California Licensing

fathersonfab

Hey Guru... I have a quick question.

I haven't sent my app in yet. The contractor who signed my app had a valid license but it is listed as 'inactive' because he is the project manager for a big company. Since he used his personal inactive license number... will the CSLB look at that and give less weight to him being my certifying signature?

License Guru

Fab,

No, having an Inactive Licensee sign off your experience will not affect it. You're safe.

I was wondering...... I'd be interested in reviewing your app. NO CHARGE! I normally charge a fee for this service, but since I'm here in an advisory role only.... If you wouldn't mind faxing it to me. My fax (and I hope I'm not breaking any rules here) is 916 364 0231.

J87513

hey license guru, thank you so much dude, you answer so many questions that I just can't get answered anywhere else

J87513

hey license guru, do you think somebody could fake all their experience and get their license? of course they would have to pass the test, but would they be able to do it?

License Guru

Fab is correct. I also recommend to my clients never NEVER submit owner builder experience. But I dont think that's what he was asking.

Buckleyclan.... if I give any more advice it would borderline legal advice and I cant do that. I suggest contacting a corporate attny who can get you set up. Sorry. But I do recommend inc-ing!!

License Guru

Wow!!!! What a killer compliment. Thank you very much. I'm glad I can help.

Not only can it be done, I'm sure it has been. In fact, I know it has been done. I suppose I could tell you how.... but that would be unethical.

Chris Johnson

Guru...

I currently have a B and C-8 license in California

Originally I hail from Ontario Canada, there I hold a tile setters certificate, which I know doesn't mean jack in California.

I get requests to do small tile jobs here and there and I'll admit I have done a few of them. Question is...Am I okay doing this work under the 'B' license, or must I 'legally' obtain a 'C' classification for the tile work? If so, do I do the standard fill out the additional classification forms, write the trade portion and go from there?

License Guru

Hi Chris,

Experience out of the country can be used, even education.

If you are contracting specifically for the tile work, then yes, you need the C-54 class. If the tile work is part of the over all project consisting of framing & 2 unrelated trades (tile) then you're fine.

Yes, the Add Class app and a $50 filing fee to the State and you're set to test.

btw... my mother was born in Toronto... so I guess that makes me part Canadian... "A"?

Chris Johnson

Yes, I knew the experience rating counted from out of country, that was how I qualified for the first two licenses.

So, there is a lot of debate that has happened here in prior threads

Holding a B license allows you to frame and complete 2 unrelated trades, so we have the tile here as you pointed out and I'm guessing painting would be another trade to qualify it as 'legal'

What about framing along with say electrical and plumbing as the two unrelated trades? does that work? Both electrical and plumbing are trades that can be fatal if done incorrectly. I also ask this because in Ontario the only licensed tradesmen were plumbing, electrical and gas fitters...all trades that if errors are made life is at risk.

By the way, it's spelled 'EH!' - Remember Bob and Doug MacKenzie?

Z's dad

Any tips Guru?????

License Guru

Thanks for the spelling correction. I racked my Canadian/Italian/American brain for a few seconds and couldn't come up with itl

Yes, framing and plumbing and/or roofing and/or electrical and/or concrete and/or HVAC, etc.

My advice (to those applying for the B) is not to stick with just "getting by" Even though the code states Framing and at least 2 unrelated, I would never allow a client to just submit three trades as his experience. Another one of those red flags that was discussed earlier.

Hope that helps.

License Guru

Sorry, didn't intend to skip this one.

Yes, you're name has been flagged and your app will take a little longer to get processed but it will be accepted.

I suggest you list your experience beginning with 2002, no need to go back further and the CSLB already said they didn't like that experience.

You're not likely to make the same mistake twice so I'll assume you'll get a contractor who holds the same classification who has first hand knowledge of your experience to certify you. Dont worry about doing jobs over the $ limit. When you list your experience DO NOT list individual projects. Big no no.

If you do that you will be fine. I'd be happy to review your app for you with the Contractor Talk discount *FREE* if you like. Send me a PM or an email & I'll shoot my fax number to you.

May I ask how old you were in 2002?? If your first app was randomly selected for review I'd be floored. There must have been something else that caught someones attention.

Z's dad

Thanks so much for you input!!!!

In 2002 I was 25. Does age have anything to do with the application process??

415moto

Guru, so that the case?
As a GC, can I do plumbing, and electric, and gas for hvac even though I dont have the separate lic. for each trade? As well as doing the trim and paint on the project? I am not limited to just framing and contracting? As long as I do 2 or more un related trades in addition to framing, I can legally do as many as I want on a job, ie frame and then rough in electric, gas, plumbing, drywall and stucco on a job? A GC can do more than 2 in addition to framing, or is he limited to just 2 in addition to framing? Does cabinetry and trim fall under carpentry/framing?

A.W.Davis

Hey Guru

I am wanting to attain my c-10 I already have my b-general. Can I just go into csls and start taking classes for the c-10 license or is there more to it?

Also you mention framing in a remodel as one of the requirements as a B-general. I do kitchen and bathroom remodels and sometimes never do any framing, is that a general requirement? I am doing the drywall,tile,plumbing,electrical,painting etc.

Bkessler

My first application for my c10 was denied i think the reason was not enough information on may past work experience, so I put more info in a little more detail about the work I had done and then denied again. So I called and told the girl there was a lot of info and far beyond the required amount of time needed. And she said does your application have the voltages you worked on? So I added one sentence to each job that said , And I worked on 12 120 240 480 and 5k VOLTS. And they accepted it after that.

License Guru

Applicants who are 21, 22, 23 would be looked at as "Young Journeyman" and a deeper review would take place to ensure you have the experience required. But at 25, that shouldn't have been the case. Now that you're 30+ you wont have a problem. Just list your experience over the last 5+ year period and you're good to go.

License Guru

The short answer is Yes. The limitations are that you cant adverstise or contract for those individual C classes if you do not have those classes on your license. So Yes, you can do all of those trades as long as they are part of the over all project contracted for.

License Guru

Submit your add class app to the state with $50 showing at least 4 years of C-10 experience and you'll qualify for the exam.

A "B" license would be required for kitchen/bath remodels because you are doing several trades. Often times involving framing, but not always.

License Guru

WOW! She asked if you included voltages you worked on?? That's idiotic!! In my processing of client C-10 apps I'll add that, but as a technician processing C-10 apps at the board I NEVER rejected an app because 110 or 220 wasn't listed. "She" was idiot! Sorry, just a my opinion.

Was this for an original license or an additional classification to an existing license?