Who can speak for experience in a license application? What is an ‘unrelated’ trade, generally? When does a simple alteration in business practice mean no ‘change’ in a license? How can a contractor jobsite ‘HAZ-ard’ not require special CSLB attention? Why, because, everyone has contractor licensing questions and fortunately I have answers for them! … … Continue reading Experience Credits, Corporate Tax Changes and CA License HAZ Requirements

We ‘divide’ and conquer a tough question for one contractor and ‘shrink’ time for an ambitious applicant! Unfortunately, even an expert can’t save another when the ‘clock’ runs out on a final ‘deadline’… Q:  I need to obtain my Contractor’s license.  In speaking with several of my colleagues who are licensed, they have said how incredibly long … Continue reading Application Processing Time, Renewals, Low Voltage and Business Entity Licensing

Let me introduce ‘the situation’ not a star of reality TV. We ‘finish’ a mistaken idea for one contractor before it gets started and ‘switch’ on and off for a “C-10”. But let’s ‘dive in’ as we begin ‘underwater’… Q:   Is there a specific contractor’s license for underwater construction and dock repairs? A:   There is no specific … Continue reading Docks & Underwater Licensing, RME Replacement, Carpentry and “C-10”

Simple. No, this is contractor law in two states just to start with! I ‘employ’ expertise for another question and share the ‘manual’ on fingerprinting when you apply for a CA contractor license… Q:  Our Qualifier is retiring and wants to disassociate but still retain his own license. I have been an Officer on the license … Continue reading Fingerprint Rejection, Qualifier Retirement in NV & CA and RMO/RME

I assist contractors with licensing in CA, NV and AZ, including those with ‘foreign’ accents unfamiliar with the American way. And all it takes to provide contractors help on some questions is a little bit of ‘sole’… Q:  We are an out-of-country contractor and we have a California ‘B’ (General Building) contractor’s license but we are … Continue reading Foreign Company Licensing, ‘S’ Corps and Contractor Referral Companies

Some of the time it’s an easy contractor licensing answer, some are complex and others just take longer to develop the ‘full-time’ picture. Help arrives for a contractor planning for his road trip to AZ but, first, we start with a General looking for some ‘cool’ new business. Q:  I am a “B” General Building contractor.  The … Continue reading Family Waiver, Independent Qualifiers, AZ Reciprocity and General HVAC

Always gratified to get feedback from readers, and I just got a bunch from public works contractors. Let me clarify and improve the answer on DIR’s with input from contractors on the job. A good day is learning something new and yes even experts sometimes get ‘schooled’… We start this week’s volume of the Q&A … Continue reading DIR Number Feedback, Public Works, RME & RMO and Siding/Decks License

Getting ‘straight’ to the point, it’s not how you start but how you finish in our first contractor’s question. A helping hand is extended in an answer, while another contractor’s application is sent back to ‘square one’… Q:  Many years ago, when I was young and stupid, I got in some trouble and have a couple … Continue reading License Renewal, Criminal Records and Posting Changes

Do you know the way to San Jose? Just one place to ‘test’ contractors. It’s a less direct ‘route’ to a solution for a complex ‘prefab’ question, and I help another contractor fill a ‘gap’ in his understanding… Q:  I am an out of State contractor and one of my customers has requested that I perform … Continue reading CSLB Exam Sites, “B” Generals and Joint Venture Suspension

School’s out for summer, but the lessons never end for contractors. New law, changes in interpretation and important deadlines require an ongoing ‘learning curve.’ Here’s an expert tutorial and a reminder to turn those ‘papers’ in on time! I am frequently reminded from readers that Public Works Contractors are a big portion of my readers.  So … Continue reading DIR, Public Works, Small Project Exemption and Find My Licensed Contractor Resource