As a highly mobile society keeping in touch with everyone is often difficult. However, you should always remember to update your address with the CSLB or expect to pay a price. Another contractor discovers that while you may be forgiven, government computers never forget. I hear from a lot of people about getting their contractor’s license, but you might be surprised at how many want to get off a license. How do you do that?
Q: The Responsible Managing Officer (RMO) on our contractor’s license is the company VP. He’s leaving and our President would like to take everyone but himself off the license. How do we go about doing this? Please note the President is also a licensed contractor under his own name.
A: If removing the RMO, you’ll need to file an Application to Replace The Qualifying Individual. To remove all other officers, the President should file an Application to Report Current Officers. Both forms are available from the CSLB.
Q: Our Company moved our office location 2 months ago. We know the CSLB needs to be notified but have we waited too long? What are the rules regarding this and if we waited too long what will the Board do?
A: Because some official correspondence — like your renewal — is often NOT FORWARDED by the post office, it is advisable to inform the CSLB of any address change as soon as possible. However, since you’re allowed to notify the CSLB within 90 days of any change in business address, you have not waited too long. This 90-day time period also applies to changes in business name and personnel (including the qualifying individual). Changes of this nature MUST be made in writing on a form prescribed by the Registrar.
According to B&P Section 7083, a failure to notify the Registrar of these changes within 90 days is grounds for disciplinary action. While the Board could issue a citation to someone who waits more than 90 days, it is unusual for them to do so.
Q: I filed my license application with the Contractors Board months ago. Yesterday I received a letter telling me I had lied on my application and have the option of withdrawing it. This has something to do with my fingerprints and a legal problem over 20 years ago. What do you think we should do?
A: As we discussed, even though you did not knowingly falsify the license application, the CSLB could take formal action against you. It does not matter that you forgot about the legal problem you had as a teenager. This letter is giving you the option of withdrawing the application without any real penalty and re-applying with a truthful response to question #11 (criminal background). I suggest you accept the Board’s offer. When reapplying, give the Board as much information as you can about your “youthful indiscretion 23 years ago”.
While the Board’s disclosure requirements sound harsh, the fact remains that every applicant must divulge ANY and ALL criminal activities in their past. This includes that DUI 30 years ago; a fight in college or something more major. You must disclose this information even if – as in your case – all court records have been expunged.