CA License

Z's dad

Hi everyone,

I am getting ready to apply for my General B license here in California again. I was denied in 2002 due to lack of substantiated experience.
Since then I have been self-employed and doing loads of work hoping to get enough experience on paper for the CSLB. What it came down to was 1800 hours per year as a full time 4 year requirement. Anyway, my biggest question is on what to submit to the CSLB. When I applied last time, the investigator on my application told me to give him everything I had, even if it was over the $500 limit. He said that it wouldn't go to the enforcement dept. it was only to be used to substantiate experience. I thought that was great! But that was in 2002. A friend of mine just got his painting license and by listening to him and his dealing with the CSLB the processes might have changed. Now there is a statement on the application that says information submitted can be used for enforcement. So do I submit everything even the stuff over $500.

Thanks for any help!!!

RobertF

I wonder about that I noticed on the application that instructs you to even include unlicensed work. Pretty confusing....

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-Robert F

Z's dad

It's confusing because it's run by the state. I haven't read any fine print on the actual application that says anything about unlicensed work over $500 being ok to submit. When the investigator told me that it was ok, I was surprised. Since I was denied last time, I will definately be under investigation this time. Just wanted some other opinions on the whole $500 thing.

Thanks!!!

RobertF

I think you're the first guy I've heard of get denied. With who I've seen licensed in this state they must randomly select an application to go through. I still can't figure out how this last GC I worked with got his license, the 14 year old I hire for clean up seems to have better construction knowledge! Anywho best of luck this go around!

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-Robert F

Z's dad

Thanks for the wish of luck Robert.
You got it exactly right, they randomly pick application to go thru.
Lucky me.
I should have begun this whole mess by just working for someone so I would have W2's and paystubs to back up my experience. But too late for that now.
I know what you mean about all the yahoos that get licensed and don't know how to use a hammer. I'll admit that I don't know everything but I am able to a pretty competant job.

tc1811

Education can also be applied to satisfy up to a max of 2 yrs expereince should someone have a 4 year degree and up to one year for a 2 year degree.

Z's dad, your exaclty right in that they randomly choose what applications get investigated unless applications contain obvious discreprencies. Funny thing is that an employee for the department
actually hired me to do some work which totalled over a couple thousand dollars. At first I was leary and thought it may be a sting but after talking to the person about it I was assured it was ok. But in reference towards the $500 limit issue I was paid in $500 installments with notations indicating payment for materials ect...thought you find that interesting.

But I was also told that they will let you pass on any work you claim that was over $500. ...(This was approx 2 years ago so i dont know if that has since changed.) I was given the impression that they are so understaffed and backlogged that they simply don't have the time to properly do the proper checks. Secondly the State realizes untill you get luscensed you will continue to work and most likely not pay taxes. More liscenses means more taxes and more jobs ect

The concern i have had in using prior jobs over $500 as experience is that I may be opening up problems for who ever hired me since they obviously did not file 1099's or w-2's for what they paid me.

A couple questions you hopefully can offer information and insight from your experience.

The first is regarding the catagory available for work you personally completed as a DIY / Homeowner. Have you researched what they are looking for regarding using such experience to satisfy the experience requirements? Again it seems to be a possible can -o- worms ....you add a wall at home or do an addition but don't secure the proper permits and what exposure are you putting yourself in.

Lastly ... was curious if you took the exam and was then denied? And if so what was the exam like in your opinion.

Good luck and hope something I added was helpful .

maj

Does anyone besides me who are in unlicensed states find this thread amusing?

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The views expressed in this post are merely opinions of named poster and in no way shall be deemed meaningful by members of the herd. By no means does anything posted by named poster mean a damn thing for anyone else partaking in this thread.

Tom R

Maj, - - I only 'showed up' on this thread 'cuz I somehow KNEW it would somehow COME TO THIS with you!!

ROFLMAO!!


P.S. Remember, - - Jersey just started requiring licensing this year . . . what a joke!!

maj

So Tom, Congrats........ Now you are a real contractor !!!!!

__________________
The views expressed in this post are merely opinions of named poster and in no way shall be deemed meaningful by members of the herd. By no means does anything posted by named poster mean a damn thing for anyone else partaking in this thread.

Tom R

Yeah, - - $90 and a few practiced responses later and the instant it came in the mail I was somehow a 'Better Carpenter' than the day before!!

maj

Genie in a bottle?

