California Licensing

Taihe

Phil, I am new to this site but have a legitimate question or two. I was raised in a construction family and have been in the business for as long as I can remember (mostly kitchen and bath remodels). I am currently pursuing a CA "B" license and am wondering how I should approach my experience. I have been self employed for a long time and was wondering if I check self employed can I have an electrical contractor sign off on my experience. Can you give me some direction?

Thanks,
Taihe

License Guru

Welcome to CT Taihe,

Self employed is perfectly acceptable, but if you use a licensed contractor to be your certifier he/she must hold the same classification or above. In your case you'll need another B license holder.

The certifier just needs to be someone who is familiar with your work. Another jouryman, union rep, business associate, employer or fellow employee. Dont use clients because they can only certify to the specific project you did for them.

If you have other questions about the process or the app, study materials, etc., feel free to ask!

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Phil Cocciante
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Taihe

Thank you so much for the quick response. I am very nervous about getting this right the first time. I still want to use the same guy but will list him as a business associate. Will that work? In addition, do I need to supply anything else to CSLB as far as experience go? Will my friend be required to take any action?

License Guru

No worries, you'll do fine.

Using the same certifier could possibly be an issue. The tech reviewing your app will, in all likelyhood, not check to see if someone has a license if they don't indicate they are licensed. But (have to use a But to cover all bases) if your app is one of the 3% that is pulled for investigation and they contact the certifier and he say's he has a C-10 licensee they will reject the experience due to lack of proper certification.

Having said that, it is just a very slim possiblity but I want you to know what could happen.

I offer a free app review to CT members. Many members have taken advantage of it (or me - j/k lol). I'll make sure everything is where it should be and your experience is properly detailed. I don't need/want your personal info so you can leave that section blank if you like.

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Phil Cocciante
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ready for const

Hi License Guru,

Well today I was filling in my application with a cd my buddy gave me told help get my contractors license and i was listening to the man speak and he said anyone under the age of 25 needs to show proof of work... Well i have read in many of your other post that they only check 3% of the app. Well i have been working for a man for the past 4 1/2 years as a helper but full time... i dont really have the proof to show that i have been employed with him since he doesnt not do big jobs so i kinda was helping... is there any other way to show proof besides the pay or the w2... thanks for your help

JumboJack

In those 4 1/2 years did you work at a journeyman level or supervisory roll in at least 4 trades?That is one requirement.

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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

ready for const

yes i did work as a journyman level i did framing, and drywall and the finish work for the company

JumboJack

For 4 years at that level?

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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

ready for const

yes same guy started when i was 17 left high school and started working this is my life long dream and i love this industry

JumboJack

So at 17 you where already a journeyman?

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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

1st of all... what is your age? The 3% rule is for all apps received. If you are 23 or younger you will be classified as a young journeyman and will be required to show w-2's, pay stubs, tax returns. I don't know the stats on how many "young journeyman" were allowed to be issued but I believe it's a low number.

So to answer your question directly, no, there is no other way what I listed above.

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MacRoadie

I believe he stated in another thread that he is 21.

License Guru

Yeah, I found that thread after posting to this one. Thanks.

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Phil Cocciante
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Contractor Jack

Hi Phil,

I have a question regarding the California CSLB and how they might use B & P Code Section 7145.5 to obtain state tax information on an applicant:

My B license expired a few years ago and I neglected to renew. At the time I was just hired by a GC friend as a Project Manager who pays me a modest hourly rate as an "Independant" i.e. I am not an employee, but still operating as a Project Manager on my expired GC licence. He 1099's me and I pay taxes to the feds and State, filing forms 1040 and 540 respectively, as a "Construction Business".

Since I am only getting a modest hourly rate, and nothing extra to cover the costs of operating a business, I rationalized to myself that for that economic reason I would not pay the substantial renewal and associated bond fees.

I realize now that this decision was in poor judgement, and the threat of being "found out" has been weighing on me. I want to get back on the program, and have already started the process, having requested and recieved the "Delinquent Renewal Application". After thoroughly reading the form I am now hesitant to file, because by doing so I will apparently "authorize The Franchise Tax Board to provide CSLB with required tax information pursuant to B & P Code Section 7145.5"

I have read Code Section 7145.5, and it seems that it's primary purpose is to permit CSLB to check and see if I owe any back-taxes to the State of California before they will renew my delinquent licence. IOW; the state ain't giving you a licence till you pay them any back taxes you might owe them. Understandable, and a similar code is used by the DMV to insure you pay off your parking tickets before they will renew your vehicle registration.

