Archive for the ‘Construction’ Category

California Contractor’s License

Monday, August 24, 2009@ 7:11 AM
posted by Frank Stevens

California Contractor’s License

Construction is one of California’s largest industries with new residential and commercial buildings going up at an ever-increasing pace. The construction industry in California is regulated by the Contractors State Licensing Board which tests and issues licenses to approximately 25,000 contractors a year.

Becoming a licensed contractor in California can be a positive career move for anyone experienced in the construction industry. Contractors are one of the most sought-after construction professions in the state. In uncertain economic times, contractors will have more solid opportunities at continued employment and, when the economy improves, contractors will assuredly have more work available than they can handle.

To become a licenses contractor in California, you need four years of experience as a journeyman, foreman, contractor or owner-builder. Some of the required experience can be achieved through prior education in the industry. Once this experience has been accepted by the State Licensing Board, you can sit for the contractor’s exam.

The State Licensing Board issues licenses in three main categories: Class “A”- General Engineering Contractor, Class “B”- General Building Contractor, and Class “C”- Specialty Contractor. Class “C” licenses are broken down into various specialties such as Drywall, Masonry, Refrigeration, Roofing, etc. Contractors who will work with asbestos require further training and certification under federal safety guidelines.

Once you have ensured that you have the prerequisite experience, you can fill out the application. For an initial application, only one class of license can be applied for. The completed application is sent along with the $250 fee to the Licensing Board. The application is reviewed by the Board and, if they deem your experience completed, you will receive a Notice to Appear for Examination. This notice will also tell you the date and time of the exam. There are exam locations in many of the major cities in California, which makes it easy for students to attend one in their area.

The California Contractor’s License has two parts, both of which must be passed in order to hold a license: Law & Business and an exam specific to the specialty or trade they are applying for. The Law & Business exam covers issues specific to the construction industry in the areas of contract law, dealing with customers and employees, and general business and finance. The exams consist of multiple choice questions and students are given 2 ½ hours to complete each exam. The exams are offered on a computerized system and marks are available immediately. Those who are not successful on the exam are given a detailed analysis of where they need improvement for the next sitting. If you pass one exam and not the other, you have five years to pass the other exam before the first is no longer valid.

Studying for the exam can be challenging for those who do not have extensive experience in the industry. The Peerless Institute (www.peerlessinstitute.com) offers study courses for the California Contractor’s License exams in electronic and book form. A good study course can mean the difference between success and failure. The sooner you pass the licensing requirements, the sooner you are back out in the field with your new credentials behind you.