__________________
The views expressed in this post are merely opinions of named poster and in no way shall be deemed meaningful by members of the herd. By no means does anything posted by named poster mean a damn thing for anyone else partaking in this thread.

Tom R

Clark Kent pill . . .

Melissa

Z's Dad, Don't mind the posts above. There have been debates in the passed over CA and the license requirements. Some have a problem with us being considered "GC's" when he thinks we're not worthy of that title, because in his state GC's do high rises or something r other.

Z's dad

Thanks for all the replies,

Mel - Thanks for the support. The way I look at it is they can either do the job or they can't. Just because they have a piece of paper from the state doesn't mean that they can build a house. A "GC" doesn't have to be a genius to line up all the right subs to get the job done. CA seems to have the most strict licensing, so if they live in a state that doesn't require them to be licensed then good for them. But come try to get a CA license and see how it goes.

Tc - I still haven't decided what to send in. I would have the 4 years exp. if I use everything I have, but about half of it is over the $500. I did get about a year of exp from schooling.

As for the people that hired you, I really wouldn't worry about it. The state is looking at you because of the work that you did. Is it safe, up to code, etc. Not at the people who hired you.

The owner/builder stuff was any & everything that I could come up with. I know they want permits on stuff that you did, but in my county you need a permit to replace a water heater or build a fence. Lots of things I don't agree with. So where do you draw the line? That's your call.

Yes, I took the test and then was denied. Failed the trade part of the exam. Just under 70% I think. The test itself was bogus if you ask me. I remember a question (it's been a few years, so I could be wrong)about weep holes and a shower or something like that. I had no idea what the question was talking about. I thought it was a little too specific to be on the GC test. It should have been on a specific trade test, like plumbing. They do give you a list of study material, but I don't have the time to read 15 books to get all that information. I did sign up for a school, which helped me pass the law part of the exam, but offered little help on the trade part. They had sample questions but most of them weren't on the test.

"But in reference towards the $500 limit issue I was paid in $500 installments with notations indicating payment for materials ect...thought you find that interesting"

That is interesting, because it is the total of the entire job mat'l + labor. It can't be broken up into smaller jobs just to fit the $500. I know that much is true, but other things aren't spelled out for us. What makes one job different from another?


Like I said before, it's run by the state so it's all upside down and backwards.

Hope I offered at least a little help. Would like to talk to you more about it, maybe if we put our heads together we can both come out on the plus side.

Plan 9

Do not worry about submitting what you think may inciminating information on your application. Absent any court judgments, the CSLB doesn't really worry about that sort of thing.

In the past I have reported unlicensed activity to the CSLB and they were quick to contact the offenders and offer them the opportunity to become licensed and "come into the fold". Those unlicensed hacks are now fully licensed hacks.

The CSLB primarilly exists to collect funds, almost no enforcement activity really occurs. In California, 2/3 of all contractors are unlicensed and the CSLB turns a blind eye. They could nab 10,000 unlicensed contractors on Craigs List alone.

tkle

...and I thought it was only in my area.Seems to be a common opinion.Where are you located?

tkle

The test is based on info from all the trades.You should know specifics about those you supervise.
Craftsman has the GC Peerless book that covers it all.All you do is read the answers and then the questions.It's a gimme.It's what you do with the license after you get it that's important.Anybody can be a GC in this state,but not everybody can be good at it.
Where did you get your schooling?I attended Orange Coast in Costa Mesa in the early 80's.Much like GC's some of the instructors there were realy good.Excellant in fact,but then there were those other ones...

Z's dad

Thanks everyone for all your info & insight!!

Since it's already Dec. I think I'll wait and hit it hard in Jan. and get all my paperwork straightened out.

I went to school at Riverside Community in Riverside. I have an Associates degree in drafting. My education credits are for that and stuff like welding, blueprint reading, etc..

CSLB

nadonailer

No - remember Maj, only in California are we real contractors

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Dwight D. Eisenhower

Jeff (socal)

Just passed mine about a month ago with only the first try. The school where i bought my study materials from guided me thru the application process. They made sure it was good enough to be submitted. Without them studying my application i think CSLB would've ask for more crap like proof of employment or experience. I do have the required experience and i used my dad's license # (gen b.) who was also my employer for 5 years.

I studied till i turned blue and it totally paid off. Where in SoCal are you guys located at???...