Module 1
Loads, psychrometrics, and system planning
Build exam-ready understanding of loads, psychrometrics, and system planning through source-grounded explanations, worked examples, and original scenario practice.
California · Original 101PD learning guide
California CSLB C-20 HVAC Exam Prep Study Guide
California C-20 HVAC exam preparation built around load concepts, equipment selection, air distribution, refrigeration, controls, troubleshooting, safety, and code decisions.
California Contractors State License Board owns the official credential and may change its blueprint, eligibility rules, fees, or delivery process. This guide keeps those boundaries visible while organizing original 101PD instruction around loads, psychrometrics, and system planning, heating, cooling, refrigeration, and controls, air distribution, installation, and commissioning, troubleshooting, safety, and code readiness.
Skills you will practice
- Loads, psychrometrics, and system planning
- Heating, cooling, refrigeration, and controls
- Air distribution, installation, and commissioning
- Troubleshooting, safety, and code readiness
Prerequisites
- Applicants must independently satisfy CSLB's current C-20 experience and application requirements.
- Review the current California Contractors State License Board eligibility rules and candidate materials before registering for the official examination.
Designed for
California HVAC contractor applicants · Candidates who want a structured objective-by-objective study plan · Professionals using diagnostic results to target weak domains
What a learner should be able to do
- Outcome 1
Explain the core rules and concepts within loads, psychrometrics, and system planning.
- Outcome 2
Apply heating, cooling, refrigeration, and controls to realistic exam-style decisions.
- Outcome 3
Analyze air distribution, installation, and commissioning using a repeatable problem-solving process.
- Outcome 4
Use troubleshooting, safety, and code readiness to identify readiness gaps before the official examination.
Original curriculum architecture
Each course is organized around these modules, original explanations, realistic cases, practice questions, and documented source review.
Module 2
Heating, cooling, refrigeration, and controls
Build exam-ready understanding of heating, cooling, refrigeration, and controls through source-grounded explanations, worked examples, and original scenario practice.
Module 3
Air distribution, installation, and commissioning
Build exam-ready understanding of air distribution, installation, and commissioning through source-grounded explanations, worked examples, and original scenario practice.
Module 4
Troubleshooting, safety, and code readiness
Build exam-ready understanding of troubleshooting, safety, and code readiness through source-grounded explanations, worked examples, and original scenario practice.
Official exam relationship
Independent preparation for C-20 HVAC trade examination
- Exam owner
- California Contractors State License Board
- Exam or series code
- C-20
101PD provides independent preparation and a training-completion record. California Contractors State License Board controls eligibility, registration, the official examination, scoring, and the resulting license or certification.
Review the official exam informationApplied portfolio exercise
HVAC system-selection and diagnostic file
Complete an applied readiness file that connects the official objective areas to realistic work decisions and a documented study plan.
- Load and equipment worksheet
- Air-distribution sketch
- Diagnostic and safety checklist
Sources and boundaries
Sources establish current requirements and standards. They do not supply 101PD’s lesson text, scenarios, assessments, or project work.
Source set reviewed August 21, 2026.
- California Contractors State License Board official examination information
Controlling public source for the C-20 HVAC trade examination relationship, objectives, or candidate requirements. Recheck before publication and every version update.
- 101PD original-work standard
101PD develops its own explanations, examples, assessments, and applied projects.
Exam-prep questions
Who issues the C-20 HVAC trade examination?
California Contractors State License Board controls the official C-20 HVAC trade examination, including current eligibility, registration, delivery, scoring, and the resulting license or certification.
Does a 101PD completion certificate prove that I passed the official exam?
No. A 101PD certificate documents completion of independent training only. It is not an exam score, occupational license, authority approval, or third-party certification.
Are official exam registration and fees included?
No. Candidates register with California Contractors State License Board or its designated testing provider and pay any official fees separately. Always confirm the current candidate rules before registering.