought-iron and ornamental fencing, sport-court enclosures, guard rails, flagpoles, and access gates.

Official source: CSLB C-13 classification · CSLB fee schedule Last reviewed: March 2026

Scope of work

Chain-link security and perimeter fencing
Wood privacy and decorative fencing
Wrought-iron and ornamental metal fencing and gates
Vinyl and composite fencing systems
Sport-court and game-court enclosures
Guard rails, barriers, and backstops
Corrals, runs, and agricultural fencing
Flagpoles and post installation
Vehicle access and swing/slide gates
Fence repair, alteration, and replacement

High-demand specialties

Security & Perimeter, Commercial chain-link and anti-climb fencing for industrial sites
Ornamental Iron, Wrought-iron fences and decorative gates for residential markets
Access Gates, Manual and automated vehicle gates for driveways and facilities
Sport & Recreation, Game-court enclosures, backstops, and playground barriers

Important notes

A C-13 contractor can install fences, railings, barriers, flagpoles, and access gates of all types, wood, metal, chain-link, and vinyl.
A C-13 contractor cannot build masonry walls, block, brick, and stone walls are explicitly excluded from the C-13 and belong to the C-29 (Masonry) classification. A fence contractor who also builds masonry walls needs the C-29.
A C-13 contractor installs the gate, but the low-voltage wiring and electronic access control for automated gates may require the C-7 (Low Voltage) or C-28 (Lock and Security Equipment) classification depending on the system.
Projects over $1,000 (labor and materials combined) require a contractor license. A $25,000 contractor bond is required to activate the license; workers' compensation coverage is required once you have employees (sole owners with no employees may file an exemption, BPC §7125(b)).

The CSLB exam

What's on the C-13 Fencing exam?

California requires you to pass a two-part CSLB exam: the Law & Business exam (the same for every classification) and the C-13 Fencing trade exam. CSLS has observed scores of 65% for Law & Business and 65% for the C-13 trade exam. CSLB does not publish fixed passing scores and may vary them by exam version.

Law & Business

Same for all classifications

115 questions, multiple choice, computer-based
3.5 hours allotted
Topics: California contractor law, business management, safety, estimating, project management

C-13 Trade Exam

Fencing-specific

about 100 questions, multiple choice, computer-based
3.5 hours allotted
Topics: fence types and materials, post setting and footings, gates and hardware, layout, estimating, safety, blueprint reading

How to Get Your C-13 Fencing License

Step 1

Qualify

18+ is CSLB's normal applicant path. A minor may qualify only after a court appoints a guardian (BPC §7065.5). You also need a valid SSN/ITIN and 4 full-time-equivalent years of journey-level fencing experience within the past 10 years; CSLB prorates part-time work. Up to 3 years may be substituted with approved education or apprenticeship.

Step 2

Apply to CSLB

Submit your application, get fingerprinted, and pay the $450 application fee. Processing times vary; check the CSLB's current processing times.

Step 3

Study & Prepare

Prepare for both exam parts, on your own or with a CSLS exam prep program. 99% of CSLS students pass on their first try, backed by our 100% Money-Back Guarantee.

Compare programs

Step 4

Pass the Exam

Two parts: Law & Business (115q, 3.5 hrs) + C-13 Trade. Multiple choice, computer-based. CSLS has observed scores of 65% Law & Business / 65% C-13 Trade; CSLB does not publish fixed passing scores and may vary them by exam version.

Step 5

Get Licensed

Post your $25,000 contractor bond, pay the $200 license fee, and receive your C-13 license. You're officially in business.

Step 1

Qualify

Step 2

Apply to CSLB

Submit your application, get fingerprinted, and pay the $450 application fee. Processing times vary; check the CSLB's current processing times.

Step 3

Study & Prepare

Prepare for both exam parts, on your own or with a CSLS exam prep program. 99% of CSLS students pass on their first try, backed by our 100% Money-Back Guarantee.

Compare programs

Step 4

Pass the Exam

Step 5

Get Licensed

Post your $25,000 contractor bond, pay the $200 license fee, and receive your C-13 license. You're officially in business.

Exam Prep Programs

Compare C-13 Fencing Exam Prep Programs

Every program prepares you for the required CSLB exam for C-13 Fencing. Our 99% first-time pass rate is backed by the 100% Money-Back Guarantee on eligible programs.

