I’m interested in learning the general requirements to become a licensed building contractor in California.
Some of the more specific questions I have are:
What are the main steps in the process?
How long does the process take?
How much does it cost?Obtain and application from the State Contractors Board. (cslb) Search cslb and you will get the info.
Have someone in the industry verify your experience and qualifications. The forms are available at the cslb.
Submit you application and pay the fees.
You can obtain study materials at the library or order them. The application process will give you all of the info. If possible go down to the Contractors Board in person and obtain all of the info.
You can go to the School where they give you the answers to the tests or actually learn the material. I recommend the second option. The library also has a book on studying for the contractors exam and the California Contractors License Law and Reference Book. You may have to call it in from another library. The test is in two parts. The law exam and the trades exam.
The fees include and application fee and if you pass the test the license fee. The total fees are a little over $500 if you don’t go to the school. If your not very good at studying (college oriented) the school may be for you. I was told that if you don’t go to the school you won’t pass the test. I studied and passed it first try. If you don’t pass the test you can re-test later for $50. The whole process takes about 2 months.
I’ve been licensed since 1985 and know that requirements have changed since then. Your best answer will come directly from the CSLB – Contractors State License Board, they have the Keys to the Kingdom
Click on the Applicants tab and see what’s required. The CSLB is part of the Dept of Consumer Affairs, notice it didn’t say Contractor Affairs, they are there to protect the consumer and that thought should guide all your actions as a business person
When I took the exam back in 1985 they were seating 2000 applicants a month for the test with only a 40% pass rate - 60% failed! Most applying were good mechanics, could build or repair very well but were deficient in the legalities and how to actually run a business, the exam is designed to weed those out BUT there’s hope. There is always help available from mentors, community colleges, even the CSLB themselves - there are study guides available on the site. There are also speciality schools that help applicants study for the exam, I went to one that was very helpful
I had two distinct advantages before becoming a contractor. I had been trained how to manage large businesses and had also been raised by an attorney who taught me some very valuable things growing up. My best advice beyond this is to know the law cold, know how it applies to you as either a Prime or a Sub contractor, what your rights are and the deadlines and correct forms involved to protect you, your customer and your employees.
Good luck in your quest
Bill Weliky
Home Care Remodeling & Repair
i do not know about california but the state of texas has a texas residential construction comission licensing board but it is now out of business the individual cities has come up with there own rules you must register with each city you are working in
each have there own requirments check with the city planning and development dept in your citie in calif
they will inform you of the licensing process
Best place to start is --------http://www.cslb.ca.gov/.
To qualify to become a licensed contractor you must be 18 years of age or older
No additional experience verification will be accepted after the
application has been accepted;
You may apply for only one license classification at a time if you are required to pass an
exam.
If you are required to take the examination, complete the following steps:
• Submit the application, the application processing fee ($250), and all required
documents to:
If you are not required to take an examination for any classification for which you are
applying, you must:
• Submit an application and $400 ($250 application processing fee and $150 initial
license fee) plus $50 for each additional classification you are applying for;
• Submit a Contractor’s Bond or equivalent in the business name of the applicant
• Submit proof of Workers’ Compensation Insurance or, if you have no employees,
an exemption certificate (Form 13L-50).
Currently, it costs a total of $400 in fees to obtain a contractor’s
license for one classification.
Gain the VERIFIABLE experience.
Complete the application and submit it with an affidavit from those who have firsthand knowledge of your experience. If you have a criminal history, do not lie. Years later, if they discover false statements, they will revoke your license (regardless of the length of time that has passed).
Pay the State their fee
Pass the test. Studying for the test, depends on how smart you are about the chosen trade. I always study for every test - I just don;t want to have to do it over again.
Purchase a licensing bond.
Acquire the required financial resources - the State of CA requires that you have a minimum amount of capital.
The most important thing to start with is your experience. Do you feel you have enough to tell others how they should be doing their job. There are many people that have the required 4 years at Journey level to qualify but, should not be telling others what to do.
If you have that, start the process.
cslb website has everything you need. The application process is quite easy.
I agree with the guy that said you should know the material. The schools will give you most of the answers but, you should actually understand the answers. You will be potentially working on peoples homes and it is iomportant to know what you’re doing.
If you have verifiable experience and a clean background, you move on to the test. Two sections, law and trade. Approx 300 questions each.
Also, read everything you can get your hands on about business. The accounting and marketing aspect of running a succesful business are much more time consuming than you might have ever thought.
Good luck.
Thats an easy one!! here you will find all information needed to become a licensed general contractor in california http://www.cslb.ca.gov
good luck!