California
(C-20) Warm-Air Heating, Ventilation
and Air-Conditioning

Apply for the License and Exam

Contractors State License Board
9821 Business Park Drive
P.O. Box 26000
Sacramento, CA 95826
Phone: (800) 321-2752
Outside CA: (916) 255-3900
www.cslb.ca.gov

Exam Type

CLOSED BOOK

Exam Content

Subject Areas	% of Questions
Planning, Engineering and Design	27
Fabrication, Installation and Start up	25
Troubleshooting, Repair, and Maintenance	25
Safety	23

Time Allowed (hours)	2.5
Passing Grade:	Pass/Fail

California does not publish the number of test questions nor the passing score. According to Blueprint for Becoming a California Licensed Contractor, "You will be informed at the test site about the percentage of correct answers needed to pass each examination."

The qualifying individual for a contractor’s license is required to pass the written Law and Business and trade examinations unless he or she meets the requirements for a waiver.

Part of this exam requires knowledge of business management principles. We offer those study materials on a separate California Law and Business web page.

Books NOT Allowed in the Exam

1.	Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 18th Edition, 2004, Althous, Turnquist, Bowditch, Bracciana.
2.	Heating and Cooling Essentials, Jerry Killenger, LaDonna Killenger.
3.	HVAC Duct Construction Standards - Metal and Flexible, 3rd Edition, 2005, SMACNA.
4.	California Building Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 2), 2010, (based on the 2009 International Building Code), ICC.
5.	Building Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings, 2008, California Energy Commission.
6.	California Electrical Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 3), 2010, (based on the 2008 NEC), NFPA.
7.	California Mechanical Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 4), 2010, (based on 2009 Uniform Mechanical Code), IAPMO.
8.	Cal/OSHA Construction Safety Orders, California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Division 1 - Industrial Relations, Chapter 4, Subchapter 4.
9.	Manual D - Residential Duct Systems, 1995, Air Conditioning Contractors of America.
10.	Manual J - Residential Load Calculations, 2002, Air Conditioning Contractors of America.
11.	Manual H - Heat Pump Systems, Air Conditioning Contractors of America.
12.	Manual P, Psychrometrics: Theory and Applications, Air Conditioning Contractors of America.
13.	Manual CS - Commercial Applications, Systems and Equipment, ACCA.
14.	Manual RS, Comfort, Air Quality, & Efficiency By Design, Air Conditioning Contractors of America.

Recommended Study Materials

California • (C-20) Warm-Air Heating, Ventilation
and Air-Conditioning

Product Name	Price
Comprehensive Tutorial
Practice Tests ( 3 )
When you order the products above, they will be sent to you by e-mail (see FAQ page for delivery times). If you prefer the files can be burned on to a CD-ROM disc and sent by USPS mail, you must notify us within 3 days of ordering using the form on our "Contact Us" page.