Can I apply for B license, if I have 4+ years exp. in just one trade?

1620 Views 9 Replies 6 Participants Last post by License Guru, Jul 28, 2014

garyp.ca

Discussion Starter · Jul 21, 2014

Hi forum,

I've been searching all over the internet, and can't seem to find a straight answer on this.

I'd like to apply for my general contractor's license, in California. As I understand, you need 4+ years experience in the trades to be eligible. I have 4+ years experience in concrete, foundation, flagstone, work. I have knowledge of other trades, just no way to show that experience on paper.

What I'd like to know is, is my experience sufficient to apply for my general contractor b license?

I have my app filled out, and the certification of experience signed, I just don't want to send it in with the money, if I'm not eligible. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

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Seven-Delta-FortyOne

· #2 · Jul 21, 2014

Short version: Yes, you can apply, and you will most likely be rejected.

Long version: A General Contractor needs to have experience/knowledge in all phases of construction. That why he's the General.

You also need 4+ years as a supervisor, not just 4 total years. assuming an industry standard 4 year apprenticeship program, you need a minimum of 8 years, assuming your boss put you into a supervisory position as soon as you completed your apprenticeship.

Why not go for your C-5, Concrete license?

P.S. I'm sure Phil will be along with more and better info.

Delta

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garyp.ca

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 21, 2014

I'd prefer a general building license, because i also have 4+ years experience in residential remodeling (garage and room additions, kitchen and bath remodel, roofing, fences, etc). The problem is I was young and was paid under the table, and didn't think about the downside to that til it was too late. But I enjoy the variety of doing a little bit of everything, much more than specializing in one trade.

Thanks for the quick response.

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Seven-Delta-FortyOne

· #4 · Jul 21, 2014

If you have that kind of experience, then yeah, it should work. The kicker is verifying it, as you've found out.

:laughing:

Delta

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Jaws

· #5 · Jul 21, 2014

Just for general knowledge, if you have 4 years as a carpenter and 4 supervising carpentry(read: forming,framing, trim, siding, roofs, tile) can you apply for a B license?

Can you apply with 8 years from out of state?

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Seven-Delta-FortyOne

· #6 · Jul 21, 2014

Jaws said:
Just for general knowledge, if you have 4 years as a carpenter and 4 supervising carpentry(read: forming,framing, trim, siding, roofs, tile) can you apply for a B license?

I think so. The B License is heavy on the framing, but you also get tested on basic Electrical, Plumbing, Drywall, Concrete, Tile, Etc..plus Business, Management, and Construction Law.

Can you apply with 8 years from out of state?

Not sure about out of state.

Delta

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License Schools

· #7 · Jul 22, 2014

No offense to anyone who provided posts on this but most of the information you are receiving here is inaccurate as it relates to California. A 4-year apprenticeship is not required to get a license so there is no such thing as an 8-year requirement. The requirement is simply that the 4 years of experience that you do have is at Journey level or higher. The time you spent getting to that level may have been working for a a non-union person or company. There is NO supervisor experience requirement at all. The experience can be in any state or country for that matter.

A C-5 license is not for concrete, it is for framing. A C-8 license is for concrete. It sounds like that is the bulk of the work that you did and you should qualify for a C-8 if your 4 years of experience is within the last 10 years. In general, it needs to be after the age of 18.

To qualify to take the B (Genereal Building) the State currently requires 4 years of experience engaged in OR directly supervising framing and at least 2 other trades (like concrete, masonry, electrical, plumbing, etc.) so experience in just carpentry will not qualify. They are considering removing the framing requirement since a lot of contractors do remodels without framing. An example would be someone who specializes in bathroom remodels and rarely, if ever, does any structural work but concentrates on more superficial work like replacing the tub, sink, paint, floor, tile, etc. This also accommodates handymen services. No word yet on where that is going.

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Seven-Delta-FortyOne

· #8 · Jul 23, 2014

Yes, I got C-5 and C-8 mixed up. Good thing I added "Concrete" after, so the OP knew what I was talking about.

I never said that an Apprenticeship was required. I never said that the only Apprenticeship Programs are administered through Unions. :blink:

When I got licensed in 2010, the requirement was, "4 years at journey-level or supervisor." If that has been changed to where you can start as a greenhorn laborer, and in 4 years take the test, that's news to me.

The requirement for a B Contractor to bid on jobs is 2 unrelated trades, not counting framing. Again, when I took the test, they didn't ask which 2 trades I wanted to be tested on, I was tested on, as I mentioned, Plumbing, Concrete, Electrical, Plastering, Tile, Drywall, Painting, and on and on. Again, if that has changed, that's news to me.

:blink:

Delta

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Calidecks

· #9 · Jul 23, 2014

Seven-Delta-FortyOne said:
Yes, I got C-5 and C-8 mixed up. Good thing I added "Concrete" after, so the OP knew what I was talking about.

I never said that an Apprenticeship was required. I never said that the only Apprenticeship Programs are administered through Unions. :blink:

When I got licensed in 2010, the requirement was, "4 years at journey-level or supervisor." If that has been changed to where you can start as a greenhorn laborer, and in 4 years take the test, that's news to me.

The requirement for a B Contractor to bid on jobs is 2 unrelated trades, not counting framing. Again, when I took the test, they didn't ask which 2 trades I wanted to be tested on, I was tested on, as I mentioned, Plumbing, Concrete, Electrical, Plastering, Tile, Drywall, Painting, and on and on. Again, if that has changed, that's news to me.

:blink:

Delta

That's how it was for me 12 years so. From what I understand the requirements are getting tougher not easier. Never in my life time have I seen a government mandated entity get less strict, can't see it happening with the board either.

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License Guru

· #10 · Jul 28, 2014

Seven-Delta-FortyOne said:
When I got licensed in 2010, the requirement was, "4 years at journey-level or supervisor." If that has been changed to where you can start as a greenhorn laborer, and in 4 years take the test, that's news to me.

The requirement for a B Contractor to bid on jobs is 2 unrelated trades, not counting framing. Again, when I took the test, they didn't ask which 2 trades I wanted to be tested on, I was tested on, as I mentioned, Plumbing, Concrete, Electrical, Plastering, Tile, Drywall, Painting, and on and on. Again, if that has changed, that's news to me.

This is all still true. The difference now is the requirement to submit paper documents to verify your experience.

As I've stated before, the exams should be the verifying factor in an applicants knowledge, not paper docs that can be falsified.

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