CSLB Quick Facts

License required for jobs over
$1,000
Minimum contractor bond
$25,000
Journey-level experience
4 years
Current exam passing scores
School-observed: 65% for Law & Business and 63% to 71% for trade exams; CSLB does not publish fixed passing scores

The CSLB oversees 46 contractor classifications in California.

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Asbestos abatement contractor in protective gear inside a containment enclosure

Become a Licensed C-22 Asbestos Abatement Contractor

The C-22 Asbestos Abatement classification is the full license for contractors whose principal business is removing, containing, and encapsulating asbestos in buildings, a tightly regulated, registration-required specialty.

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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 / 69% Trade; not published as fixed by CSLB
Application fee
$450

License renews every 2 years. Governing code: CCR §832.22

About this classification

What does a C-22 Asbestos Abatement contractor do?

A C-22 Asbestos Abatement Contractor performs the abatement of asbestos-containing construction materials, including containment, encapsulation, removal, and disposal, in compliance with Cal/OSHA (DOSH) requirements. The C-22 is a full stand-alone license whose principal business is asbestos work.

Under the California Code of Regulations (Title 16, §832.22), a C-22 contractor performs "the abatement, including containment, encapsulation, or removal, and disposal of asbestos containing construction materials." Before doing this work, the contractor must hold DOSH (Cal/OSHA) asbestos-abatement registration under Labor Code §6501.5.

Official source: CSLB C-22 classification · CSLB fee schedule Last reviewed: March 2026

Scope of work

  • Asbestos floor tile and mastic removal
  • Pipe-insulation removal and encapsulation
  • Acoustic "popcorn" ceiling abatement
  • Ceiling-tile and drywall asbestos removal
  • Asbestos siding containment and disposal
  • Asbestos roofing material removal
  • Containment and negative-air enclosures
  • Encapsulation of asbestos-containing materials

Important notes

  • The C-22 requires DOSH (Cal/OSHA) registration under Labor Code §6501.5 and Title 8 §1529 worker training before any abatement work begins, the license alone is not enough.
  • A C-22 covers building asbestos; soil contamination, underground storage tanks, and site remediation are the HAZ (Hazardous Substance Removal) certification.
  • A C-22 holder does not also need the ASB certification, the full license already covers asbestos work; ASB is for adding incidental asbestos work to other licenses.
  • California requires a license for any abatement contract over $1,000 (labor and materials combined), and workers' compensation coverage is now mandatory for all licensees.

The CSLB exam

What's on the C-22 Asbestos Abatement exam?

California requires you to pass a two-part CSLB exam: the Law & Business exam (the same for every classification) and the C-22 Asbestos Abatement trade exam. CSLS has observed scores of 65% for Law & Business and 69% for the C-22 trade exam. CSLB does not publish fixed passing scores and may vary them by exam version.

1

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
2

C-22 Trade Exam

Asbestos Abatement-specific

  • about 100 questions, multiple choice, computer-based
  • 3.5 hours allotted
  • Topics: asbestos regulations (Cal/OSHA, EPA), containment and negative-air systems, encapsulation and removal methods, worker protection, waste handling and disposal, air monitoring

How to Get Your C-22 Asbestos Abatement 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 asbestos abatement 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.

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Step 4

Pass the Exam

Two parts: Law & Business (115q, 3.5 hrs) + C-22 Trade. Multiple choice, computer-based. CSLS has observed scores of 65% Law & Business / 69% C-22 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-22 license. You're officially in business.

Exam Prep Programs

Compare C-22 Asbestos Abatement Exam Prep Programs

Every program prepares you for the required CSLB exam for C-22 Asbestos Abatement. 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-22 Asbestos Abatement $1,195.00 Value: $2,500 Live Online C-22 Asbestos Abatement $695.00 Value: $995 Crash Course C-22 Asbestos Abatement $495.00 Value: $695 Home Study C-22 Asbestos Abatement $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

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Free Resources

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Common Questions

C-22 Asbestos Abatement license FAQ

The C-22 is a full stand-alone contractor license for contractors whose principal business is asbestos abatement. The ASB is a certification added to an existing license, required when a contractor performs 100 square feet or more of incidental asbestos work. A C-22 holder does not also need the ASB, the full license already covers the work.
The C-22 covers asbestos in buildings, floor tile, pipe insulation, popcorn ceilings, and siding. The HAZ (Hazardous Substance Removal) certification covers contaminated soil, underground storage tanks, and site remediation. Building asbestos is C-22; soil and UST contamination is HAZ.
Yes. Before performing asbestos abatement, a C-22 contractor must register with DOSH (Cal/OSHA) under Labor Code §6501.5, and workers must complete Title 8 §1529 training. The contractor license and the DOSH registration are separate requirements, and both must be in place before you start abatement work.
Most students are exam-ready in 4–6 weeks of CSLS prep. Adding CSLB application processing (typically 2–4 weeks), exam scheduling, posting your $25,000 bond, and securing DOSH registration, the full path usually runs 2–4 months from start to license-in-hand.
4 full-time-equivalent years of journey-level asbestos abatement 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. This can include work as a journeyman, foreman, or supervising employee. Up to three years can be satisfied with approved technical training, apprenticeship, or education.
The C-22 trade exam covers asbestos regulations, containment and negative-air systems, encapsulation and removal methods, worker protection, and waste disposal. You need the current version-specific CSLB passing score to pass. With CSLS exam prep, 99% of students pass on their first attempt, backed by our 100% Money-Back Guarantee.

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