California Licensing

AlanRT

BTW, does it help at all to mention in my application that I was a concurrent-licensed C-10 and C-36 for several years in the 1980s?

License Guru

When the tech reviews the app they will do a history search and see that you were previously licensed. The C10/C36 experience can/should be outlined on the work experience form.

In case you didn't come across the post (buried in here somewhere), I offer a free app review to CT members.

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AlanRT

Saw that, Phil, thanks so much. I've got to solve this certification problem first!

License Guru

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jdremodels

Love the site, there is lots of good info on here! I moved to CA around a year ago and am just getting around to getting my CA contractor's license. I'm doing handyman and remodeling but want to be legal to take on bigger projects. Anyway.... I have experience working with my brother-in-law in Iowa and also lived in Wisconsin and worked remodeling there too. My question is how to go about filling out the certification of work experience form. I have the required 4 years of work experience from my self employed experience, but do have a year of employment mixed in the last few years. should put my experience as self-employed and omit the experience from working for the company in WI? Should I have my brother-in-law vouch for me?(he is licensed in Iowa) Any advice would be much appreciated!

License Guru

Hey JD,

Welcome to CT.

You could do either or both. If it's all full time experience the dates can't overlap, so, whatever is easier for you to do. Usually the easiest is to list self employed for X years and have your certifier sign off. This is where Alan is stuck above, but I'm sure he'll figure it out.

Put your app together and email or fax it to me to review. You can leave out your drivers lic # and ssn if you like.

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jdremodels

thanks for the quick reply. I have read that it is best not to have homeowners/clients be the certifier but haven't seen anything about using an out of state licensed contractor as a certifier. since my experience is from multiple states, should I get several people to certify my work experience? I could probably get a friend of mine who is licensed in CA to certify my experience though I guess he wouldn't technically have first-hand knowledge of my experience seeing as though we didn't live in the same state.

License Guru

Does your brother in law have first hand knowledge? And it's ok if you're from out of state.. we won't hold that against you. Except to ask why you'd want to move here in the first place.

Keep it simple, one work experience page showing 4 years or more, have the licensed BIL sign off and you're all set.

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jdremodels

I worked with/for him for a few years and he has seen and heard about my projects, but like I said he lives in Iowa and I'm in CA. I just don't want to raise any red-flags as much of my experience would be difficult to actually document.

Thanks again for your help.

License Guru

It will be fine. Getting your experience out of state is not a red flag. No worries.

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momosgarage

Can a licensed engineers or architects in California certify work experience or does it need to be a contractor? If they can certify experience, are there any red flags or other downsides that would make a CSLB technician reject experience? As I stated in an earlier I am looking to take the C-27 Landscaping Contractor exam.

License Guru

No, the certifier does not need to be a contractor. Although the Board does what it wants, when it wants, a tech should not reject or suspect a certifier if they checked the Business Associate, or Journeyman box. As long as the certifier has "direct" knowledge of your experience and understands that they are signing under the penalty of perjury, there shouldn't be an issue.

Red flags... the techs look for keywords in the experience outline for each trade. Those key words are written down or issued to the techs, they are just looking for words that related directly with your trade. The exeption being the B class where they are looking for "framing" and at least two other trades. If they don't see framing in the outline.. bam.. rejected.

I may have a sample of C-27 experience on my other PC. If you'd like to email me I'll send it to you.

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AlanRT

OK. Coming at this from another angle, would it be easier to try and resurrect my old C-10 license (held mid 80s)?

Do I still need to provide certification for four years within the last 10 as for a new license?

Is any weight given for previously holding a license in the same classification?

License Guru

Easier??? Not necessarily. You will still have to take both the law and business and trade exams again and you will still need to show experience from the last 10 years.

I just did an app for a client whose license expired 7 years ago. He did not have to show experience but has to sit for the exams.

You can get the old number reissued and most likely you'd want to. I'm guessing the number is in the 5's or 6's.

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AlanRT

Close, 425955

chaka

Hi Phil,

Remember me? You have given me great advice over the past months. Now I am back.

I am the licensed (C33) and insured decorative painter in SF. I do not carry workman's comp because I work alone on smaller jobs. I am now bidding a large job and need to bring in another decorative artist with me. If they are also licensed and insured how is the contract structured? Based on CA rules do I have to run the contract through me and 1099 him? Is there any other way to do it? If necessary, where can I get info on the 1099 process?

Thanks so much,

Cher

License Guru

Hey Cher,

You could apply for a Joint Venture license with the cslb. Or I believe you could go the 1099 route. A CPA might give you better advice on how to go about that or if it's the best way for you to go.

I'll attach the JV app here.

Attached Files

ApplicationForJointVentureContractorsLicense.pdf (165.1 KB, 84 views)

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chaka

Thanks for your quick response!

miaolinwei

Hi, License Guru, I have a question, a general licensed B contractor whom i worked for sign off on my experience page, but he didnt write anything on the experience field, he said write it myself, after i am done give him a copy.

I don't really know how to write it to make it look appropriate and good enough for the application. I am trying to apply for a B license.

Thank you very much for the help.

License Guru

I could show you a sample if you send me an email.

A condensed sample... "experience includes residential and commercial construction including framing, plumbing, electrical, hvac, concrete...etc"

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