California Licensing

License Guru

That is correct. The license itself will not be affected by a BK. And yes, your bond premium would increase quite a bit.

And your welcome. My pleasure.

SheContractor

Thanks Phil

Foldhazi

So true, I applied in jan 2005 and didn't receive my license until nov 2005. I was 21/22 at the time. I guess they have a young journeyman investigation department. It even got denied at one point. But in the end, I drove down to the CSLB, turned in even more paperwork (in person, a luxury living not far from Sac) and finally got the B license.

The test was a joke too, I finished both parts 1/2hr short of the first time slot. I saw sooo many guys scratching their heads

CatAlii

License Guru,
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us!

I have a change in entity question. We renewed our sole proprietor license with CSLB in December and shortly after that incorporated our business with the State of CA. Rather than getting a new license # for the corporation we wish to change the existing sole prop. license# to a corporation license (my husband is fond of his 20 year old license number). Am I reading the rules correctly on the CSLB website - we will have to submit an application and a change of entity form + $400 to change the license type from sole proprietor to corporation? Since we just renewed the license how long can we wait to do the change in entity without any negative consequences? I'd rather not pay back-to-back renewal and entity change fees.

Thanks!

Ponce

We have done this already back in Nov. 07. However, our attorney who did the paperwork and submitted to CSLB has told us that the reason for everyone's delay (This is now almost March 08 and no approval yet?) is because the person who handles this at the CSLB is/has been on maternity leave for 90 days. I asked if there was anyone else handling these? And he told me he asked the same question, and they kind of have someone on the apps now, but they are extremely backlogged. We've been approved by the Feds. Now just waiting on the CSLB. I kind of wanted this done by the first of the year, but unfortunately, we have to use the old entity to work until this is approved. Kind of a tax nightmare if it's approved in the middle of the year.

Ponce

It's just been approved thru legislature in the state that C-27s can build outdoor kitchen/barbecue/entertainment centers. Even though most landscape guys we know for the last 20 years have been doing this anyway. The CSLB always stated "It is a grey area." And I'm happy that they finally clarified this classification/licensing issue.

My concern however, and also most C-27s we know in the state is another "Grey" area that the CSLB is now having to deal with. And that is outdoor decks whether watertight or non-watertight. Some people call them balconeys, but they technically are not. The CSLB's website states that a C-27 (CCR 832.27) can build outdoor patio covers and non-watertight decks, and that there are no restrictions on the size, height, or TYPE of deck that a C-27 can contractor or pull permits for. Now here's the part where the GREY area comes into play: However, certain structural work may be precluded. A review will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Many C-27s are looking to contract to build non-watertight stucco decking that is supported by two or more footings/columns whereby they are engineered to stand on their own away from the home and where the water runs off the lip of the upstairs floor. Homeowners are wanting to include these decks in their backyard design and installation as many in So California have views and the homeowner increases the outdoor living space. Some have below them the outdoor kitchen/bbq area and some include fireplaces. Kind of like an entire outdoor family room.

Many C-27s don't know based on the description of the CSLB's C-27 license description and this supposed "GREY" area whether they can contract to build this type of structure. Can you explain exactly what they mean? And when in the future do you foresee them making a better legal clarification on a C-27 License? Thank you.

License Guru

I apologize for the late reply, I'm not sure why I wasn't notified of your post.

Ok... correct, you would need to submit an Application for Contractors License (Waiver) along with a 1 page CSLB form requesting the license be changed from Sole to Corp and Pay the $400 fee. And yes, you would be forfieting the renewal money you paid for this renewal period. How long can you wait without "negative consequences"?? Good question! Well... a scenerio could take place where a Lawsuit could be filed against your company. Such a lawsuit would be brought against your corporation because your contracts would show you as a corp (I would assume), but when it was determined that the license is/was a sole owner license you would be putting your personal assests at risk. So how long can you wait?? That's up to you.

A great line in insurance is..... How much is your house worth? Your car? Your retirement? Paying the $400 now would be better than putting all that at risk.

Do I sound like an insurance salesman? LOL Probably because I am!

License Guru

Pregnancy Leave?? Somebody was fed a line. There are about 6-8 techs that work these types of apps. I doubt that all of them are pregnant. And if your particular app was assigned to someone who left on maternity leave, her case load would have been reassigned.

I just checked the CSLB web site and didn't see an app for you for Sole to Corp.

CatAlii

Thank you so much for your response. We were looking at it from a licensing standpoint, wondering if delaying the entity change might somehow impact the validity of the license and never even considered it from a litigation standpoint. Knock on wood we've never had any problems like that but since one of our reasons for incorporating was to separate business assets from personal I think we should hurry up and file the change paper toute suite! Thanks so much for the info - very helpful stuff.

