CSLB C-36 Plumbing Practice Test
Reviewed by Carlos Aldaba, CBO, Certified Building Official (ICC), Building Code & Permitting Consultant ·
Free questions for the California CSLB C-36 Plumbing contractor trade exam, built from the CSLB study guide and application, the CSLB fee list, California Government Code 4216, 40 CFR 143.12 and federal OSHA construction rules.
Adaptive Practice Test
15–20 Questions Drawn From 160
Every attempt is a new test: questions are drawn at random and the answer order is shuffled. Score 80% or more and your next test moves up a level; score under 50% and it eases back. Your level is saved only in this browser.
Your Level Foundation
How This Practice Test Works
- Each attempt draws 15–20 questions at random from our pool of 160 and shuffles the answer order. Score 80% or more and the next test moves up a difficulty level; under 50% and it eases back.
- After every answer you see an explanation and the CSLB reference behind it.
- We use 70% as a practice target. CSLB tells you the passing percentage at the test site. Aim for 80% or better here.
- There is no sign-up. Your level is saved only in this browser.
These are original questions written by our editorial team from the published CSLB. They are not real exam questions. Questions quote CSLB, California statute and eCFR text, not real CSLB exam items. Copyrighted plumbing code text is not reproduced.
What the Question Pool Covers
Every question cites the rule behind its answer. Counting those references shows where the pool puts its weight:
| Reference | Questions |
|---|---|
| CSLB C-36 Plumbing Study Guide | 29 |
| CSLB Application for Original Contractors License | 13 |
| California Government Code §4216 | 12 |
| CSLB List of All Fees | 11 |
| 29 CFR 1926.404 | 10 |
| California Government Code §4216.2 | 9 |
| California Government Code §4216.4 | 9 |
| 40 CFR §143.12 (lead free) | 7 |
| CSLB Studying for the Examination | 5 |
| 29 CFR §1926.652(a)(1) | 3 |
| 29 CFR §1926.651(g) | 3 |
| 29 CFR §1926.502(d)(21) | 2 |
| 29 CFR §1926.651(c)(2) | 2 |
| 29 CFR §1926.501(b)(1) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.501(b)(11) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.501(b)(4)(i) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.502(b)(1) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.502(b)(3) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.502(b)(4) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.502(b)(5) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.502(b)(2)(i) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.502(d)(15) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.502(d)(9) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.502(d)(4) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.502(d)(16)(ii) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.502(d)(16)(iii) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.502(d)(16)(iv) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.502(d)(20) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.502(i)(2) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.502(i)(4) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.502(i)(3) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.502(c)(1) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.502(f)(1)(i) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.502(d) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.1053(b)(1) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.1053(b)(5)(i) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.1053(b)(12) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.1053(b)(20) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.1053(b)(22) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.1053(b)(13) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.1053(b)(15) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.1053(a)(1)(i) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.1053(a)(3)(i) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.1053(b)(4) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.416(a)(1) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.95(a) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.651(b)(1) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.651(j)(2) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.652(b)(4) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.1053(b)(16) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.651(d) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.651(e) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.651(h) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.651(f) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.651(c) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.651(i) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.651(b) | 1 |
| 29 CFR §1926.652(b)(1) | 1 |
Sample Questions With Worked Answers
A few questions from the pool with the answer and explanation, so you can see the style before you start.
What is the CSLB application fee for an original license in one classification?
Answer: $450. Source text: “Original Application (exam or waiver for one classification) $450…”
Reference: CSLB List of All Fees
What is the CSLB initial license fee for a sole owner?
Answer: $200. Source text: “Initial License Fee (Sole Owner) $200…”
Reference: CSLB List of All Fees
What is the CSLB initial license fee for a non-sole owner (e.g., corporation)?
Answer: $350. Source text: “Initial License Fee (Non-Sole Owner) $350…”
Reference: CSLB List of All Fees
What is the CSLB fee to add a classification to an existing license?
Answer: $230. Source text: “Additional Classification (for existing license) $230…”
Reference: CSLB List of All Fees
What is the CSLB fee for replacing the qualifier on a license?
Answer: $230. Source text: “Replacing the Qualifier $230…”
Reference: CSLB List of All Fees
How Difficulty Is Spread Across the Pool
Each question is tagged Foundation, Intermediate or Advanced, and each new test favors questions close to your current level that you have not seen yet in this browser. This is how the 160 CSLB C-36 Plumbing questions divide:
| Level | Questions | Share of Pool |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | 35 | 22% |
| Intermediate | 98 | 61% |
| Advanced | 27 | 17% |
Because unseen questions come first, repeated attempts work through the pool rather than repeating the same items. Note the reference on every miss and reread that section before your next attempt.
Study Before You Test
- CSLB C-36 Plumbing Exam Guide
- CSLB C-36 Full Mock Exam
- CSLB Law and Business Exam Guide