Feature-by-feature comparison of all four CSLS exam prep programs
Features	Most Popular All-Inclusive C-13 Fencing $1,195.00 Value: $2,500	Live Online C-13 Fencing $695.00 Value: $995	Crash Course C-13 Fencing $495.00 Value: $695	Home Study C-13 Fencing $295.00 Value: $395
Best For	Comprehensive prep with maximum support	Remote learners wanting live instruction	Experienced pros with an exam date soon	Self-directed independent learners
Law & Business Classes	4 Classes + Full-Day Review	4 Live Online + Review	Full-Day Review Only	Not included
Trade Math Training	6-Month Interactive + Review	Online Video Review	30-Day Interactive Course	Not included
Test-Taking Skills Seminar	6-Month Online Course	2-Month Online Course	Not included	Not included
Law & Business Materials	Online; binder add-on available	Online; binder add-on available	Online; binder add-on available	Online; binder add-on available
Trade-Specific Materials	Online; binder add-on available	Online; binder add-on available	Online; binder add-on available	Online; binder add-on available
Study Materials	Full Online Suite	Online Materials + Audio/Video	Online + Audio/Video	Online + Audio
Online Videos	Full Suite: L&B, Trade, H&S, Math	Audio + H&S + Math Videos	Audio + H&S + Math Videos	L&B Audio + H&S Video
Law & Business Practice Exams	6 Months	2 Months	30 Days	30 Days
Trade Practice Exams	6 Months	2 Months	30 Days	30 Days
School Location Access	25+ Locations	25+ Locations	25+ Locations	Self-Study Only
Application Assistance	Preparation & Review	Review Only	Review Only	Not included
Money-Back Guarantee	Included	Included	Included	Not included
Bond Fee Discount	50% off first-year bond, up to $120	Not included	Not included	Not included
Retail Value	$2,500	$995	$695	$395
Choose a program	Get All-Inclusive	Get Live Online	Get Crash Course	Get Home Study

Not sure which fits? Call 800-809-6463. Prices and inclusions are subject to change.

Halloween

Halloween Promo 2026

$1,449.00 $795.00

Offer ends in

Days

Hours

Min

Sec

This offer has ended.

Valid through 8:30 am PST, November 2, 2026.

Get this bundle View offer details

What our Fencing students say

See verified student reviews

Allow Analytics to load reviews here, or read them directly on Google.

Read our Google reviews

Student Wins

Recent Contractor Exam Schools graduates

Meet the tradespeople who put in the work, passed their exams, and earned their California contractor's licenses.

See our latest graduate wins

Allow Instagram to see recent graduate photos.

Follow more student wins at @contractorexamschools.

Free Resources

Try a free C-13 Fencing practice exam

Test your knowledge with a free 40-question practice exam and get 14 days of online access.
No credit card required.

Common Questions

C-13 Fencing license FAQ

The C-13 (Fencing) covers fences, gates, railings, and barriers of all types, except masonry walls, which are specifically excluded. The C-29 (Masonry) covers block, brick, and stone walls and fences. If you build a chain-link, wood, vinyl, or iron fence, that is the C-13; if you lay up a block or stone wall, that is the C-29. A contractor who does both needs both classifications.

No. Masonry walls are explicitly excluded from the C-13 classification. Block, brick, and stone walls require the C-29 (Masonry) classification. The C-13 covers fencing built from wood, metal, chain-link, and vinyl, plus railings, barriers, and gates, but not masonry construction.

Yes, any fencing project over $1,000 (labor and materials combined) requires a licensed contractor. Under Business and Professions Code §7031, an unlicensed contractor cannot sue to collect payment for the work. The C-13 lets you legally take on commercial perimeter, access-gate, and larger residential fencing contracts.

Plan on roughly $885 in mandatory costs before exam prep: a $450 application fee (covers both exams), $200 initial license issuance, about $150 for the first-year premium on your $25,000 contractor bond, and about $85 for fingerprinting. Workers' compensation coverage is also required once you employ a crew.

From application to license-in-hand, typically 2–4 months. That includes CSLB processing (2–4 weeks), scheduling and passing both exams, and posting your $25,000 bond. With CSLS exam prep, most fencing students are exam-ready in 4–6 weeks.

4 full-time-equivalent years of journey-level fencing experience within the past 10 years; CSLB prorates part-time work. Qualifying work may be as a journeyperson, foreperson, supervising employee, contractor, or owner-builder. Up to three of those years can be satisfied with approved technical training, apprenticeship, or education in the trade.

A C-13 contractor installs the gate itself, the leaf, posts, track, and hardware. The low-voltage wiring and electronic access-control system that automate the gate may require the C-7 (Low Voltage Systems) or C-28 (Lock and Security Equipment) classification, depending on the operator and controls. Many fence contractors hold one of those alongside the C-13 to offer complete automated-gate installs.

The C-13 trade exam is a multiple-choice test covering fence types and materials, post setting and footings, gates and hardware, layout, estimating, and safety. You need the current version-specific CSLB passing score to pass, plus the separate Law and Business exam. With CSLS exam prep, 99% of students pass on their first attempt, backed by our 100% Money-Back Guarantee.

Since 1985

40+ Years

200,000+

Students Licensed

99% Pass Rate

First-Time

100% Money-Back Guarantee

Tuition Refund

Become a Licensed C-13 Fencing Contractor

What does a C-13 Fencing contractor do?

Scope of work

High-demand specialties

Important notes

What's on the C-13 Fencing exam?

Law & Business

C-13 Trade Exam

How to Get Your C-13 Fencing License

Qualify

Apply to CSLB

Study & Prepare

Pass the Exam

Get Licensed

Qualify

Apply to CSLB

Study & Prepare

Pass the Exam

Get Licensed

Compare C-13 Fencing Exam Prep Programs

Halloween Promo 2026

What our Fencing students say

See verified student reviews

Recent Contractor Exam Schools graduates

See our latest graduate wins

Try a free C-13 Fencing practice exam

C-13 Fencing license FAQ

Ready to get your C-13 Fencing license?

Select Your Trade Classification

Exam Prep Programs, Side by Side