California Licensing

The Boss

Hi, I am a licensed "B" General but I would like to get my "A" as well. I have a degree in applied math (engineering emphasis) and have several years of GC experience, plus the experience I had for my "B" license as a journeyman. Does this apply to the "A" license or do I need to have the specific experience in one of the subspecialties of the "A" liscense.

Thanks for the help,

billcruz

What a day... I just took trade exam today C-33 after going through couple of websites who provide practice exam... which was a tough thing to do...
And got me 66% with 67% passing score
Anyway my question is "Is there anyway to make up the missed one point somehow? The time is very critical for me... I am having little problem with my family and all... and I really need this license to survive this bad economy

Thank you in advance... and I look forward to hear from you.


Bill.

License Guru

Your degree will give you some credit towards the experience. Do you have a BS or Masters in engineering?The experience description provided by the CSLB states:7056. A general engineering contractor is a contractor whose principal contracting business is in connection with fixed works requiring specialized engineering knowledge and skill, including the following divisions or subjects: irrigation, drainage, water power, water supply, flood control, inland waterways, harbors, docks and wharves, shipyards and ports, dams and hydroelectric projects, levees, river control and reclamation works, railroads, highways, streets and roads, tunnels, airports and airways, sewers and sewage disposal plants and systems, waste reduction plants, bridges, overpasses, underpasses and other similar works, pipelines and other systems for the transmission of petroleum and other liquid or gaseous substances, parks, playgrounds and other recreational works, refineries, chemical plants and similar industrial plants requiring specialized engineering knowledge and skill, powerhouses, power plants and other utility plants and installations, mines and metallurgical plants, land leveling and earthmoving projects, excavating, grading, trenching, paving and surfacing work and cement and concrete works in connection with the above mentioned fixed works. Do you have any experience in the above? If you do you should have no problem qualifying for the exam. I do offer a free application review for CT members. I'd be happy to take a look at your application if you wish. Send me an email (by clicking on my name below) or send me a PM.

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Phil Cocciante
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License Guru

Hello Bill,

"Is there anyway to make up the missed one point somehow?"

You can appeal the test result. There is a form provided by the CSLB to appeal the exam. Go to their web site and look for the form. If you can't find it, let me know via email (click on my name below) and I'll send it to you.

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Phil Cocciante
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acer66

Hi License Guru,

1. I like to thank you for your help here.
I am looking to get my GC license here in CA.

Regarding my experience
I worked here most of the time as a handyman.
The only one who would maybe sign me off is someone with an not active Colorado GC license.
I also have some experience from Germany were I worked as a Metal worker and studied Civil Engineering but did I not finish, would that help?
My age is 42 and I worked for around 20 years in Construction now.

You posted earlier when the question came up how to prepare for the exam, that you might know someone who has a very up to date system, that is very thorough.
How do I get a hold off that person?

Thank you very much.

License Guru

That person would be....... me.

From what you described it sounds as though you have the necessary experience. Click on my name below, take a look around, and shoot me an email so I can go into your experience in more detail.

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Phil Cocciante
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acer66

Cool, will do.

Thank you

Z's dad

Hi all,

I just got denied for my B. Well, not actually denied, they let me withdraw my app. My app went to investigation because of a denial in 2002. I sent them a 3" stack of my customer invoices for the past 6 years. The investigator called and said she was looking for structural experience. So basically, if I want my B then I would have to work for a framer for 4 years. She said I could probly qualify for the carpentry license though. Maybe I'll apply in a year. I can't afford the $400 again right now.

Meanwhile, there are all kinds of yahoos getting their licenses.

Guru, when should your bond be submitted? If I did it after my test, I would be sitting on a bond for nothing.

Thanks gang!!!

License Guru

Normally the bond would be submitted around the test date so that it's there when the license is going to be issued. But in your case, the prior denial meant that your next app was going to be pulled for investigation. Waiting till you cleared that point would be when you'd get the bond.

If you paid $400, they will be sending you $150 back. Did the investigator indicate that you had to wait to reapply?

Sorry you got denied.

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dtyton

I used the CSLB arbitration program and lost. I guess customers can just get out of contract when ever they want! Now I am thinking of filling bankruptcy, will i be able to keep my lic. without paying judgement?

Thanks

chinesefood2go

is it required for 5h3 qualifying individual to go through the apprenticeship program? What is the minimum amount yrs for the apprenticeship?

eg2000

We are an out of state contractor company trying to get a California contractor's license. C-61 D-21. Our RME has worked for us for several years (+10), and our company would be the certifier. We are licensed for the same category in 2 other states, same RME. My question is regarding the Certification of Work Experience Form. Under Part 1 - question #2 License Number of Employer. What license number are they asking for? If they are requesting the employer's, which in this case is also the certifier's, CA contractor's license #, well obviously we do not have that yet. Should we say N/A or applying? Or Should we list here the 2 license #'s we do hold in the 2 other states? There is also a contractor (license number) box at bottom of form under relationship. Should we list the 2 license #s there? Or are they specifically requesting for a California contractor license #?

Thank you so much for all your help.

License Guru

Question #2 is for a CA license number. Leave that blank. If the experience was as an employee, put the employers info on lines 2 & 3. In the certifier section, you can put the same employers info and the home state license number. I offer a FREE application review service to all Contractor Talk members. You can email or fax the app to me and I'll take a look.

