License Exam

osborn

Im curious about licensing in different areas. If its just a money issue or if theres an exam. Around here theres a two part exam. The first is a business and law exam. I see questionds on this forum that is you would need to know to pass the exam. I have to admit that I just learned the stuff to get through the test. Over the last couple of years I have realized that all the the stuff covered in the study book is needed to operate a successful company. I have found myself reading and rereading it. There are some very knowledgable people on this site. Is it experience? School? Mixture? Self taught?

thom

Here in NM we also have two part licensing testing. Business and law, and trade specific. Every contractor must pass the Business and Law. For most, that's the more difficult of the two.

B&L is not so much about how to successfully operate a business as it is about the legal requirements in running a business. It requires you to be reasonably proficient in english and math just so you can understand and complete the test. You must be knowledgeable about the requirements for taxes, workmens compensation insurance, defining an employee and paying correctly. It also requires knowledge regarding the limitations of various licenses. Much of the stuff on this test is state specific. Here in NM we charge tax (we call it a gross receipts tax but it is very similar to a sales tax) on our projects. The amount of this tax varies by municipality. In Albuquerque it's 6.875%.

Though most dislike the B&L portion, I believe it's more important than the trade specific portion. The guy who owns the company (or in a larger company is the "qualifying party" passed a test proving he knows the stuff but that doesn't mean the guy doing it does.

I support licensing. I just wish my state would more actively enforce its own laws.

K2

I also support licensing and my county has some kind of test for almost all the contractor trades. The test are not easy and in my field the average bear does not pass the first time.

I know we've had other threads on this subject bla,bla,bla.

To me getting a license says to the world " I know there are rules and I am interested in following them". It does not mean i follow every rule.

dougchips

In MA, it is a open book test. Most people take a prep course on how to find stuff in the book.

Dustball

In MN, the business law exam is closed book and the contractor exam is open book. No prior education/training is required to get a contractors license.

Tom M

I have an state inspectors and home Improvement license from Consumer affairs but I never heard of an actual exam with business and law information.

RenaissanceR

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Tom M

tHATS JUST GREAT IT FIGUIRES its always who you know and not what you know to get somewhere. I'm still looking for information on a particular license that designates me as a contractor.