Free Fire Protection (C-16) practice test
25 original questions from all 5 sections of the Fire Protection exam. After each answer you'll see a short explanation and the source. At the end you get a score for every section.
- About 20 minutes
- No sign-up
- Calculator allowed, like at the test center
What is in this practice test
25 multiple-choice questions with four choices and one best answer, the same format as the CSLB C-16 – Fire Protection trade exam. The questions are spread over the exam's 5 sections in about the proportions CSLB publishes; the table shows how many come from each section.
| Section | Share of the exam | Questions in this test |
|---|---|---|
| Installation of Fire Protection Systems | 36% | 9 |
| Planning and Estimating | 25% | 6 |
| Safety | 21% | 6 |
| Installation of Underground Fire Main Systems | 9% | 2 |
| Maintenance and Repair of Fire Protection Systems | 9% | 2 |
| Total | 100% | 25 |
CSLB License Examination Study Guide, Fire Protection (C-16), form 13E-16 (03-2026), for examinations scheduled on or after January 26, 2022. CSLB notes that the percentages are approximate.
The questions are our own. CSLB does not release its exam questions, so nobody can sell or show you the real ones. Each of ours is written from the official outline and from the codes and references CSLB lists for the exam, and names its source.
How it is scored
- After each answer you see whether it was right, a short explanation and the source it comes from.
- At the end you get an overall percentage and a score for each of the 5 sections, for example 7/9 in Installation of Fire Protection Systems, sorted from your strongest section to your weakest.
- Sections where you scored under 60% are named as the ones to study first, three at most.
- There is no pass or fail. CSLB does not publish a fixed passing percentage, so we do not invent one. As a working target we treat 80% or more as a strong result.
- There is no clock. The real exam gives you 3½ hours; these 25 questions take about 20 minutes.
- Your answers are kept in this browser. Close the page and you can continue later on the same device. There is no sign-up and we do not ask for an email.
What to do with your result
Start with your weakest sections. What the C-16 exam covers lists every section with its share of the exam and what it asks.
CSLB requires the Law and Business exam from almost every applicant as well: take the free Law and Business test.
The full Fire Protection course has 746 practice questions across the 5 sections, 237 flashcards and timed mock exams, in English and Spanish. It costs $79 for 90 days or $109 for 180 days, one payment, no subscription; with Law and Business on the same pass it is $129 or $169. See plans and prices.
Common questions about the free test
Is the Fire Protection practice test really free?
Yes. All 25 questions, the explanations and the score by section are free, with no sign-up, no email and no card. The paid course is separate and starts at $79.
Are these questions from the actual CSLB C-16 exam?
No. CSLB does not release its test questions or answer keys. We write original questions from the official C-16 outline and the codes and references CSLB lists, and every answer names its source so you can check it.
How long does the free C-16 test take, and can I stop halfway?
About 20 minutes for 25 questions. There is no timer, and your answers are saved in your browser, so you can close the page and continue later on the same device.
What score should I aim for on the C-16 practice test?
CSLB does not publish a fixed passing percentage, so the test gives no pass or fail. We treat 80% or more as a strong result, and any section under 60% as one to study first.
Can I take the C-16 practice test in Spanish?
Yes, the practice test is also in Spanish: prueba gratis de Protección contra incendios. The official C-16 – Fire Protection exam itself is given in English only: CSLB does not offer it in Spanish. Study in the language you think in, and learn the English terms you will meet on exam day.