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A California C-43 Sheet Metal contractor license lets you fabricate and install sheet-metal work — from ductwork to metal roofing — for hire. It requires passing CSLB’s C-43 trade exam and the Law & Business exam, plus at least four years of qualifying sheet-metal experience.
What does a C-43 license cover?
A sheet metal contractor selects, cuts, shapes, fabricates, and installs sheet metal such as cornices, flashings, gutters, leaders, pans, kitchen equipment, ductwork (including insulation), patented chimneys, metal flues, and metal roofing systems. (Source: California Code of Regulations, Title 16, Section 832.43.)
How do I get a C-43 license?
You’ll need at least four years of qualifying sheet-metal experience within the last 10 years, a completed CSLB application, and passing scores on both the C-43 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-43 classification description (CCR Title 16 §832.43).
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-43 Sheet Metal exam — frequently asked questions
What does a C-43 Sheet Metal contractor license cover?
A C-43 contractor selects, cuts, shapes, fabricates, and installs sheet metal such as cornices, flashings, gutters, leaders, pans, kitchen equipment, ductwork, patented chimneys, metal flues, and metal roofing systems. (Source: 16 CCR Section 832.43.)
Does C-43 cover HVAC ductwork installation?
Yes — fabricating and installing ductwork, including insulation, is part of the C-43 scope. (Source: 16 CCR Section 832.43.)
Is metal roofing part of this classification?
Yes — metal roofing systems are explicitly included in the C-43 classification. (Source: 16 CCR Section 832.43.)
What score do I need to pass?
The C-43 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.)