Now, I don't owe the State any back taxes, so I'm not worried about the above. What I am worried about is that CSLB might also use this code section to closely analyze my state tax records and discover that I have been filing State taxes as a "Construction Business" for all those years that my GC license was "delinquent" (clearly a code violation). Then come after me for severe penalties and legal prosecution, and possibly make trouble for my GC friend too.

So finally to my question: Am I being a little paranoid to envision this scenario? Would CSLB analyze my state tax records in this way and come after me and my friend?

With California state government having run up a $27 billion deficit and declining state tax revenues, I think there's a real concern that state regulatory agencies such as CSLB, might be getting the orders from higher up, to step up enforcement and collection actions against minor code violators such as myself, in a desperate effort to keep the money coming in.

I just want to get back on the program. But I'm afraid in doing so I might be handing them the rope to hang me with. Times are hard right now, and the last thing I need is to walk myself into a "Gotcha!" trap and have the state get deeper into my pockets.

Phil, I have read many of your helpful posts replying to other current and would-be contractors on here, and you really seem to know your stuff. Please know that I am aware you are not an attorney and cannot give me any legal advice, nor am I asking for such. I am just asking for your opinion, if you think CSLB would use B & P Code Section 7145.5 to put the screws on me?

Sorry everyone, for such a long-winded first post.

License Guru

Long winded yes... but very well written!!!

Let me preface my statement by saying..... anything is possible. (a little cma)

Ok... if there are no liens or judgments on your license you should be fine. The tech processing your app will not seek out information pertaining to your tax and/or business history. They just dont have the time for it. If you look up your license on the CSLB website, it will/should indicate if there are any judgments against you. If it shows nothing and you still aren't convinced, let me know what your license number is and I'll call a friend at the board to verify.

If you don't want to post your license number here, you can click on my name below to email it to me.

Welcome to CT btw!

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Phil Cocciante
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Contractor Jack

Thank you for the compliment, and your prompt response! Clearly this is your vocation.

This was exactly the kind of answer I was hoping to get. There are no liens or judgements on my licence. I shall go ahead and file the application and not worry about it. It's such a huge relief, because had you sent up the red flag and warned that I might be , then I was looking at relocating my sorry butt to another State and applying for a new GC licence, and make a fresh start with a clean slate. It's really tough and expensive to stay in compliance with CA business regulations. But I've lived here for 23 years now, this is where my family lives, where my job network is. Hopefully I can stay out of any future trouble.

Thanks for your help. BTW; I frequently encounter young tradesmen who express an interest in "getting their licence". I will be referring them to your website with a hearty recommendation!

CaliJoe

Hi Phil,

Thanks for all the great insight! I'll be ordering your study program as well.

Where can I send you my app to ummm... "take advantage" of your generosity towards CT members and have it reviewed?

License Guru

Hi CaliJoe,

Click on my name below. The contact us page has a fax number and email address. You can send your app to me either way.

And thank you for indicating you'll be purchasing my materials. I look forward to receiving your order.

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Mom

Hi Phil,

My husband runs a handyman business and just now passed his exams.

He does have a good website for his handyman business that drives a lot of traffic and gets daily visitors. Some of them ask for bigger projects which we've been referring to my uncle who is a GC. My question is can we keep running the handyman business/website (its a sole proprietorship) and plus register an S corp for the general contracting business?

Does CSLB allow him to run both or?

I myself am an internet marketer and my point is I've invested a lot of time into local search marketing and search engine optimization for the website to just throw it away or delete it.

Please advice..

Thanks!

License Guru

Good Evening and Welcome to CT.

Please accept my sincerest apology for not answering your post sooner.

The CSLB wont care about the two businesses... but:

The handyman service can not go above the $500 limit in material + labor and he can not reference his contractors license number in any way. They must be kept separate.

I think, though, that you might run into problems. Just seems like the two will eventually overlap some how. Probably with a dissatisfied customer. Maybe some of the contractors in the forum could give you a better perspective.

You mentioned you do internet marketing! I'm in serious need of someone who could drive more business to my site and to me. If you could help me, I would really appreciate it. Click on my name below to go to my site.

Thanks for your question, and again I'm really sorry for not replying sooner.

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Phil Cocciante
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