Drywall contractor hanging and finishing gypsum wallboard

Become a Licensed C-9 Drywall Contractor

The C-9 Drywall license covers gypsum wallboard from start to finish, hanging, taping, texturing, and the nonstructural metal framing that supports it.

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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 / 70% Trade; not published as fixed by CSLB
Application fee: $450

License renews every 2 years. Governing code: CCR §832.09

About this classification

What does a C-9 Drywall contractor do?

Under California Code of Regulations Title 16, §832.09, a C-9 Drywall Contractor "lays out and installs gypsum wall board…including nonstructural metal framing members, and performs the taping and texturing operations." It is the complete dry-wall package, frame, board, and finish.

The C-9 is the drywall specialist's license. C-9 contractors hang gypsum board, install the nonstructural metal stud framing that carries it, and finish the surface with taping, mudding, and texture to a paint-ready state.

The scope runs the full range of drywall work, standard, moisture-resistant, and fire-rated assemblies; Level-5 smooth finishes; patch and refinish work; and the nonstructural metal framing that supports the board.

Official source: CSLB C-9 classification · CSLB fee schedule Last reviewed: March 2026

Scope of work

Hanging gypsum wallboard (drywall)
Nonstructural metal stud framing
Taping, mudding, and joint finishing
Texturing and Level-5 smooth finishes
Fire-rated wall and ceiling assemblies
Moisture-resistant board installation
Drywall patch and refinish work
Ceiling board installation

Important notes

C-9 vs. C-35: the C-9 covers dry gypsum wallboard, hung, taped, and textured. The C-35 (Lathing and Plastering) covers wet plaster and stucco over lath. Gypsum board is C-9; wet plaster is C-35.
A C-9 contractor can install nonstructural metal stud framing to support drywall, but cannot perform structural framing, that is C-5 work.
A C-9 contractor cannot apply wet plaster or stucco, and cannot install acoustical ceiling tile as a primary trade, that falls under the C-2 (Insulation and Acoustical) 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 CSLB exam

What's on the C-9 Drywall exam?

California requires you to pass a two-part CSLB exam: the Law & Business exam (the same for every classification) and the C-9 Drywall trade exam. CSLS has observed scores of 65% for Law & Business and 70% for the C-9 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-9 Trade Exam

Drywall-specific

about 115 questions, multiple choice, computer-based
3.5 hours allotted
Topics: drywall layout and installation, nonstructural metal framing, taping and texturing, fire-rated assemblies, finishing levels, blueprint reading, building codes

How to Get Your C-9 Drywall 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 drywall installation and finishing 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-9 Trade. Multiple choice, computer-based. CSLS has observed scores of 65% Law & Business / 70% C-9 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-9 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-9 license. You're officially in business.

Exam Prep Programs

Compare C-9 Drywall Exam Prep Programs

Every program prepares you for the required CSLB exam for C-9 Drywall. 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-9 Drywall $1,195.00 Value: $2,500	Live Online C-9 Drywall $695.00 Value: $995	Crash Course C-9 Drywall $495.00 Value: $695	Home Study C-9 Drywall $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-9 Drywall license FAQ

The C-9 (Drywall) covers dry gypsum wallboard, hanging, taping, and texturing, plus the nonstructural metal framing that supports it. The C-35 (Lathing and Plastering) covers wet materials, sand, gypsum, lime, and cement plaster, including stucco, applied over lath. If you hang and finish drywall, you need the C-9; if you apply wet plaster or stucco, you need the C-35.

A C-9 contractor lays out and hangs gypsum wallboard, installs the nonstructural metal stud framing that carries it, and finishes the surface with taping, mudding, and texture. The scope includes standard, moisture-resistant, and fire-rated assemblies, Level-5 smooth finishes, and patch and refinish work.

A C-9 contractor can install nonstructural metal stud framing, the framing that supports drywall. But structural, load-bearing metal or wood framing is not part of the C-9; that requires the C-5 (Framing) or, for structural steel, the C-51. The C-9 metal framing is limited to nonstructural drywall support.

Drywall ceilings and fire-rated ceiling assemblies are within the C-9 scope. But suspended acoustical ceiling tile, as a primary trade, falls under the C-2 (Insulation and Acoustical) classification. If acoustical tile is your main business, the C-2 is the right license.

4 full-time-equivalent years of journey-level drywall installation and finishing 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 drywall pros 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-9 trade exam covers drywall layout and installation, nonstructural metal framing, taping and texturing, fire-rated assemblies, and finishing levels. 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-9 Drywall Contractor

What does a C-9 Drywall contractor do?

Scope of work

Important notes

What's on the C-9 Drywall exam?

Law & Business

C-9 Trade Exam

How to Get Your C-9 Drywall 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-9 Drywall Exam Prep Programs

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What our Drywall students say

See verified student reviews

Recent Contractor Exam Schools graduates

See our latest graduate wins

Try a free C-9 Drywall practice exam

C-9 Drywall license FAQ

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