CONTRACTOR LICENSING GUIDE
What Is the Passing Score for a Contractor’s License Exam?
Most state contractor license exams require a 70% passing score, but there are variations.
70% Is the Standard — But Not Universal
The most common passing score for contractor license exams is 70%. This applies to most state exams administered through PSI Services and Pearson VUE. Some states set the bar at 75%.
Each section must be passed independently. In states with separate trade and business/law exams, passing each exam at 70% is required — you cannot average them. If you pass the trade exam at 80% but fail the business/law exam at 65%, you failed. You only need to retake the failed section, not both.
Florida’s exams: The Florida contractor exams use a scaled scoring system. A passing score is expressed as 75 on the scaled score (which corresponds to approximately 75% on the raw score). Different exam forms may have slightly different cut scores to account for form difficulty.
California’s CSLB: The CSLB law and business exam requires 70% (28 of 40 questions) to pass. The CSLB trade exam also uses 70%. Pass rates on first attempt vary by trade — typically 50–70%.
After passing: score results are typically available immediately (computer-based exams). Paper-based exams may take 1–2 weeks. Scores are submitted directly to the state licensing board by the testing provider — you don’t need to transmit them yourself.
Related Questions
How many questions are on most contractor exams?
Typically 80–120 questions per exam section. Exam length varies by state and classification. Some exams allow up to 4 hours; others are shorter.
Is there a penalty for wrong answers?
No negative scoring on most contractor exams. Unanswered questions count as wrong. Guess rather than leave blank.
How soon can I retake if I fail?
Most states allow retakes after 30 days. Retake fees apply — typically $75–$150 per section. Some states limit the number of attempts within 12 months.
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