Obtaining a contractor’s license in California can be quite a challenge due to how demanding and detail-oriented the exam is. It’s not enough to be an outstanding professional to pass an exam, as you also have to understand its structure. Specialized preparation ensures that you don’t waste your time and can pass with flying colors. We searched for the best schools in the region and chose them based on the following:
- Reasonable pricing
- Experience and professionalism of the team
- Positive reviews and a high success rate
- A variety of disciplines, packages, and study formats
Based on such criteria, here are some of the best California contractor license schools for you to consider before your exam.
Contractors Intelligence School
The first top contractor school that you should pay attention to if you want to pass an exam is Contractors Intelligence School. Established over 15 years ago, this school has assisted around 100,000 specialists in reaching their goal of becoming licensed contractors.
The 98% pass rate of this school speaks for itself, but even if you don’t pass an exam the first time, you can get a refund. Contractors Intelligence School offers various study formats, including online at-home courses, offline education, and livestream classes. Depending on how you learn best and the amount of time you have, you can choose a format that speaks to you.
All the in-demand trade classifications are covered, including but not limited to engineering, plumbing, electrical, roofing, and more. Many of the school’s courses include an application review feature, which is always an important addition.
Overall, this experienced provider is all about a personalized approach to each student. If you are a Spanish-speaking individual, you will also find materials here, as they have instructors who speak the language.
Contractor’s License Guru
Another general contractor school online that should be on your radar is Contractors License Guru. Working from Sacramento, this provider has more than 20 years of experience helping people navigate their exams. You can choose a study kit based on your needs: General Building, General Engineering, Law & Business, and more.
The school offers plenty of resources for successful preparation, including handbooks, a blueprint study guide, and practice exams of varied difficulty. Another reason you may want to consider Contractors License Guru is their document filing service.
Overall, the school is a good option for those preparing for an exam and also interested in additional services.
RocketCert
RocketCert is also often considered the best contractor license school because of its dedication to your success in passing the exam. The Californian school has plenty of materials for the trade exam and Law and Business exam preparation. Whether you need to get a contractor license for heating, carpentry, earthwork, flooring, or another field, you will find a corresponding course at RocketCert.
The access to courses is fully online, which is convenient for people who combine study with work. Once you pay, you get access to materials for a lifetime. Another benefit to mention is that there is a possibility to receive a refund if you don’t pass your exam, but there are certain conditions for this to happen, so read them first. Also, the school doesn’t offer offline classes, so keep this in mind if you prefer to study in person.
Academy License Center
Academy License Center is a contractor state license school with experience and great success rates demonstrated by students. The focus of this school is on courses designed for home study, which is a good option for those with self-discipline.
At the moment, the Academy License Center boasts more than 45 trade specialities. Depending on your needs, you can choose a trade course only or go for one that also includes Law & Business aspects. The school puts an emphasis on flexibility and has streaming content, pre-recorded videos, and practice exams.
The school has reasonable pricing, a money-back guarantee, and is overall a solid option for those who prefer to study at their own pace.
Contractors State License Services
Last but not least, a contractor license school in California that has been around for around 40 years is Contractors State License Services. CSLS, for short, has helped more than 200,000 students reach their examination goals.
The strong point of this school is its diversity in materials and specializations. You will find everything from trade-focused prep classes to crash courses, seminars, construction math reviews, and others. As is often the case with license prep schools in California, you can attend classes not only in English but also in Spanish.
What is also great about CSLS is that it offers both offline and online study opportunities. There are over 20 classrooms to choose from offline if you prefer to learn in person.
Final Thoughts
Knowledge of the field and vast experience in the profession don’t always mean that you can pass an exam. Thus, contractor’s license exams cover not just your specific trade skills but also topics such as taxes, safety requirements, licensing law, and others. What is more, regulations are updated all the time.
A professional contractors license school in California can inform you about all the exam nuances, but it’s crucial to choose wisely. The teams on our list can boast high success rates and offer a wide range of preparation packages.
