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A California C-6 Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry contractor license lets you build and install cabinets, trim, and other finish-carpentry work for hire. It requires passing CSLB’s C-6 trade exam and the Law & Business exam, plus at least four years of qualifying finish-carpentry experience.
What does a C-6 license cover?
A C-6 contractor makes cabinets, cases, sashes, doors, trims, nonbearing partitions, and other items of finish carpentry, and places, erects, and finishes that cabinetry and millwork in structures. (Source: California Code of Regulations, Title 16, Section 832.6.) C-6 replaced the former C-5 cabinet/millwork classification effective January 1, 2003; C-5 today designates the separate Framing & Rough Carpentry classification, which covers structural framing rather than finish work.
How do I get a C-6 license?
You’ll need at least four years of qualifying finish-carpentry experience within the last 10 years, a completed CSLB application, and passing scores on both the C-6 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-6 classification description (CCR Title 16 §832.6).
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-6 Cabinet, Millwork & Finish Carpentry exam — frequently asked questions
What does a C-6 contractor license cover?
A C-6 contractor makes cabinets, cases, sashes, doors, trims, nonbearing partitions, and other items of finish carpentry, and places, erects, and finishes that cabinetry and millwork in structures. (Source: 16 CCR Section 832.6.)
Is C-6 the same as the old C-5 classification?
C-6 replaced the former C-5 cabinet/millwork classification effective January 1, 2003; C-5 now designates the separate Framing & Rough Carpentry classification. (Source: CSLB Licensing Classifications.)
Does finish carpentry include structural framing?
No — structural framing falls under the C-5 Framing & Rough Carpentry classification; C-6 covers nonbearing finish work such as cabinets, trim, and millwork. (Source: 16 CCR Section 832.6.)
What score do I need to pass?
The C-6 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.)