Contractor Licensing FAQs

The Capitol Connection is our weekly Q & A column for contractors that focuses on topics pertaining to contractor's licensing.

Experience Credits, Corporate Tax Changes and CA License HAZ Requirements

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! … Q:  We…

Read MoreExperience Credits, Corporate Tax Changes and CA License HAZ Requirements

Application Processing Time, Renewals, Low Voltage and Business Entity Licensing

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 it…

Read MoreApplication Processing Time, Renewals, Low Voltage and Business Entity Licensing

Docks & Underwater Licensing, RME Replacement, Carpentry and “C-10”

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 classification…

Read MoreDocks & Underwater Licensing, RME Replacement, Carpentry and “C-10”

Fingerprint Rejection, Qualifier Retirement in NV & CA and RMO/RME

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 since…

Read MoreFingerprint Rejection, Qualifier Retirement in NV & CA and RMO/RME

Foreign Company Licensing, ‘S’ Corps and Contractor Referral Companies

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 unfamiliar…

Read MoreForeign Company Licensing, ‘S’ Corps and Contractor Referral Companies

Family Waiver, Independent Qualifiers, AZ Reciprocity and General HVAC

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 HVAC…

Read MoreFamily Waiver, Independent Qualifiers, AZ Reciprocity and General HVAC