California CSLB C-5 — Framing & Rough Carpentry 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-5 Framing & Rough Carpentry exam at a glance

The California CSLB C-5 Framing & Rough Carpentry 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 C05StudyGuide.pdf (on/after 6/1/2025). How we source exam facts

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What’s included

19,000+ 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-5 Framing & Rough Carpentry exam

CSLB’s study guide divides the C-5 exam into four weighted sections. Structural Framing carries the most weight at 38%, and together with Safety (24%) it makes up 62% of the exam. Planning and Estimating is the smallest share at 17%.

California CSLB C-5 Framing & Rough Carpentry exam sections and their share of the exam
SectionShare of exam
Planning and Estimating17%
Structural Framing38%
General Framing21%
Safety24%

The C-5 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 Framing and Rough Carpentry (C-5) 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. 9 Estimating and Material Takeoffs
  2. 5 Contract Types and General Contract Law
  3. 8 Insurance Requirements
  4. 9 Employment Law for Contractors
  5. 1 CBC Chapter 23 — Wood (General Provisions)
  6. 3 Engineered Wood Products
  7. 5 Floor Framing
  8. 6 Roof Framing
  9. 8 Seismic Requirements
  10. 10 Moisture Protection
  11. 7 Permits and Inspections
  12. 5 Bracing and Lateral Support
  13. 7 Sheathing and Diaphragm Construction
  14. 4 Wall Framing
  15. 7 Nailing Schedules
  16. 1 Wall Framing Layout and Assembly
  17. 2 Corner and Intersection Framing
  18. 3 Floor Framing — Practical Considerations
  19. 4 Roof Framing — Practical Layout
  20. 6 Engineered Truss Systems
  21. 2 Lumber Grades and Species
  22. 8 Plan Reading and Layout
  23. 10 Common Framing Defects and Quality Issues
  24. 1 Cal/OSHA Overview
  25. 2 Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP)
  26. 3 Fall Protection for Framers
  27. 4 Scaffold Safety
  28. 5 Power Tool Safety
  29. 6 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  30. 7 Trenching and Excavation (as Related to Framing)
  31. 8 Hazard Communication (HazCom)
  32. 4 Study Resources
  33. 9 Fire Blocking
  34. 1 Contractor Licensing Requirements
  35. 2 Contractor Bonds
  36. 3 Home Improvement Contracts
  37. 4 Mechanics Liens
  38. 6 CSLB Disciplinary Actions
  39. 1 Exam Format and Administration
  40. 2 Key Numbers to Memorize
  41. 3 Practice Scenarios
  42. 5 Final Exam 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-5 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-5 Framing & Rough Carpentry guide runs to roughly 19,419 words in 42 sections, starting with “9 Estimating and Material Takeoffs” and ending with “5 Final Exam 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-5 Framing & Rough Carpentry 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-5 — Framing & Rough Carpentry examination and includes a 19,000+-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.