I’m in California, though I’m also thinking of moving to Texas.
You should visit California’s Department of Consumer Affairs State Licensing website:
Generally, for a general contracting license, you will have to be a qualifying individual (with appropriate experience, pass an exam, and pass background checks.
Business & Professions Code
Division 3, Chapter 9. Contractors, Article 4. Classifications
- (a) Except as provided in this section, a general building contractor is a contractor whose principal contracting business is in connection with any structure built, being built, or to be built, for the support, shelter, and enclosure of persons, animals, chattels, or movable property of any kind, requiring in its construction the use of at least two unrelated building trades or crafts, or to do or superintend the whole or any part thereof.
This does not include anyone who merely furnishes materials or supplies under Section 7045 without fabricating them into, or consuming them in the performance of the work of the general building contractor.
(b) A general building contractor may take a prime contract or a subcontract for a framing or carpentry project. However, a general building contractor shall not take a prime contract for any project involving trades other than framing or carpentry unless the prime contract requires at least two unrelated building trades or crafts other than framing or carpentry, or unless the general building contractor holds the appropriate license classification or subcontracts with an appropriately licensed specialty contractor to perform the work. A general building contractor shall not take a subcontract involving trades other than framing or carpentry, unless the subcontract requires at least two unrelated trades or crafts other than framing or carpentry, or unless the general building contractor holds the appropriate license classification. The general building contractor may not count framing or carpentry in calculating the two unrelated trades necessary in order for the general building contractor to be able to take a prime contract or subcontract for a project involving other trades.
(c) No general building contractor shall contract for any project that includes the “C-16” Fire Protection classification as provided for in Section 7026.12 or the “C-57” Well Drilling classification as provided for in Section 13750.5 of the Water Code, unless the general building contractor holds the specialty license, or subcontracts with the appropriately licensed specialty contractor.
(Amended by Stats. 1997, Chapter 812 (SB 857).)
Call the California State License Board. The hardest thing to do is to pick up the phone. After that it will all fall into place.
Step up! Good luck!
Google DBPR on your city and you will have all info.
You have to go through your local state licensing board. They will share a list of steps to follow to obtain your contractor’s license. Among the steps will include a successful completion of contractor examination. The exam varies according to the type of contractor services you wish to provide.
Best,
FLEF Construction
There are schools in Oakland, Concord, Los Angeles, and few other places. Start there and you will get more direction.
I can only talk about Florida. Each state is different. In Florida a person must have a certain amount of experience and then take a very hard exam. This is true for both general contractors and building contractors. If a person has an architecture degree, I think that can substitute for part of the experience.
Here is more information:
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0400-0499/0489/Sections/0489.111.html