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What are the advantages to having a contractor's license? |
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There are many reasons to get a contractor's license:
- You can bid for jobs that are over $500.
- You can bid for government projects.
- You can take the customer to court if you are not paid.
(Without a license, a contract over $500 is considered illegal.)
- You can legally advertise your construction business.
- You can pull building permits.
- You are eligible for special discounts from many material suppliers.
- You can join builders' associations that offer job boards, plan rooms, and group insurance.
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Where do I get the state application forms? |
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You can call the Contractors' State License Board (CSLB) at (800) 321-2752 or drop by a CSLB office in your area. Access License Schools includes the State application forms with their home study courses. |
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What are the minimum qualifications for a license?
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You need four years' work experience as a journeyman within the past ten years or a combination of experience and education.
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What if I don't have four years' work experience?
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You may still qualify by substituting apprenticeship or technical training or other education for work experience. For example, you could receive a credit of up to two years for a college degree in business. You don't necessarily need a college degree. Transcripts showing course work in construction technology, drafting, accounting, etc., Can also be substituted for a portion of the four-year requirement.
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What is a journeyman?
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A person who has a certificate for a completed apprenticeship program or an experienced worker who is: (a) not a trainee, (b) fully qualified, and (c) can work without supervision.
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How do I prove my work experience?
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You ask someone in the building trades who has direct knowledge of your work to sign a "work cert" (Certification of Work Experience). You do not need a work cert for each and every job. One person may sign for all four years of required experience.
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Can I qualify with self-employment?
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Yes. But recently the Board has begun to require TWO work certs for self-employed work.
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What happens if my application is not approved?
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The application will be returned with a letter asking you to supply additional information or make corrections. You will have 90 days to comply with the letter.
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Does everyone take the same exams?
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If this is your first license, you will take two exams: the Law and Business exam and the Trade exam. Everyone takes the same Law and Business exam. But every person takes a Trade exam corresponding to his or her particular trade (e.g., general building, plumbing, electrical).
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I heard you have to take the exams on a computer.
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Right. But it's no big deal. You don't have to know one thing about computers. In one survey, 100% of applicants preferred the computer to a paper-and-pencil test!
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What happens if I fail the exams? |
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The Law and Trade exams are scored separately. And you get three attempts per application (at $50 per retake). If you don't pass after three attempts, you have to reapply. If you passed one of the exams it still counts for up to 5 years.
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If I get a license, does that mean I need worker's comp? |
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If you have employees, yes. If you work by yourself, you can file an exemption certificate.
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Do I have to be bonded to get a license? |
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Yes. Contractors must post a $12,500 contractor's license bond (except swimming-pool contractors, who need a $15,000 bond). The premiums range from $75 to $95 for a one-year bond and from $120 to $150 for a two-year bond. Call our in-house insurance agent, Jonathan Corbett, at 1-800-400-1125 for more information on bonds and insurance. |
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How long is a contractor's license good for? |
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The term of an active contractor's license is two years. If you don't plan to start contracting right away, you can ask that the license be issued on "inactive" status. An inactive license is good for four years, and you do not need a bond. |
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Can I apply for more than one license classification at a time?
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Not if it's your first license. You need a license number before you can apply for an additional (supplemental) classification. So, for example, first you might get a B license as a general builder, and then later add a supplemental C-36 classification as a plumber.
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