Finish carpenter installing custom cabinets and trim

Become a Licensed C-6 Cabinet, Millwork & Finish Carpentry Contractor

The C-6 Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry license covers the detailed, finished woodwork of a building, cabinets, trim, doors, built-ins, and custom millwork.

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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 §832.06

About this classification

What does a C-6 Cabinet, Millwork & Finish Carpentry contractor do?

Under California Code of Regulations Title 16, §832.06, a C-6 Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry Contractor "fabricates and installs cabinets, cases, sashes, doors, trims, nonbearing partitions and other items" by cutting, surfacing, joining, and gluing wood and other materials.

The C-6 is the finish carpenter's license, the trade that turns a framed building into a finished interior. C-6 contractors build and install custom cabinetry, doors and trim, baseboards and crown molding, built-ins, and commercial millwork.

The scope is the precision, finished side of carpentry. It covers non-bearing partition walls and the fabrication of cases, sashes, and trim, but not the structural framing that supports the building, that is the C-5 (Framing) trade.

Official source: CSLB C-6 classification · CSLB fee schedule Last reviewed: March 2026

Scope of work

Custom kitchen and bath cabinets
Interior doors, frames, and casing
Baseboards, crown molding, and trim
Built-in cabinetry and shelving
Commercial and architectural millwork
Cases, sashes, and finished woodwork
Non-bearing partition walls
Wood paneling and wainscoting
Cutting, surfacing, joining, and gluing of wood and other materials

Important notes

C-6 vs. C-5: the C-6 covers finish carpentry and millwork (cabinets, trim, doors, non-bearing partitions); the C-5 covers rough structural carpentry (framing, formwork, sheathing). Finished, non-structural woodwork is C-6.
A C-6 contractor can build non-bearing partition walls, but cannot perform structural framing or load-bearing carpentry, that requires the C-5.
A C-6 contractor cannot take a multi-trade building project as prime, that requires the B (General Building) license.
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 C-6 was separated from the old combined C-5 classification, so today it stands alone for finish carpentry and millwork.

The CSLB exam

What's on the C-6 Cabinet, Millwork & Finish Carpentry exam?

California requires you to pass a two-part CSLB exam: the Law & Business exam (the same for every classification) and the C-6 Cabinet, Millwork & Finish Carpentry trade exam. CSLS has observed scores of 65% for Law & Business and 69% for the C-6 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-6 Trade Exam

Cabinet, Millwork & Finish Carpentry-specific

about 115 questions, multiple choice, computer-based
3.5 hours allotted
Topics: cabinet and casework fabrication, millwork, finish carpentry, door and trim installation, joinery and materials, blueprint reading, non-bearing partitions

How to Get Your C-6 Cabinet, Millwork & Finish 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 cabinet, millwork, and finish 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.

Compare programs

Step 4

Pass the Exam

Two parts: Law & Business (115q, 3.5 hrs) + C-6 Trade. Multiple choice, computer-based. CSLS has observed scores of 65% Law & Business / 69% C-6 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-6 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-6 license. You're officially in business.

Exam Prep Programs

Compare C-6 Cabinet, Millwork & Finish Carpentry Exam Prep Programs

Every program prepares you for the required CSLB exam for C-6 Cabinet, Millwork & Finish 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-6 Cabinet, Millwork & Finish Carpentry $1,195.00 Value: $2,500	Live Online C-6 Cabinet, Millwork & Finish Carpentry $695.00 Value: $995	Crash Course C-6 Cabinet, Millwork & Finish Carpentry $495.00 Value: $695	Home Study C-6 Cabinet, Millwork & Finish 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-6 Cabinet, Millwork & Finish Carpentry license FAQ

The C-6 (Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry) covers finished, non-structural woodwork, cabinets, trim, interior doors, built-ins, and non-bearing partitions. The C-5 (Framing and Rough Carpentry) covers the structural skeleton, wall, floor, and roof framing, trusses, and formwork. Finish work is C-6; rough structural work is C-5. The two were once a single classification before being split.

A C-6 contractor fabricates and installs custom cabinets, interior doors and frames, baseboards and crown molding, built-ins, commercial millwork, wood paneling, and non-bearing partition walls. The trade covers cutting, surfacing, joining, and gluing wood and other materials into finished items.

A C-6 contractor can build non-bearing partition walls, which fall within the finish-carpentry scope. But structural, load-bearing framing is not part of the C-6, that requires the C-5 (Framing and Rough Carpentry) license. If a wall carries structural load, it is C-5 work.

If the cabinet or millwork work is on a project over $1,000 (labor and materials combined), you need a license, and the C-6 is the classification that covers cabinet, millwork, and finish carpentry. Below that threshold, with no permit required, no advertising as a contractor, and no employees, the work may be exempt (BPC §7048), but most contracted jobs require the license.

4 full-time-equivalent years of journey-level cabinet, millwork, and finish 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 finish carpenters are exam-ready in 4–6 weeks.

The C-6 trade exam covers cabinet and casework fabrication, millwork, door and trim installation, joinery, materials, and blueprint reading. 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-6 Cabinet, Millwork & Finish Carpentry Contractor

What does a C-6 Cabinet, Millwork & Finish Carpentry contractor do?

Scope of work

Important notes

What's on the C-6 Cabinet, Millwork & Finish Carpentry exam?

Law & Business

C-6 Trade Exam

How to Get Your C-6 Cabinet, Millwork & Finish 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-6 Cabinet, Millwork & Finish Carpentry Exam Prep Programs

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C-6 Cabinet, Millwork & Finish Carpentry license FAQ

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