California Licensing - Page 22 - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

afkama · 10-17-2009, 04:01 PM

I recently used Phil's services in reviewing my contractor's lic. application.
Saved me a lot of grief. I know several people who are also in the process of applying who had their apps kicked back. I was able to avoid this by following Phil's specific advice. For the amount of time and hand holding I required it was well worth the money. I know I wouldn't work as cheap as he does.
Thanks Phil, and especially Thanks for all the valuable advice you contribute here for free.

Michael

miaolinwei · 10-18-2009, 02:43 PM

Hi, Phil, gotta bother you again, the school I signed up with, gave me a booklet of law to look over, and told me there is no book for trade(they said the trade section will be covered at the 2 day course). But I just got my exam date, and the school I signed up with, sent over something, and told me to buy their law and trade book again(and said because of the recent high failure rate). I mean i paid the money already, I thought I should got everything I need, now they told me to get more books.

So Phil, I don't really want to spent anymore money, but do you think I ll pass without buying more books? Please give some suggestions, if I have to, please suggest book/s that will let me pass on the first or second try.

License Guru · 10-18-2009, 02:59 PM

WOW!!!! They sold you a law book then said there was no trade book until you went to the 2day class? Then wanted you to buy a new law book? I don't suppose you'd care to tell me who this company is? Maybe you could email it to me?

Recent failure rates makes no sense and sounds more like a ploy to get you to buy more of their stuff... which I would suggest against!!

What trade are you testing for?

I offer the best materials available, including materials for ALL trades. The cslb site does recommend some books to review. You might want to start there, but those books wont necessarily prepare you for the exams. Let me know which trade you need, I might be able to help you out.

NICKPAUS · 10-18-2009, 03:01 PM

[quote=miaolinwei;789868]Hi, Phil, gotta bother you again, the school I signed up with, gave me a booklet of law to look over, and told me there is no book for trade(they said the trade section will be covered at the 2 day course). But I just got my exam date, and the school I signed up with, sent over something, and told me to buy their law and trade book again(and said because of the recent high failure rate). I mean i paid the money already, I thought I should got everything I need, now they told me to get more books.

So Phil, I don't really want to spent anymore money, but do you think I ll pass without buying more books? Please give some suggestions, if I have to, please suggest book/s that will let me pass on the first or second try.[/quote

The school I went to only taught the Law portion. That was the hard part of the test. The trade part was easy for me but I had 10 years experience in all aspects of a build from ground up. Study the law the trade questions should be in your head.

License Guru · 10-18-2009, 03:05 PM

Hey miaolinwei, I found your other post stating you're applying for the B. I can help you out. Click on my name below and send me an email.

irishtilelad · 10-24-2009, 05:18 PM

. ...

BKFranks · 10-24-2009, 07:11 PM

[quote=NICKPAUS;789874]

Quote:

Originally Posted by miaolinwei

Hi, Phil, gotta bother you again, the school I signed up with, gave me a booklet of law to look over, and told me there is no book for trade(they said the trade section will be covered at the 2 day course). But I just got my exam date, and the school I signed up with, sent over something, and told me to buy their law and trade book again(and said because of the recent high failure rate). I mean i paid the money already, I thought I should got everything I need, now they told me to get more books.

So Phil, I don't really want to spent anymore money, but do you think I ll pass without buying more books? Please give some suggestions, if I have to, please suggest book/s that will let me pass on the first or second try.[/quote

The school I went to only taught the Law portion. That was the hard part of the test. The trade part was easy for me but I had 10 years experience in all aspects of a build from ground up. Study the law the trade questions should be in your head.

Seems like you would use the book they provided you previously and offer you the updates when you attended the class. I wouldn't buy the new book. Sounds like a scam. The school I went to only offered a law book and CD. The first day of the 2 day class basically went over that book and offered practice tests for the law only. Day 2 was nothing but trade practice tests. I could have spent all day going over the test, but I only stayed half the day because I knew the information well. Passed the both tests easily.

