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A C-46 Solar Contractor license authorizes installing, repairing, and modifying solar energy systems — photovoltaic (PV), solar thermal, and hybrid installations — per CSLB’s classification description. Read the complete C-46 exam guide for licensing requirements and exam structure.
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Facts on this page are checked against the California CSLB C-46 classification description (CCR Title 16 §832.46).
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-46 Solar exam — frequently asked questions
What does a C-46 Solar contractor license cover?
A C-46 contractor installs, modifies, maintains, and repairs thermal and photovoltaic solar energy systems. (Source: 16 CCR Section 832.46(a).)
Can a C-46 contractor perform other construction work?
Only work necessary to complete the solar installation — a bare C-46 license doesn’t authorize general building or unrelated-trade work beyond what the solar system requires. (Source: 16 CCR Section 832.46.)
Do solar installers also need a C-10 Electrical license?
Not necessarily — C-46 covers the solar system itself, but many solar contractors also hold C-10 Electrical for grid interconnection and electrical work outside the solar-specific scope. Check the specific project scope against both classifications.
How many hours do I get for the trade exam, and what score do I need?
CSLB allows 3.5 hours per closed-book, PSI-administered exam. CSLB does not publish an exact passing percentage — it sets a criteria-referenced passing standard per exam form and reports pass/fail only, not a numeric score. (Source: CSLB Examination FAQ.)