According to the CSLB, “A structural steel contractor fabricates and erects structural steel shapes and plates, of any profile, perimeter or cross-section, that are or may be used as structural members for buildings and structures, including the riveting, welding, rigging and metal roofing systems necessary to perform this work.”

Requirements for Licensure

The California Contractors State License Board requires a minimum of four years journeyman-level experience in order to apply for a California Contractors license.

Structural Steel Exam (C-51)

The exam is a closed book exam and has approximately 100 questions that must be answered in 2.5 hours. The exams are given on a computer at one of the many testing centers throughout California. An appointment is needed and can be made once an application has been accepted.

Some of the topics covered in the exam include:

  • Planning & Estimating
  • Job Preparation
  • Shop Fabrication
  • Field Erection
  • Safety

How to Prepare for the Exam

Once the CSLB has approved your application, you will be informed of the testing date. We recommend that you give yourself plenty of time to prepare and study, preferably months. One of the most effective ways to prepare for the exam is by using the Peerless Structural Steel (C-51) Study Guide book. The book includes hundreds of pages of relevant content that is covered on the state exam and also loaded with close to a thousand multiple choice questions.