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REBORN411

i jjust wanted to know what to expect from a inspection for plumbing electrical and building

License Guru

I dont think I understand the question

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SierraRick

License Guru - in some of your earlier replies you mentioned that using experience as an Owner Builder when applying for a B cert was a red flag no-no.

Could you elaborate on this?

The reason I ask is that 5 years ago I took a early leave package from my previous work and embarked on self building a 1500 square foot custom home on a raw lot my wife and I had in the mountains.

Due to the housing boom at the time and the remoteness of the location, I had difficulty getting contractors or subs to take the jobs. Instead, I spent 1 year reading every code book I could find with weekends spent as an unpaid gopher for a local builder to pick up the tricks of the trade that I had forgotten since my days as a framer back in college. Also took some local junior college classes in basic plumbing, welding, HVAC and a refresher on electrical (had an expired AC elec cert from earlier in my career at a phone company).

Bottom line was this - I ended up doing EVERY single aspect of the build myself - all trades - foundation, framing, mechanicals, drywall, roofing, finish, etc. Not tooting my horn too much - but I also passed every inspection with no go-backs.

Along the way, I also ended up working on two other builds for local home owner's looking to set up their vacation/retirement homes as well - one was a kit SIP house and the second a conventional stick built.

What I found at the end of this whole process is that I really loved the work.

Which brings me to today - in the town in which I live I have been assisting a few local banks in rehabbing their foreclosure properties for possible resale. Up until recently, the repairs and upgrades have been mostly minor keeping me under the 500 dollar radar. However, to branch out into working for the big boy banks - I need to be able to legally cross the $500 threshold which means getting licensed. The big boy bankers suggest I get a GC classification which means B license at the least I presume.

In looking at the CSLB requirements for GC - B, I am confident on my knowledge of the law and business as well as ICBO and other related coding. The kicker for me is the "experience" factor.

My only "real" experience as a hired gun was back in college as a framer during the early 80s. Probably no help as I can barely remember my foreman's first name much less his last. My only recent hands-on work was under the Owner-Builder umbrella using the 2 homes in 3 years clause to get around being declared a "builder/developer". Between my own build and the 2 others - I spent 5 1/2 years on the ladder as it were.

I have spoken to the two county inspectors who oversaw my projects and both are willing to sign off on my abilities from their point of view.

Additionally, one of the homeowner's in the subdivision is a current GC who did act as an "eye-in-the-sky" for me to make sure I stayed on track. His only complaint after all was said and done was that I tended to overbuild - a crime I could live with if I had to choose one.

So the deal was going to be this - I would get my B cert for the sole purpose of scoring the higher dollar REO rehabs in town and hopefully make enough money to stay out of debtors prison until I hit social security age - ha, ha.

But I was under the assumption that I could use my O/B time for "experience" - but your earlier posts have given me major doubts about this angle.

Your take and suggestions would be appreciated.

Rick

License Guru

Hello Rick,

Very well stated!

Ok... my opinion on O/B comes from working at the CSLB and having to submit an applicants O/B experience to someone hire up the food chain to evaluate the experience provided. 10 times out of 10 the experience granted to the applicant was always reduced by half, sometimes 2/3. The reason was always given that the applicant did not perform EVERY aspect of the build. Something was always sub'd out.

In your case... you may very well be given the amount of time stated because you did do every trade. I'll assume from your post that you pulled every wire, inserted every bulb, connected every fitting, formed the foundation, poured the concrete, hit every nail, hung every shingle. ?

Submitting O/B is always a crap shoot because the person reviewing your experience can only go by what is written on the paper and space is limited.

Here is what I recommend... submit your experience as self-employed. No pay stubs or W-2's are required. Outline your experience in a way that will pass the app tech during initial review, have a licensed B or building official sign off on the experience and you are golden.

If you have a college degree or trade certs/diploma's to add, submit those as well.

You could also submit the O/B experience as long as it does not overlap with any full time experience you might provide, i.e. "self-employed"

My previous posts on the subject really relate to the guy who does some/most of his own rebuild but does not physically do every aspect of the job.

Does all of that make sense? I do offer a free review of applications to CT members. Or if you like I could do your entire app and state docs for you. Plus I offer exam prep materials at a lower cost than my competitors and also bonding services. Click on my name below for my web site, email addy, and phone. Call me anytime if you'd like to go into more detail.

Thanks for the well written question.

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Phil Cocciante
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jrmama

hello, I'm researching and planning to pursue my C7 Low voltage licensing. I would prefer to do self study. Is a school recommended? If self study has been done for C7, looking for recommended study guides/materials? any suggestions?

Thanks.

License Guru

You came to the right place! Click on my name below for more info. Please call me if you have any questions!

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Phil Cocciante
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treeguy

Hi License Guru,
Two part question. My first application got rejected on a minor technicality. I fixed it and faxed it back in the day I got it in the mail. How long does it usually take before I see that the application was accepted on the website? Also, I am applying for a specialty license and only need to take the Law and Business exam. I have enrolled in Allied Contractor's School and have most of the questions they provided me memorized and also have good comprehension of them as well. I am a bit worried because of some negative postings about this school that I have seen on the internet. What is considered passing on the Law and Business and should I be worried or not?
Thank You