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A California C-11 Elevator contractor license lets you fabricate, install, and repair elevators for hire. It requires passing CSLB’s C-11 trade exam and the Law & Business exam, plus at least four years of qualifying elevator experience.
What does a C-11 license cover?
An elevator contractor fabricates, erects, installs, and repairs elevators — including sheave beams, motors, sheaves, cable and wire rope, guides, cabs, counterweights, doors, and automatic and manual controls and signal systems — covering electrical, hydraulic, and manually operated elevators. (Source: California Code of Regulations, Title 16, Section 832.11.)
How do I get a C-11 license?
You’ll need at least four years of qualifying elevator experience within the last 10 years, a completed CSLB application, and passing scores on both the C-11 trade exam and the Law & Business exam. See our step-by-step application guide and current fee and bond breakdown.
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Facts on this page are checked against the California CSLB C-11 classification description (CCR Title 16 §832.11).
Last updated: July 16, 2026. Accuracy method: every code citation and answer is verified against current code editions and licensing-board requirements, and corrected as codes change. Refund policy.
C-11 Elevator exam — frequently asked questions
What does a C-11 Elevator contractor license cover?
A C-11 contractor fabricates, erects, installs, and repairs elevators, including sheave beams, motors, cable and wire rope, guides, cabs, counterweights, doors, and automatic and manual controls and signal systems. (Source: 16 CCR Section 832.11.)
Does C-11 cover both hydraulic and electric elevators?
Yes — the classification explicitly covers electrical, hydraulic, and manually operated elevators. (Source: 16 CCR Section 832.11.)
Does C-11 include elevator repair, not just new installation?
Yes — repair is included alongside fabrication, erection, and installation. (Source: 16 CCR Section 832.11.)
What score do I need to pass?
The C-11 trade exam is 115 questions in 3.5 hours, closed-book, at a PSI test center, with a 73% passing score. (Source: CSLB Examination FAQ.)