California CSLB C-38 — Refrigeration Exam Prep

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Your access starts when you do: the days begin the first time you open the course, not at checkout (or 14 days after purchase, whichever comes first).

Business & Law is 75% off with this classification. Add it only if you want it, for the same term: $24.75 for 30 days, $32.25 for 60 days, $42.25 for 90 days.

Official sitting

California CSLB C-38 Refrigeration exam at a glance

The California CSLB C-38 Refrigeration exam has a time limit of 3 hours 30 minutes, and it is closed book. CSLB also requires a separate Law and Business exam. Figures are from CSLB’s published exam information.

Time3 hours 30 minutes

Confirm question count, time, open-book rules, and passing score on the live board bulletin before you sit. We do not guarantee a passing result. Source: CSLB C38StudyGuide.pdf (on/after 4/1/2024). How we source exam facts

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What’s included

18,000+ word study guide

Worked calculations, code-section breakdowns, exam traps, a key-terms glossary and a 30/60/90-day plan.

5 full-length practice exams

Original questions weighted to match the topic mix of the real exam.

500 practice questions

Every one with a written explanation and the code section behind the answer.

Same study guide and four exams on every term. You are choosing how long you can log in.

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What’s on the California CSLB C-38 Refrigeration exam

CSLB’s study guide divides the C-38 exam into five weighted sections. Refrigeration System Installation carries the most weight at 26%, and together with Refrigeration System Repair (22%) it makes up 48% of the exam. Safety is the smallest share at 16%.

California CSLB C-38 Refrigeration exam sections and their share of the exam
SectionShare of exam
Planning and Estimating18%
Refrigeration System Installation26%
Refrigeration System Repair22%
Refrigeration System Maintenance18%
Safety16%

The C-38 exam is closed book: no reference materials may be used during the test. Questions are multiple choice with four options, and there is no penalty for guessing, so leave nothing blank.

Source: CSLB Refrigeration (C-38) examination study guide. These weightings are the Board’s own, not our estimate. Contractor Pathway is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by CSLB.

What this prep covers

  1. 1 - Equipment Efficiency (ASHRAE 90.1)
  2. The Refrigeration Cycle
  3. Pressure-Temperature Relationships
  4. Superheat and Subcooling
  5. System Charging
  6. Refrigeration System Components
  7. Commercial Refrigeration System Types
  8. Refrigerant Piping Design
  9. Electrical Safety
  10. Troubleshooting
  11. California Mechanical Code -- Refrigeration Systems (CMC Title 24 Part 4)
  12. ASHRAE Standard 15 -- Safety Standard for Refrigeration Systems
  13. Cal/OSHA General Safety Requirements (Title 8 CCR)
  14. Refrigerant Safety
  15. Confined Space Entry (Title 8 CCR Section 5156-5159)
  16. Additional Safety Topics
  17. Sample Exam Questions by Category
  18. Key Numbers to Memorize
  19. 1 - Refrigerant Boiling Points
  20. EPA Section 608 -- Refrigerant Management (40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F)
  21. Refrigerant Phase-Out Schedules
  22. CSLB Licensing Requirements
  23. Mechanics Liens
  24. Contracts and Home Improvement
  25. Other Business and Law Topics
  26. Study Checklist
  27. Exam Day Tips

Related California CSLB exams

Common questions about this exam

Do I also need the Law and Business exam in California?

Yes. CSLB requires every applicant to pass the separate Law and Business exam in addition to the C-38 trade exam. That exam has 3 hours 30 minutes. California CSLB Law & Business prep is 75% off when you add it to this classification for the same term.

How much practice does this prep include?

It includes 5 full-length practice exams and 500 practice questions in total. Every question has a written explanation naming the code section the answer comes from.

How long is the study guide?

The California CSLB C-38 Refrigeration guide runs to roughly 18,485 words in 27 sections, starting with “1 - Equipment Efficiency (ASHRAE 90.1)” and ending with “Exam Day Tips”.

How long do I get access?

Choose 30, 60 or 90 days at checkout. Your days do not start at checkout: they begin the first time you open the course (or 14 days after purchase, whichever comes first). Access works on any device, and you can retake every practice exam as often as you like. Days remaining are shown in your dashboard and you can extend at any time.

Is this an official California CSLB C-38 Refrigeration exam?

No. This is independent preparation material. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by any state licensing board or exam vendor, and it does not contain real exam questions. Always confirm current requirements with your licensing board.

About this prep

This prep is built specifically for the C-38 — Refrigeration examination and includes a 18,000+-word study guide written for this exam, 5 full-length practice exams and 500 practice questions, each with a written explanation.

How access works

You are paying for access length (30, 60, or 90 days). The study guide and four timed exams are the same on every term. Your days start the first time you open the course, not at checkout (or 14 days after purchase, whichever comes first), and access works on any device for that term.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by any state licensing board or exam vendor. For exam-preparation purposes only.