Framing contractor building wood wall and roof structure

Become a Licensed C-5 Framing & Rough Carpentry Contractor

The C-5 Framing and Rough Carpentry license covers the structural skeleton of a building, walls, floors, roofs, trusses, and the formwork that shapes a project.

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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 / 67% Trade; not published as fixed by CSLB
Application fee: $450

License renews every 2 years. Governing code: CCR §832.05

About this classification

What does a C-5 Framing & Rough Carpentry contractor do?

Under California Code of Regulations Title 16, §832.05, a C-5 Framing and Rough Carpentry Contractor performs "any form work, framing or rough carpentry necessary to construct framed structures." This is the structural wood and form work that gives a building its shape and support.

The C-5 is the framing specialist's license. C-5 contractors build the load-bearing skeleton of homes and commercial buildings, wall and floor framing, roof structures, truss systems, sub-flooring, sheathing, and concrete formwork, before the finish trades arrive.

The scope covers the rough, structural side of carpentry. Sub-flooring, siding, exterior staircases and railings, overhead doors, roof decking, truss members, and sheathing all fall under the C-5, as does the formwork used to pour concrete foundations and walls.

Official source: CSLB C-5 classification · CSLB fee schedule Last reviewed: March 2026

Scope of work

Wall, floor, and roof framing
Truss systems and truss-member assembly
Sub-flooring and floor systems
Roof decking and sheathing
Concrete form work for foundations and walls
Siding and exterior sheathing
Exterior staircases and railings
Overhead and large structural doors
Structural blocking and bracing

Important notes

C-5 vs. C-6: the C-5 covers rough, structural carpentry (framing, formwork, sheathing); the C-6 covers finish carpentry and millwork (cabinets, trim, doors, interior partitions). Rough framing is C-5; finish work is C-6.
A C-5 contractor cannot take a multi-trade building project as prime, that requires the B (General Building) license, which may itself self-perform framing.
A C-5 contractor can perform the formwork and framing that are part of a structure, but pouring and finishing the concrete itself falls under the C-8 (Concrete) classification.
Projects over $1,000 (labor and materials combined) require a license. Workers' compensation coverage is required once you have employees; sole owners with no employees may file a no-employee exemption (BPC §7125(b)).
The combined C-5 was split into separate C-5 (framing) and C-6 (finish carpentry) classifications, so today's C-5 covers rough/structural work only.

The CSLB exam

What's on the C-5 Framing & Rough Carpentry exam?

California requires you to pass a two-part CSLB exam: the Law & Business exam (the same for every classification) and the C-5 Framing & Rough Carpentry trade exam. CSLS has observed scores of 65% for Law & Business and 67% for the C-5 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-5 Trade Exam

Framing & Rough Carpentry-specific

about 115 questions, multiple choice, computer-based
3.5 hours allotted
Topics: wood and structural framing, truss systems, formwork and concrete forms, sheathing and decking, blueprint reading, building codes, load and span basics

How to Get Your C-5 Framing & Rough Carpentry 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 framing and rough carpentry 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-5 Trade. Multiple choice, computer-based. CSLS has observed scores of 65% Law & Business / 67% C-5 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-5 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-5 license. You're officially in business.

Exam Prep Programs

Compare C-5 Framing & Rough Carpentry Exam Prep Programs

Every program prepares you for the required CSLB exam for C-5 Framing & Rough Carpentry. 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-5 Framing & Rough Carpentry $1,195.00 Value: $2,500	Live Online C-5 Framing & Rough Carpentry $695.00 Value: $995	Crash Course C-5 Framing & Rough Carpentry $495.00 Value: $695	Home Study C-5 Framing & Rough Carpentry $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.

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Common Questions

C-5 Framing & Rough Carpentry license FAQ

The C-5 (Framing and Rough Carpentry) covers the structural skeleton of a building, wall, floor, and roof framing, trusses, sheathing, and concrete formwork. The C-6 (Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry) covers the finish side, cabinets, trim, interior doors, and non-bearing partitions. Rough structural carpentry is C-5; finish carpentry is C-6. The two were once a single classification before being split.

A C-5 contractor performs framing and rough carpentry, wall, floor, and roof framing, truss systems, sub-flooring, roof decking, sheathing, siding, exterior stairs and railings, and the concrete formwork used to shape foundations and walls. It is the structural wood work that gives a building its shape before finish trades begin.

A C-5 contractor can build the formwork that shapes concrete foundations and walls, because formwork is rough carpentry. But pouring, placing, and finishing the concrete itself falls under the C-8 (Concrete) classification. If your business is mainly pouring concrete, you need the C-8.

4 full-time-equivalent years of journey-level framing and rough carpentry 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 years can be satisfied with approved technical training, apprenticeship, or education. CSLB requires you to document and verify this experience.

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

Plan for roughly $885 in CSLB and state costs before exam prep: a $450 application fee (covers both exams), $200 initial license issuance, about $150 for your first-year $25,000 bond premium, and about $85 for fingerprinting. Workers' compensation coverage is also required once you have employees (sole owners with no employees may file an exemption, BPC §7125(b)).

The C-5 trade exam covers wood and structural framing, truss systems, formwork, sheathing and decking, blueprint reading, and building codes. 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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Become a Licensed C-5 Framing & Rough Carpentry Contractor

What does a C-5 Framing & Rough Carpentry contractor do?

Scope of work

Important notes

What's on the C-5 Framing & Rough Carpentry exam?

Law & Business

C-5 Trade Exam

How to Get Your C-5 Framing & Rough Carpentry 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-5 Framing & Rough Carpentry Exam Prep Programs

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What our Framing & Rough Carpentry students say

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Recent Contractor Exam Schools graduates

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C-5 Framing & Rough Carpentry license FAQ

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