License Guru · 10-24-2009, 08:19 PM

[quote=BKFranks;793978]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NICKPAUS

Seems like you would use the book they provided you previously and offer you the updates when you attended the class. I wouldn't buy the new book. Sounds like a scam. The school I went to only offered a law book and CD. The first day of the 2 day class basically went over that book and offered practice tests for the law only. Day 2 was nothing but trade practice tests. I could have spent all day going over the test, but I only stayed half the day because I knew the information well. Passed the both tests easily.

I've always been confused why so many people use the 2 day class program.

A friend of mine was offered a job by one of the "schools." He is a teacher by profession but doesnt know a hammer from a drill, yet they offered him a job at 50k a year.

So I know these "schools" dont hire people who have any construction experience.

BKFranks · 10-24-2009, 08:23 PM

[quote=License Guru;794009]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BKFranks

I've always been confused why so many people use the 2 day class program.

A friend of mine was offered a job by one of the "schools." He is a teacher by profession but doesnt know a hammer from a drill, yet they offered him a job at 50k a year.

So I know these "schools" dont hire people who have any construction experience.

Maybe for access to their test questions. I have to say the school I used, a lot of the questions were on the test.

Christine Emma · 10-26-2009, 03:31 PM

Hi

I'm scheduled to take the C-33 Painting & CA Law and Business exam for the first time on friday this week. Been studying a lot, mostly using test prep manuals and wiki, but I still feel ill prepared. There's soooo much information to commit to memory! If anyone has any advice of what to expect or how to prepare please let me know. I want to pass this on the first try having invested so much time (time is $$$). Thanks!!!

Christine Emma · 10-26-2009, 03:48 PM

License Guru-

I've just been checking out your site... wish I had discovered it sooner.

License Guru · 10-27-2009, 12:09 AM

I wish you had also.

encore · 10-27-2009, 04:06 PM

Hello Guru

If i remember some of what I have read on this site, you could use work experiance as part of the 4 years required even if you were working for yourself under the table. Is that still so?

I went to the CSLB website and read over some of their answer and questions. I did not see a form to fill out for using work that I have done on my own. What I did see was a form for working as an owner builder.

License Guru · 10-27-2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

If i remember some of what I have read on this site, you could use work experiance as part of the 4 years required even if you were working for yourself under the table. Is that still so?

I went to the CSLB website and read over some of their answer and questions. I did not see a form to fill out for using work that I have done on my own. What I did see was a form for working as an owner builder.

Yes, you can submit the experience as "self employed"

You do not want to use owner/builder! There is a page that is part of the app where you outline your experience. Indicate the years of your experience providing the mm/dd/yy From and To. At the bottom of the page is where you'll have someone certify your experience. That person can be a contractor with the same classification or higher, or a business associate, or another journeyman.

Hope this helps.

JamesD123 · 10-31-2009, 12:05 AM

Quick question about bonds: I read somewhere that rates are based on credit ratings. I'd like to shop around, but don't really want to have my credit run multiple times.

This afternoon I called 4 companies and asked if I could pull my own credit and then give them a copy. They all said no. Of course they all said they offer the lowest rates available, but that they could not give me an exact quote until they checked my credit.

The going rate for new contractors seems to be about $195 for two years. Does anyone have any information on this? Or recommendations on bond companies? I've got good credit, probably 700+. Thanks very much for any help on this.

License Guru · 10-31-2009, 12:14 AM

The average bond price for 700+ is $116. There are companies out there that cut that price by foregoing their commision on the original bond. I assume they do this to get your renewal business.

Here is one such company: www.corbett-insurance.com I am not affiliated with this company. They offer a bond for $88.

I believe that the credit check only affects your score by a point or three.

JamesD123 · 10-31-2009, 12:25 AM

Thanks so much for the information, LicenseGuru. Maybe I don't need to sweat the credit checks then. I appreciate the link, I'll check them out.

By the way, the Television Education study materials worked wonders today.

License Guru · 10-31-2009, 12:40 AM

Awesome!!!! You passed I take it?

JamesD123 · 10-31-2009, 01:06 AM

Got lucky-- thanks. I was surprised how few people were there-- maybe 10 or so.

koasta · 11-06-2009, 01:44 AM

Hello, my license has been inactive since 1999 I haven't paid the fee since then. I have been working as a GC since 1998 in washington I am moving back to california and they told me I would have to re take the test is there anything I can do too not have to take the test again that seems crazy ThanksDean