Ironworker tying a rebar cage for a concrete foundation

Become a Licensed C-50 Reinforcing Steel Contractor

The C-50 Reinforcing Steel classification covers the ironworkers who fabricate, place, and tie the rebar and mesh that give California's concrete its strength.

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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 / 65% Trade; not published as fixed by CSLB
Application fee: $450

License renews every 2 years. Governing code: CCR §832.50

About this classification

What does a C-50 Reinforcing Steel contractor do?

Under California Code of Regulations (Title 16, §832.50), a C-50 Reinforcing Steel Contractor "fabricates, places and ties steel mesh or steel reinforcing bars (rods), of any profile, perimeter, or cross-section, that are or may be used to reinforce concrete structures." This license allows you to build, place, and tie the rebar cages and mesh that reinforce concrete.

The C-50 is the rebar specialty that pairs with poured concrete. C-50 contractors fabricate and tie reinforcing for foundations, walls, columns, beams, parking structures, and slabs, including post-tensioning and shotcrete-shell reinforcing.

Official source: CSLB C-50 classification · CSLB fee schedule Last reviewed: March 2026

Scope of work

Fabricating, placing, and tying steel reinforcing bars (rebar)
Installing welded wire mesh in slabs
Rebar cages for footings and foundations
Reinforcing for columns, beams, and walls
Reinforcing steel for parking and structural decks
Post-tensioning tendon placement
Shotcrete and gunite shell reinforcing (pools, walls)
Bending, cutting, and detailing reinforcing bar

Important notes

Placing and tying rebar is C-50 work specifically because the C-8 (Concrete) classification excludes erecting reinforcing steel, a concrete contractor who self-performs rebar needs the C-50 in addition to the C-8.
The C-50 covers reinforcing steel inside concrete; fabricating and erecting structural steel shapes and plates (beams, columns, frames) is C-51 (Structural Steel) work.
A C-50 contractor reinforces concrete but does not pour or finish it, that flatwork and forming is C-8 (Concrete) scope.
On large fixed-works infrastructure, reinforcing may also fall to an A (General Engineering) prime, but the reinforcing-steel trade itself is the C-50.
Projects over $1,000 (labor and materials combined) require a license, and all licensees must carry workers' compensation coverage.

The CSLB exam

What's on the C-50 Reinforcing Steel exam?

California requires you to pass a two-part CSLB exam: the Law & Business exam (the same for every classification) and the C-50 Reinforcing Steel trade exam. CSLS has observed scores of 65% for Law & Business and 65% for the C-50 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-50 Trade Exam

Reinforcing Steel-specific

about 100 questions, multiple choice, computer-based
3.5 hours allotted
Topics: rebar detailing and placement, bar bending and lap splices, mesh installation, post-tensioning, reinforcement codes, blueprint reading, rigging and safety

How to Get Your C-50 Reinforcing Steel 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 reinforcing steel 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-50 Trade. Multiple choice, computer-based. CSLS has observed scores of 65% Law & Business / 65% C-50 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-50 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-50 license. You're officially in business.

Exam Prep Programs

Compare C-50 Reinforcing Steel Exam Prep Programs

Every program prepares you for the required CSLB exam for C-50 Reinforcing Steel. 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-50 Reinforcing Steel $1,195.00 Value: $2,500	Live Online C-50 Reinforcing Steel $695.00 Value: $995	Crash Course C-50 Reinforcing Steel $495.00 Value: $695	Home Study C-50 Reinforcing Steel $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-50 Reinforcing Steel license FAQ

The C-50 (Reinforcing Steel) license covers fabricating, placing, and tying the rebar and mesh that reinforce concrete. The C-8 (Concrete) license covers forming, pouring, and finishing the concrete itself. The C-8 regulation specifically excludes placing rebar, so a contractor who self-performs both the steel and the pour needs the C-50 alongside the C-8, or subs the rebar to a C-50 holder.

The C-50 (Reinforcing Steel) covers the rebar and mesh embedded inside concrete. The C-51 (Structural Steel) covers fabricating and erecting structural steel shapes and plates, beams, columns, and frames used as structural members. Rebar that disappears into a concrete pour is C-50; the visible steel skeleton of a building is C-51.

No. The C-50 covers reinforcing steel only. Forming, placing, and finishing the concrete is C-8 (Concrete) work. Contractors who do both typically hold both the C-50 and C-8 licenses, or partner with the other trade on a project.

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

Most applicants reach license-in-hand in 2–4 months, including CSLB processing, both exams, and posting the bond. With CSLS exam prep, most students are exam-ready in 4–6 weeks.

The C-50 trade exam is multiple-choice and covers rebar detailing and placement, bar bending and lap splices, mesh installation, post-tensioning, and reinforcement 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.

4 full-time-equivalent years of journey-level reinforcing steel 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 met with approved technical training, apprenticeship, or education.

Since 1985

40+ Years

200,000+

Students Licensed

99% Pass Rate

First-Time

100% Money-Back Guarantee

Tuition Refund

Become a Licensed C-50 Reinforcing Steel Contractor

What does a C-50 Reinforcing Steel contractor do?

Scope of work

Important notes

What's on the C-50 Reinforcing Steel exam?

Law & Business

C-50 Trade Exam

How to Get Your C-50 Reinforcing Steel 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-50 Reinforcing Steel Exam Prep Programs

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What our Reinforcing Steel students say

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Recent Contractor Exam Schools graduates

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Try a free C-50 Reinforcing Steel practice exam

C-50 Reinforcing Steel license FAQ

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