License Guru

Just to cover my bases... Yes, you would have a licensing issue. You would be entering into contracts as CatAlii, INC and not just CatAlii, sole owner. In essence contracting without a license because CatAlii, INC would not legally be licensed with the CSLB.

wheatleyaz

Hello License Guru
I am in AZ but the ROC laws are similar so I was hoping you could help me. I applied for my L-11 residential electric license about a month ago. I have been working for a fully licensed electrical company that specialized in ceiling fan repairs and intstalls for about 8 years (worked by myself and infact was the head tech). I attended a contractors prep school, passed both my trade and business exams, and the school filed my paper work and sent in my work history plus a stack of experience sheets I had done on the side (nothing big) but I am not sure if they tried to verify any of it including my employment history. The ROC wrote me saying that I needed to provide them with 15 building permits. I have never pulled a permit myself and I know the company I worked for didnt. We were residential service and most people dont want to wait or pay for a permit for small jobs. My question is this, do you know of anything I can do to get around this? Maybe something else to verify my work history? I cant pull building permits as an unlicensed contractor yet I need them to become one. PLEASE HELP. Thank you.

sunfirebird

Hi Guru, you are so kind to did your performance here.

This is my situation, I haven't fill out the application yet, but before that I want to make it clear if I am qualified.
1. I have a four years degree in civil engineering, but got it from abroad, not Canada. and I have an official certification, and transcript etc.
2. I also have a MBA degree which got from the States.
3. One contractor can sign me off.
So how many years of experience do above these equate? and to do the preparation of those exams, where I can find those study materials? Thank you.

License Guru

First, what classification are you applying for? You need at least one year of field experience. The MBA is for business? What would the contractor being signing off?

If you click on my name (License Guru) you'll go to my profile page. From there you can click on the link to some excellent study materials.

License Guru

I so wish I could help you here, but since pulling permits is not a requirement, or asked for during the application process in California, I have no experience to base an answer on.

sunfirebird

Hi, Guru
Thanks for your reply

chaka

Dear License Guru,

Please advise me. I am a decorative artist who does, Italian plasters, lime & resin, metallos, old world textures, stencils, American Clay, Tadelakt & faux finishes including multi-layered & patinas. I have received extensive training and certifications from 3 different schools in this line of work and have a background as an artist. I want to follow the rules so after working 5 years in the industry I sent in my application for a C33 with a GC sign off who I had done a fair amount of projects for. Everything was approved. My dilemma...I took both tests last Monday. I passed Law/Business and failed by one point the trade. I went to one of the schools who preps you and took their crash course. I knew everything they taught inside and out. 400 questions, mathematical equations, every type of measurement imaginable for all the scaffold configurations etc. Nothing they taught with the exception of maybe 3 questions was referenced. The exam questions focused on lacquers, epoxys, enamels, exterior coatings & prep on buildings, spray equipment, staining & wood. Nothing significant on anything decorative that I do. I pan to retake the test. The form & registration have already been sent in. How can I prep for this information when every school says they know the material that will be tested. I also have been told about an appeal process for Decorative Artists if you have missed passing by one point. Some kind of a letter sent to CSLB requesting a waive.

Sorry for the long note. Please advise. Very stressful.

Thank you,
Chaka

License Guru

Thanks for the question Chaka.

Which school did you use for the (infamous) 2-day crash course?

The CSLB has a pool of roughly 3000 questions that they randomly pull from for the exam, so the chances of seeing the exact questions you studied are slim. Some providers will "poll" the client after the exam so they can update their materials, that way they can keep their material fresh.

Your next test might not have any, or very few, questions that you saw on the first test. I took my Insurance test twice and the 2nd time I don't think I saw but maybe a couple that I recogized from the 1st test.

I take it the study materials you have didn't cover these topics? "lacquers, epoxys, enamels, exterior coatings & prep on buildings, spray equipment, staining & wood"

If you'd like to email me (click on my name below) I can go into more detail.

Subia29

Great info Guru.
How can I turn in Unlicense contractors who contract under a buiness license bought from the city, and the one's who advertise with out a license.

License Guru

Contact the Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) at the CSLB. If you have an ad or picture of a yard sign, you can mail that to the SWIFT unit and they'll take action.

conveyorCARL

Hey Guru...I'm filling out my application for a C-61 / D-21 with 12 years of Journeyman Maintenance Mechanic employment (UPS). How detailed do I get in the Certification of Work Experience block 6 Specific Trade Duties? Do I stick to only the conveyor equipment (welding/fabricating electrical/mechanical) duties that the licence catagory clearly covers or can I also include the "Facilities" type duties like: roll-up and pedestrian door repair, minor HVAC, lighting repair, fire extinguisher/emergency lighting monthly visual inspections, etc...? Thanks.