Thanks Phil

I obtained my CA contractors license in May 2011. Since then, I have been busy moving to N. CA and dealing with rehabbing my father's place up here. So, in that cloud of dust, I forgot to thank Phil for all of his help and advice on how to word my work experience. He also said that the law portion would be the most difficult part to pass. I purchased his law package and found immediately that he was right. A trade is a trade and you either know what is going on or not. The law portion, however, is a grinding, repetitive series of questions that often ask the same thing over and over from different angles. Phil's CD and booklet really helped prepare me for that. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking to pass the CSLB license test. The knowledge of the law portion is something that is worth quite a bit more than Phil was charging for it! Hey, don't get any ideas about raising the price.......... The laws protecting contractors and their customers are not complicated but take some work to memorize. So, thank you again Phil, I won't forget that you went out of your way to help me last year and I greatly appreciate it.

JED - General B Contractor

 

My pleasure!! And thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to think of me.

 

I am interested in starting a Landscaping company. I am looking to find the best path forward for us. I have Bachelors in Poli Sci with an area of focus in environmental science. Does this count for any education experience?

I also have worked on and off in the trades since 2002. From 2004-2006 I worked full time managing a companies properties including installing and building new landscapes and managing sub contractors. The company was a land development company that did small housing developments in Oklahoma. Since moving to CA in 2010 I have managed my families property (lost in a fire) including managing a crew, subs etc. During that time we re-soded the lawn, fixed irrigation, installed and repaired stone walls etc.

My experience is varied and spread out. I have contractors that would vouch for my work.

I am trying to figure out the best path forward. Either hire or partner with a c27 or pursue my own license.

 

reply

The other part of it is at 32 with a lot of experience I can't imagine working for someone else for 2-4 years at this point. I would prefer to start my own business.

I often wonder how Ranch kids get by. They grow up grading, operating machines, fixing irrigation etc and they cant get a license without being a Slave for 4 years?

 

Yes, your 4 yr degree will count for 2 yrs of the 4 yr requirement. The experience on the family property wont account for much time. Your employment with the OK company may work. You would need to be able to show/prove that you have at least 2 yrs of verifiable C-27 experience.

 

How would I make the experience count? It has been full time work. The contractors that I have brought on to work with me can all verify the work. Short of going to work for someone else what are my options? Like I said I was considering hiring a friend with a c27 and starting a business together.

 

And I have been hired to do work for other contractors off and on during the process.

 

Verifiable experience is experience that can be proved by employment records, pay stubs, w-2's, tax returns, etc.

Apply for a license with a C-27 RMO is certainly an option. And you can use the time on that license toward your overall experience.

 

Education Experience CA B License

Dear Guru,
I've been reading this thread closely and I think you are very generous with your assistance.

Anyway, I have a couple of questions I hope you assist me with:

I am looking to apply for my B license in CA. I am 37 and have a BA and MA in Anthropology/Archaeology. Are those degrees good for any experience credit? I.E. do I get 2 years credit or are they going to see what math and fieldwork classes etc. I had on my transcripts?

I currently work as a supervisor/project manager for a licensed GC. He can sign for my experience, but can technically only provide paystubs for 3 years. He is aware of my experience and work prior. Does he certify what he knows or what he has paid me for?

I have other self employment income from small jobs going back years but I don't want the app to get too confusing. Do I have the GC sign for all the experience and then show his paystubs + self employment records, letters from clients etc. if I get audited?

Thanks so much for any response.

 

You should get 3 yrs for the masters degree and you will need to submit transcripts. So technically you only need to show 1 yr of hands on experience. The work experience portion of the app will outline your B trade experience. You'll need to provide framing and at least 2 unrelated trades. Do not discuss specific jobs or projects, just your overall B experience. The GC you work for can certify that experience. I'd suggest beginning the work experience for with... my experience includes: then detail it out. framing, wood/steele, electrical, 110/220v, panel installation, concrete, form/pour etc etc.

 

You should get 3 yrs for the masters degree

That is the best news I've heard in a long time! I knew those years in school were good for something! My only concern is that Anthropology and Archeaology aren't "construction related" fields (although we used a transit, laid out, and dug a lot of square holes!).

Thanks

 

Hi license guru,
I passed both the law and trade exams on Aug. 1rst and paid the fees
at My school (csls). When I check my app status its says "app to criminal background unit -FBI". Last week it said "app to criminal background unit - DOJ. Can You give Me an idea of how long till I should see the License # posted so, I can get to work?

I hope this question is not a stupid one and thank You for Your time.

Jim E.

 

the site just updated and says "released from criminal background unit" and next line "under review"

 

Unfortunately there is no way to know how long. They may be waiting to receive docs from that agency and it all depends on how long it takes them. Not much you can do but hurry up and wait. You may want to call the CBU at the CSLB and ask them. 916-255-1007 (i think that's the number)

 

First thank You for replying to My newbie question Phil.
I had it backwards. it said under review and the the next line said
released from CBU. I called the # You gave and the Lady said that
means it was cleared and released from the CBU and now it should be
back to the issuance div. guess its now completed and just waiting
on processing. thanks' again Phil

 

Anytime!

 

Guru,

I'm looking to a home renovation business in FL. I know its a long drawn out process to obtain my building contractor license, but I'm staring that process soon. My question to you is: In FL is it possible for me to use my buddies numbers for mutt business? If yes does he have to be s member of my LLC? If yes wasn't is the minimum % ownership he had to have?

Thanks in advance!

 

Check with the fine folks at www.licensesetc.com. They'll be able to assist you.

 

Any major is acceptable.

If you had a four yr degree that was in construction management or engineering, you'd get 3 yrs instead of 2. But any MA/MB would be worth 3 yrs.

 

Hello Phil,

Thanks again for all your help earlier. I was just wondering, must I purchase a bond even if I want to have my license inactive? Or is the minimum that I have bonding/active license for a year?

 

If you have the license issued Inactive... you do not need to purchase a bond.

 

Guru,

I see here that a bachelors and masters degree in business qualifies for 3 of the 4 years required. I that a standard with the licensing board or is that how it is handled internally? I ask because I have almost 24 months of hands on experience, which is plenty if my masters + bachelors earns me 3/4 years.

Thanks for the help.

 

Hello Joe@Artisans, welcome to CT. They will give you 3 yrs if your masters is directly related to construction. Otherwise, your BA or MBA would count for 2 yrs toward the 4 yr requirement. You will need to provide transcripts with your application and the classification deputy will make the final determination.

 

Thanks for all the helpful information, it's very helpful, I have a MBA degree which I graduated in June of 2003 in Canada. Does this degree works? if it works, does it count for 3 years or 2 years? The reason why I ask is because in the experience form, they said experience within the last 10 years. Thanks again.

 

They will give you 3 yrs if your masters in a field directly related to the type of license you are applying for. Masters in engineering would get a C-10, Electrical, 3 yrs credit. Your degree would most likely be worth 2 yrs credit. The license classification deputy at the cslb would review your transcripts and make the final determination. I would bet you'd need 2 yrs of journeyman level training to balance the degree.

 

Thanks for the quick reply, my major is business, so it's 2 years. When I buy the law and General B book from your website, is it still necessary to go to the 2 day crash courses offered in Oakland and Sacramento?

And when do you send in the w2, paystub, is it when applying for the application or when you are pulled for an investigation? Is the rate for pulling higher than couple years ago? I read somewhere you said 3%.