California Licensing

License Guru

They only have to take the Law/Biz exam one time. So if he/she has a license then they would only have to take the trade exam to add the C-10.

All of the exams are roughly the same length. 150 questions. If a B class holder on the forum would like to answer this question, please jump in.

__________________
Phil Cocciante
You've got Questions? I've got Answers!

Chris Johnson

When I came to California I completed my C-8 first, both trade and law, upgraded to a B couple years ago and only had to write the trade portion...What an insult.

The B exam was silly to say the least, i.e. How many interior doors on this plan or a gallon of paint covers 350 sq.ft. of surface how many gallons are needed in the kitchen.

Mind you the C-8 wasn't that difficult either, calc out rebar and concrete more or less

If I remember it is 150 questions, each exam and 2 or 2 1/2 hours to complete it.

__________________
Chris

jcb1801

I'm currently applying for a GC license in California. My question pertains to education credit in the eyes of the CSLB. I hold a BA in geography in addition to the requisite field experience in the trades. I would like to include my education on my application if it could prop up my experience. Is a degree in geography going to win me any experience credit? Moreover, does the CSLB accept most 4 year degrees for some credit, or is the education portion limited to the disciplines their website specifically lists? Thanks for any comments.

License Guru

Welcome to CT!

Any degree is acceptable. You will get at least one year of credit towards your experience. More time is given when the degree relates directly to the trade you are applying for. i.e. Const. Mngmnt degree applying for a B-Gen Bldg or Engineering degree applying for the A-Gen Eng license will get 2 or 3 years of credit. Submit your transcripts with the application and you'll be good.

__________________
Phil Cocciante
You've got Questions? I've got Answers!

bbwolf5

Thanks that's what I thought. what about getting a license for a lesser field like building fences or something.

License Guru

You would get 1 year of credit for all trades.

__________________
Phil Cocciante
You've got Questions? I've got Answers!

J87513

Hey Anthony, the Arizona law test is easy, don't sweat it. Look on the AZROC website for the law test. Buy the official book, I forgot the name, and study it all day everyday for about a week. All of the answers are from this book, it's white and paperback and is like 1/2" thick with a green picture in the front.

Patriot Scape

License Guru:
I have a question relating to my eligible experience for the C-27.
I am wondering how many years experience I have from the following:
- I have a 4-year degree (BS in Finance) from a small business university with coursework including accounting, business administration, production & operations management, statistics, marketing, computer information systems, etc. Would submitting my transcript equal 2 years experience?
-I have had a landscape maintenance business (self-employed) for the last 4 years maintaining lawns & gardens for about 40-50 different clients. In conjunction with the maintenance duties, I have performed several projects involving irrigation installation & repairs, drainage installation, sod & plant installations, etc.
Does landscape maintenance amount to any experience in the eyes of the CSLB? Also, does any of the installation/repair work qualify for experience even though I was performing these duties as an unlicensed contractor?
-I have also done several projects for a "house flipper" in the past 1 1/2 years performing landscape installs for foreclosure properties that they re-hab. Is it beneficial to list this experience as well, and have the client sign off on these? Or would this be a "no-no" seeing that I was operating without a license?

The bottom line is that I want to take the C-27 exam but I want to be sure that I have the necessary experience without listing anything that might be a red flag. Do you think I have enough from the items listed above? And which should I list/ not list on the application? Any advice you can provide would be a great help.

License Guru

Hello Patriot Scape. Welcome to CT.

-I have a 4-year degree (BS in Finance) from a small business university with coursework including accounting, business administration, production & operations management, statistics, marketing, computer information systems, etc. Would submitting my transcript equal 2 years experience? You will get 1 year towards the 4 required.

-I have had a landscape maintenance business (self-employed) for the last 4 years maintaining lawns & gardens for about 40-50 different clients. In conjunction with the maintenance duties, I have performed several projects involving irrigation installation & repairs, drainage installation, sod & plant installations, etc.
Does landscape maintenance amount to any experience in the eyes of the CSLB? Yes. Also, does any of the installation/repair work qualify for experience even though I was performing these duties as an unlicensed contractor? Yes. The CSLB knows and/or assumes that you are working under the $500 limit. Staying under the cap does not discount your experience.

-I have also done several projects for a "house flipper" in the past 1 1/2 years performing landscape installs for foreclosure properties that they re-hab. Is it beneficial to list this experience as well, and have the client sign off on these? Or would this be a "no-no" seeing that I was operating without a license? You should list all of your experience. It's not a "no-no." And you could use this client as a certifier for that time frame.

The bottom line is that I want to take the C-27 exam but I want to be sure that I have the necessary experience without listing anything that might be a red flag. Do you think I have enough from the items listed above? And which should I list/ not list on the application? I don't see any red flags and from what you described I think you have plenty of experience.

The key is how you list the experience on the app. It looks like you'll have two work experience forms. 1 for the self employed and 1 for the house flipper. Plus your degree should give you 6 1/2 years total (as long as the time does not overlap).

I'd be happy to extend my CT forum members offer of a free app review. You can email or fax it to me and I'll look it over and give you my suggestions, if any, on how to improve it. Or you could use my service and I'll complete your state docs for you. Click on my name to view my site.

I hope this helps and thanks for the post.

__________________
Phil Cocciante
You've got Questions? I've got Answers!

wireless

Does applying for a new corporate license with already having a personal license require the initial license fee?

License Guru

Yes. $400.. $250 for the app fee, $150 for the initial license fee. Whether or not you keep the sole owner license number, you still have to pay the full $400.

__________________
Phil Cocciante
You've got Questions? I've got Answers!

Patriot Scape

Thanks Phil. I will probably email you the app. for your review.
One additional question...If I am planning on starting an LLC or S-Corp, is it better to change the organization of the business first, and then take the test under the business name rather than as an individual? or does it matter? currently I am a sole proprietorship. Thanks again.

License Guru

You cant do an LLC, not allowed. But I suggest you apply as a corp if that's what you plan to do in the future. Otherwise you'll have to reapply as the corp and pay another $400 plus get a new bond.

__________________
Phil Cocciante
You've got Questions? I've got Answers!

jcb1801

If I choose to make my business a corporation (vs sole ownership), will I be required to submit any additional paperwork before receiving a General-B license? Any additional start-up expenses associated with corporate format?

Much Thanks.

License Guru

There is no additional paperwork associated with the contractors license app when filing for a corporate license.

You can file for your own corp number for $100 or have an online company do it for you for under $200. I know that the yearly tax on an S corp is $800, but I'm not sure what the taxes are on a C corp. You should ask your CPA to make sure which would be better for you.

__________________
Phil Cocciante
You've got Questions? I've got Answers!

acer66

What kind of book is used during the test?
The CA code book?

Thank you

License Guru

No books allowed in to the testing center.

__________________
Phil Cocciante
You've got Questions? I've got Answers!

toorip

Questions for you License Guru:
This is all for California
1. I need four years experience for a general contracting license, would a union job as an apprentice electrician journeymen or wiremen qualify in my application for a general or electrical contracting license?
2. How many years would my certificate in construction management count torwards experience wise?
3. My goal is to go union to learn electrician and get my experience ready for my general license
4. If I go union, could I leave after I earn my license to start my own contracting company?

Thanks for any help.

License Guru

I hope I answered your questions satisfactorily. Let me know if there is anything else I can do for you.

__________________
Phil Cocciante
You've got Questions? I've got Answers!

toorip

Thanks alot man, that answered everything so well!