CSLB Experience...

J87513

Hey all I'm thinking of getting my contracting license in a year or so. I know I need 4 (2 with college credit) years of fulltime experience to qualify for the CA contractors exam. How many people does the California License Board want you to have signed off to verify my experience?

I don't think my boss would be really happy to know he isn't going to be the only guy on the block making 100k a year

thanks everybody

Spectatorz

You Need as Many People as it takes to swear to your experience and skill level.
Just wanted to let you know, this is 4 years of verifiable work at a Journeyman Level at Least, or at a Supervisory Level.One or the other or Both.
If you worked for the same Licensed contractor for long enough and he would be willing to vouch for you to the CSLB than maybe one is enough.
Depends on your background.

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tkle

All you need is one from just about anybody that will verify your experience.I went with two from journeymen I worked alongside.College credit will show you knew what you were doing when you started(LOL)at least in their view,but it has to be certain subjects.A math degree or similar will also count for the 4 years.Send a copy of your transcripts. Where you at?

J87513

I live in Oxnard, CA it is about 60 miles up the coast from Los Angeles. I think that by the time I apply for my contracting license I will have taken 5 math courses/semesters which will put me in Calculus.

tkle

Near Ventura,Buellton.Unfortunately,I believe,for math to count you need a degree.You can probably find trade classes at a nearby J.C.I know Orange Coast(Costa Mesa)has a full program,but that's a bit far.I see Redmon Schools advertising for const. management but they don't impress me.Usually those schools are just after V.A. funds.

J87513

well I don't think I need a math "degree". The website cslb.ca.gov says that I need "substancial" studies from any accredited college/university in math, physics, business or etc. for it to knock off two years. Do you live in Buelton? I just worked on a job up there at Hollister ranch.

nadonailer

One is good enough if it's the right one! another GC is the best bet if you can get one to vouch for you......

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tkle

Don't want to steer you wrong.You may be right.That is really a gray area.I remember being somewhat confused by the word "substantial".When applying I sent in everything I had.Trade school and math up through calculus.I also had 20 years experience behind me. Don't know what they actually looked at.With that I'd say don't wait as long as I did.Just go for it..I live in the desert above Palm Springs but have spent many a summer living in the S.L.O. and Morro Bay area passing through your area frequently.

DAVIS081404

Generally you only need one signature. If you get to be the lucky 2% that is audited you will have to give them your youngest bourne and anything else they deem fit. When they are done you will wish you had been audited by the IRS.




The Certification Statement at the bottom of the form must be completed by a qualified, responsible person who is able to certify the work experience of the qualifier. The certifier can be an employer, fellow employee, journeyman, union representative,contractor, business associate, or a client if the applicant is/was self-employed. This form will help CSLB determine whether the qualifier has the experience necessary to become a capable, qualified contractor

http://www.cslb.ca.gov/forms/certworkexp.pdf

J87513

Oh wow, I had no clue that they only audit 2% of the applicants. I guess that the 2% that do get audited get a full audit and not just a quick eyeball on the applicant.

tkle

Never heard of anyone getting audited.Not that it doesn't happen.IMO the state board has no guts.

DAVIS081404

Its a crap shoot, they receive hundreds of thousands of applications a year, and are generallay weeks behind. If you have the required exp there are no worries. Just remember you are dealing with the state of CA. If you want to know what it will be like, go to the DMV and start a pissing contest......

J87513

Hey I got another question. My boss paid me off the books for one year, I think I worked about 1500 hours during that time. How do I approach this with the licensing board because I don't want that time to go down the toilet.

Z's dad

Hi guys,

I have a similar thread in the licensing forum. Some of you have posted over there. Everyone here is pretty much on target. I was audited back in 2002 and eventually denied. If you are working for someone and have pay stubs and tax records, you will be fine. As far as signatures you only need one. Your GC would be my first pick. I don't think you can use that year off the books, because
there is no paperwork to back it up.

I have 1 year credit for schooling. I took classes like welding, drafting, and blueprint reading all at a JC. I am in the process of putting all my paperwork in order to re apply for my general B license.

This is the question that got me to sign up for this forum to get help with. Should I send in contracts that are for more than $500 to the CSLB?

Thanks

tkle

The way I understand it they want nothing more than getting unlicensed contractors licensed.I think the contracts would work. Getting paid off the books would count as well however if you didn't pay taxes on it you're possibly opening up a can of worms.

Jeff (socal)

Getting your application approved is just part of the hurdle that you have to go thru. You will have to study, study and guess what? more studies... My situation was easier.. worked for my old man for 2 years part time and 3 years fulltime. We had a little misunderstanding while at the job site and i left. Went to work for HomeCreapo for 8 months. While i was working at HD i turned in my CSLB application with my mom's signature (mom helped with the business) and my dad's license # (with his knowledge). While waiting for my application approval i was preparing myself for the exam (law and business and trade). I focused on study, lunch breaks turned into study time and i had to sacrifice my normal activities..Guess what?.. i took the test and passed it the first try and i got my General B License. I also saw some people flunk and those were mainly people who rushed taking the exam and probably did not study.

Try to study ahead of time. You will know more about construction when you finish studying. Good luck

tkle

Congratulations,
I was one of those guys that rushed.I just figured when taking the test that I knew what I knew and that was it. Starring at the test wouldn't help any at that point.I was pretty confident.Basically like you said I carried my Peerless book everywhere opening it every chance I got.Lunch breaks,waiting for work,even waiting at stoplights I'd glance over at it,reading one or two questions.Not only easier and cheaper than the classes but more effective.Yes I did know more about construction when I was done.What part of southern Cal are you in?

J87513

I'm from Oxnard over in Ventura County, if you're asking me. If you have a General B license does that mean that you can pretty much do anything?

J87513

Hey Jeff, did you just show pay stubs for your experience? Did you dad pay you under the table?

tkle

Actually I was asking Jeff where he was located..We've been through this already,but it won't hurt you to get it out there again.
With a B1 I can do carpentry by itself or jobs consisting of 3 or more trades.I have a c29 so I can bid masonry by itself.That said I often bid against Generals that are bidding on masonry exclusively.Like I've repeated many times there seems to be little enforcement.