California Licensing

FthillGuy

You could do owner/buider, but it will be tedious. They will want EVERY job laid out in detail, with hours etc. But you have to do what you have to.

License Guru

Hello hconco and welcom to CT. I apologize for the tardy reply.

The good news, you wont have to take the exams again. The bad news, your next app will go to investigation again. You will need to be able to show at least 4 years of experience. They may want to see pay stubs or tax returns or w-2's. You could show O/B experience by completing the project lists that are included with the app. But, O/B experience is heavily scrutinized.

Obviously the 2+ years you have to date won't be enough to qualify, unless you have some hard evidence of your experience. If you have a 4 year degree that would count towards 2 of the 4 year requirement.

You have 2 options.

1) Pay $250 to the cslb and see what happens
2) Wait another 2 years, get more verifiable experience and reapply.

Keep in mind that your passing scores are only good for 5 years. After that you'll have to re-test.

Good luck.

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hconco

License guru thank you for the responce. Thanks for the advice I'll just try and see what happens. Thanks again.

Mike809

Corp in need of RMO:
Have 35 yrs in my own business of Sales and construction in the Manufactured Home industry, stoped business 10 yrs ago and let both of my license go a C-61 and B-1. Starting back up 2010 have corp shell. Need estimated cost and time to have app. compleded by you.
Thanks Mike

License Guru

Hello Mike. Send me an email and we'll cover everything. phil@contractorlicenseservice.com

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HammerHeaded

As I read the CSLB site, the Class A licensee can only bid on Class A work as listed in B & P 7056.

I am told that in the real world Class A work can include anything and everything that a Class B can do under B & P 7057.

Can a Class A licensee do anything a B can do without also obtaining a B?

Can a Class A licensee have me do the drywall for a residence?

License Guru

Unforntunately no. The A class includes:

A general engineering contractor is a contractor whose principal contracting business is in connection with fixed works requiring specialized engineering knowledge and skill, including the following divisions or subjects: irrigation, drainage, water power, water supply, flood control, inland waterways, harbors, docks and wharves, shipyards and ports, dams and hydroelectric projects, levees, river control and reclamation works, railroads, highways, streets and roads, tunnels, airports and airways, sewers and sewage disposal plants and systems, waste reduction plants, bridges, overpasses, underpasses and other similar works, pipelines and other systems for the transmission of petroleum and other liquid or gaseous substances, parks, playgrounds and other recreational works, refineries, chemical plants and similar industrial plants requiring specialized engineering knowledge and skill, powerhouses, power plants and other utility plants and installations, mines and metallurgical plants, land leveling and earthmoving projects, excavating, grading, trenching, paving and surfacing work and cement and concrete works in connection with the above mentioned fixed works

If you wanted to do drywall you would have to have the C-9 classification. The B is a "building" classification whereas the A requires a different skill sets.

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License Guru

Sorry, I think I mis-read part of your post.

Can an A have you do drywall for a residence. Well.. first of all, if an A licensee is doing a residence he is/most likely working out of class. Can an A subcontract to you to do drywall? I suppose he could as the prime contractor on a project.

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HammerHeaded

Thank you. I am so confused. I don't understand. By the looks of things, an A shouldn't take the prime contract for house remodels and new construction from what I read. At least, not regularly? On paper at least A and B are pretty different, but people keep saying that these distinctions are pretty fuzzy and that an "A" is higher than a "B" and better in every way and that no one will ever stop an "A" from contracting as prime for residential projects.

I feel uneasy as a C making a deal with an A for residential jobs but everyone else think I am nuts. "Everyone" includes older guys and my friends in the local building department.

This particular A possibly never does normal sewer/tot lot/bridge or other A jobs and is a new inheritor of the A classification via family waiver. He also has one Class C. He is so green, though, he doesn't know really basic stuff. His plan is to use the A for all kinds of residential work and I am getting roped in. I need the work but I am really unsure as to what I am getting in to.

Am I being overly cautious? Will the contracts he signs with people for residential work hold up as valid?

License Guru

I'll check with some sources at the CSLB to see what they say about an A doing residential work.

One misnomer (sp) is that and A is "higher" than a B or a C is lower than a B. Not so. They are not military rankings, just different areas or classifications of construction.

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HammerHeaded

Thanks, LicenseGuru. From the way he's talking, it would be a lot of work for me over time. He's also planning to use family members (unlicensed) to do tile work and painting on the jobs, and other misc stuff like appliance installation, cabinet installation, floors. I just don't see that in the description for an A either, but maybe it is legit? I guess he can use his own forces as a general contractor, right? He's got to have the ability to supervise his own forces. Maybe that makes sense. It would make more sense if he were using his own forces(staff) to grade land for a street or something.

A B would just make everything so much cleaner IMHO. . .but, like I said above, people keep telling me to go for it and not worry about his A with no B.

He's talking to other C Class guys to do a couple of the other trades, at least in part.

I am worried that his offer is too good to be true.

davidroberson

There is a great book that cover most topics of licensing in California, Nevada, and Arizona by David Kalb entitled "What Every Contractor Should Know."

ISBN 0-595-34551-4

David Roberson

License Guru

Thanks David. I know Mr. Kalb. I haven't read his book only because I dont want to give him any of my money! LOL I've referred clients to him that needed a lawyer's touch and he never even bothered to send me a thank you.

So now that we've tainted this thread with Kalb's name... shall we move on!

Oh... Mr. Roberson... I worked at the CSLB for over 5 years, Mr. Kalb goes to the front counter on occaision.

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davidroberson

I use Bob Berrigan as a licensing expert a few time per year. Maybe you worked with him while he was at the CSLB.

I'm always looking for people with your expertise.

David S. Roberson, Esq.

License Guru

Did Bob work at the HQ building in Sacramento? His name doesnt ring a bell.

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jcb1801

Hello. I apologize if this subject has already been addressed, but I'm currently a licensed sol proprietorship in CA (General B license issued in Nov 09). I've printed out all the forms ("Articles of Incorporation", "Licensed Sole Owner Applying for Corporate License", "Examination Waiver (7065)") I believe are necessary for this conversion. I'm not sure if the CSLB expects me to pay the original application fee of $400 to reissue my current license # to the corporation that I would like to form. Is this the appropriate fee? If not, what is and where is that information found? Are there any other forms I need to submit in addition to the ones listed above? I've noticed that the "General Information" portion of "Examination Waiver (7065) recommends submitting proof of license bond, WC certificate of insurance, completed Asbestos exam, etc. Is this necessary if I've just submitted everything 3 months prior? If anyone could give a step by step breakdown of sole proprietorship to corporation transfer/ application process I would be eternally appreciative. My question is less to do with the Articles and the Secretary of State than the CSLB and the forms and fees they require.

License Guru

Yes, you need to pay the $400 and get a new bond in the corp name. Submit the waiver app (minus the experience portion), the sole to corp form, and the workers comp exempt form (assuming you have no employees).

Thats it!

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davidroberson

I concur with License Guru.

jcb1801

Wow, thanks for the speedy replies! I have a couple follow-up questions. Is it possible for you to make a guess at the processing time for this type of application? Also, could I reasonably assume that my license will remain active and valid in its current state until the CSLB reissues my number to the corp? Is it legal for me to continue contracting during this transfer period?

License Guru

Currently the CSLB is taking about 4 weeks to process a waiver app.

Yes, your license will remain active and yes you can continue to do business.

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Phil Cocciante
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