California Licensing

License Guru

Do you want to create a partnership license with your brother-in-law? That is certainly an option.

Yes, I do offer an app review for CT members. You can fax or email it to me and I'll have a look.

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Phil Cocciante
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treeguy

Hi Phil,
You have been a great help in the recent past and I was hoping you could answer a few more questions for me. I take my license exam on the 13th of April. On the notice to appear for exam it states that getting licensed after passing the exam can take 6-8 weeks. My question is this, provided I pass, is this accurate or does it usually happen sooner than that. If I provide the CSLB with everything they need, ie, bond and workers comp info, is there any way to speed up getting the license number? If they do an investigation into my work experience, I'm assuming it may take longer. How often does this happen? I ask these questions because I would like to begin advertising, but I am aware of the fact that I need a license number to do this.
Thanks for your time, treeguy

License Guru

Hi treeguy,

The cslb website states their issuance unit is 3 weeks behind. So you can guesstimate that your number will be issued 3 weeks after your exam date.

Unfortunately there is no way of speeding this up.

Regarding the investigating of your experience. It does happen as some CT members have stated. The State is mandated to review 3% of all apps received. So out of the 40,000 plus apps they receive a year, roughly 1200 get looked at. (but I'm sure it's far less than that). I think you'll be ok.

Good luck on your exam!

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Phil Cocciante
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treeguy

Thanks again Phil. Much appreciated.
Treeguy

mr.anthonycatuc

Im have my license for California and I have to get my repricosity for Arizona. I have the experience for the trade waiver, but still need to take the business and law portion. Are the two tests similar or should I study something completely different?

License Guru

Thanks for the question. Unfortunately I have no experience with the AZ test so I don't know how similar they are.

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Phil Cocciante
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mr.anthonycatuc

Im getting some info from the Dewalt exam books. I wrote :Thanks", I didn't mean that sarcastically. I just put it in saying thanks for responding hahahahaha. If you find out any info let me know.

encore

Hello I have been doing home remodeling in NY, and have recently moved here to California. I primarily want to work doing full remodel of kitchens and bathroom also to include additions (framing, insulatioin, wiring, plumbing, sheetrock, painting, flooring... ect), , but would like to also take on solo project such as decks, flooring, roofing (think I can do it as long as I also include changing facia).
From what I have read on the CSLB I can only do work that has 2 types of classifications or more, but can take primary contracts for framing. I would guess that the full kitchen/bathroom remodels and additions are covered in the class B lisense, but that I will need to get speciality license to do any of the the solo project. the flooring jobs I also instal baseboard, would that cover me under class be?

I gues this post is really all in a form of a question as I am not sure of the requirement for filing of building permit out here.

Any help would really be apprciated.

William soto

JumboJack

A B license can do framing and carpentry work.
You can take a prime contract if it requires two or more unrelated trades not counting framing/carpentry.
A B license could not take a roofing contract if all he was doing was the roof and replacing the facia..

From the CSLB website...
(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.

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in texas with framing and cornish people will do it for 3.00 a foot. What do yall think about that? Just laber

License Guru

Yeah!! What he said!

Thanks JumboJack

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Phil Cocciante
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Chris Johnson

Let's expand on this convoluted statement now and open up the cantankerous policies that everyone here argues about.

If a Licensed 'B' Contractor takes on a prime contract to remodel a kitchen, he is allowed to do the framing/carpentry work in house as well as the electrical and plumbing if he so wishes. At the same time he can drywall and paint as well. And while at it he runs a new exhaust duct for the range and discovers the owner needs a new roof and completes those tasks as well...all in house, he or his direct employees, no subs.

All this from a simple kitchen remodel and the fact he holds a valid Class B License and the fact he did not advertise or contract for the specialty trade by itself, he promoted kitchen remodels.

If this is incorrect, please advise as this has been an ongoing issue for as long as I can remember.

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Chris

License Guru

In that scenerio, I believe the B holder is well within his classification to perform all of those trades/tasks/projects. Signed change orders in place of course.

How he promotes his business is not an issue.

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Phil Cocciante
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Chris Johnson

So, just reading between the lines here Phil, it really is a grey (gray) area. See, not picking on you or anyone, but the CSLB has no clear answer on this, no one will come out and say...

A Licensed Class B can contract as a GC and complete all tasks himself (Excl. Sprinklers and Swimming Pools per CSLB)

or

A Licensed Class B can contract as a GC and complete the framing/carpentry related tasks but must contract with specialty licensed trades for all other tasks beyond framing/carpentry. Basically if a specialty license is available the GC cannot perform that scope of work himself unless licensed in that/those fields, he must contract with a specialty licensed individual/company.


What I was refering to in promoting is a Gen. B cannot advertise he is a plumber or electrician or any trade as they are specialty trades requiring a specialty C license (Hence why I carry a B and C-8), but can advertise kitchen remodels (or whatever, just an example) yet do all the specialty trade items in house without using specialty licensed subs.

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Chris

License Guru

It's State government! They are "gray" by definition. LOL Being gray gives them the latitude to make up the rules as they go along.

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Phil Cocciante
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Chris Johnson

So once we think we have it figured out, they come along and say, no, no we meant this, not that.

Nice.

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Chris

MacRoadie

As a "B", I can take a prime contract to build a structure, or remodel a structure (kitchen, bath, you name it). If the scope of work involves 2 or more trades (other than carpentry), I can self-perform all of the work, sub out all the work, or self-perform the framing/carpentry and sub out the rest of the work.

As a "B", I can also enter into framing and carpentry subcontracts without limitation.

As a "B", I cannot enter into a subcontract agreement for any work other than framing/carpentry (IE sign a contract to install a roof).

License Guru

My answer to all 3 would be Yes.

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Phil Cocciante
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bbwolf5

I moved here a year ago and started a handyman co. with every intention of getting a license but the O.C. police decided one day that they were bored and stopped me cause I had the same name as someone that was wanted in L.a. When they found I was not this person they proceeded to lie to me about a knife I had and told me it was a felony and searched my truck where they found a gun!! O.K. perfectly legal in New Orleans where I have actually helped cops out in tight situations and they were grateful. So at 42 yrs old and never been arrested in my life they decide I am a criminal. I had charges reduced to a misdemeanor but am on probation. I have been told I can not get a license while on probation. Is this true?
I have 20 yrs exp. and 3yrs unexpected having gotten out of the business before Katrina and having to go back to it.

Thanks in advance for your time!!

BBwolf5

License Guru

They do look at the charge and the length of time since the charge. Since it was a year ago or less and you are on probation and it was a weapons possesion charge, I believe your app will be rejected.

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Phil Cocciante
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encore

A friend I have here seem to think that if your filing for a c-10 that you don't have to take the Law and Business exam.... Is her right?

Also the exams for class B, is it longer than the other license exams?


Thank you once again...