Contractors' State License Board Information ~~~Part Three

All applicants must be fingerprinted for licensure. You may apply for only one license classification at a time. You must submit a contractor’s bond. You must submit proof of worker’s compensation insurance, or an exemption if you have no employees. If a license is qualified by an RME, the qualifier is an employee. That means that worker’s compensation must be paid but worker’s compensation insurance is not required for an inactive license. If there is a problem with the status for your application, return your application to the Contractors' State License Board within 90 days from the date it was rejected. Otherwise, it is void.

A joint venture license is something like sole owners, partnerships, corporations, or other joint ventures. A member of immediate family, if licensee whose individual license was active and in good standing for five of the seven years immediate proceeding application.

A business examination consists of multiple choice questions related to business management and construction law. A study guide is available on the Contractors' State License Board website. You will receive a wall certificate showing the name of the person or company, license number and date of issuance, along with a permanent plastic pocket card. Make it a habit to carry your pocket card.

Licenses are issued to individuals, partnerships, corporations, or joint ventures. A qualifier is the person who is listed on the Contractors' State License Board records and meets the experience and examination requirements for the license. The same person can qualify for more than one license if there is common ownership of at least 20% of the equity, the additional firm is a subsidiary or joint venture, or the majority of the partners or officers are the same. The qualifier must be regularly employed by the firm and actively involved in the operations of the business at least 32 hours per week, or 80% of the total business operating hours per week, which ever is less.

Contractors' State License Board Information ~~~ Part Two

An owner-builder is a person who has the knowledge and skill of a journeyman, who performs work on his or her own property, and has the skills necessary. A qualified, responsible person must verify them. You may receive credit for technical training, apprentice training, or education instead of the required four years of practical experience. At least one year must be practical experience. Two years after submitting a transcript from a four year degree accredited college, a professional degree in law, or a substantial college or university course, in accounting, architecture, business, construction, technology, etc. Three years upon a certificate of completion of an apprentice program from an accredited apprentice program, a submission of transcripts for four year degree from an accredited college, submission of transcripts for four year degree from an accredited college or university in the field of horticulture or landscape horticulture for the landscaping license.

A Class “A” is a general engineering contractor. The principal business is in connection with fixed work of improvement, specialized engineering knowledge, and skills.

A Class “B” general contractor works in connection with any structure built, to be built, or requiring in its construction the use of at least two unrelated building trades or crafts. However, framing or carpentry projects may be performed without that limitation.

A Class “C” general contractor has 41 separate “C” classifications. This construction work requires specialized skill and its principal contracting business involved the use of specialized building trades or crafts. Manufacturers are considered to be contractors if they are engaged with onsite construction.

There is a “C-61” limited specialty license, which is Section 832.61.

We will continue this in the next blog.