Blog

If you want to operate a professional painting and decorating business in California, you'll need to obtain a C-33 painting and decorating contractor license through the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). This license allows you to legally perform residential, commercial, and industrial painting. It also covers coating and surface-finishing work.

California is known for tightly regulating licensed professionals. Performing painting and decorating work without having the appropriate license can result in heavy fines or other penalties. Here's how to obtain your C-33 license so you can do your work lawfully.

What the C-33 License Covers

The C-33 classification applies to contractors who prepare and finish surfaces using:

• Paint
• Coatings
• Stains
• Sealants

The license covers both interior and exterior work, as well as surface preparation activities such as:

• Sanding
• Scraping
• Pressure washing
• Priming

If you plan to contract directly with clients for painting projects valued at more than $500 (labor and materials combined), a license is required.

You must also submit fingerprints for a background check as part of your license application. California requires you to obtain a contractor license bond to protect consumers if you fail to meet your contractual obligations.

Experience Requirements

Before you can apply for your C-33 exam, you must obtain at least four years of journey-level experience. California allows you to substitute up to three years of the journey-level work experience for apprenticeship training, education, or a four-year degree from an accredited college. To qualify, the degree must be in a field of interior design.

The experience must be verifiable. For example, if you worked under a C-33 license holder, the state of California will need references so it can verify your work history.

Application and Fees

After you've confirmed that you meet the minimum experience requirements, you will have to apply for your license through the CSLB. Fees include the following:

• Original Application: $450
• Initial License Fee: $200
• Fingerprinting Fees: $32
• FBI Processing Fee: $17

Plan to spend approximately $700 or more for your initial licensing process. The original application fee includes a waiver for one exam. 

Required Exams

In California, you are required to pass two separate exams:

• The California Law and Business Exams
• The C-33 Exam

The Law and Business Exam covers contracts, safety regulations, and employment laws. The trade exam focuses on painting techniques, surface prep, and coatings. You must pass both exams before your license is issued. If you pass one exam and not the other, you will only have to retake the one that you did not pass.

Set Yourself Up for Success

Once you've acquired the necessary experience, you can sit for your C-33 exam. You will also need to take your California Law and Business Exam. Investing in online prep courses will increase your odds of success and set you up to pass on your first attempt.

RocketCert offers online prep bundles for the C-33 and California Law and Business Exams. Order your prep courses today, and begin the process to obtain your C-33 painting & decorating contractor license in California.