Contractor Licensing FAQs

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

General “A” & Concrete, ‘Walk In” License Testing & Unlicensed Work Experience

Can you walk right in, sit right down and take the license exam? A General wants to get off the ‘asphalt’ and set up a ‘concrete’ detour, while a handyman walks the line, only occasionally running over the rules… Q:  I have an “A” license and my company generally does roadwork construction.  A subcontractor who we…

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Foreign Corporation Licensing & SS Numbers, NV Sandblasting & Licensing at Sea

While our focus is often California and contractors working the Golden State, we also work over the borders. From our far northern neighbor to next door in the Silver State, these questions come from contractors putting miles on their licenses… Q:  We are a Canadian corporation and need to obtain a CA Contractor’s License.  On the…

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Tax Suspense, NV & AZ Reciprocity Changes, “C-61/D-12” Coverings & Synthetics

Not paying taxes is a no, no and that’s the unfortunate answer required in our first Q&A. While reciprocity is a benefit for licensed CA contractors, there are still some ‘general’ rules that can’t be skipped. Another questioner is ‘floored’ by news that he will be required to have the appropriate contractor’s license and appropriate classification…

Read MoreTax Suspense, NV & AZ Reciprocity Changes, “C-61/D-12” Coverings & Synthetics

AZ Generals, Installing Artificial Turf and Disassociation Notice

Misconceptions, rumor, ‘friendly advice’ and complex rules that change when borders get crossed make it tough for contractors at times. That’s one reason it’s important to ask questions! We begin in Arizona and will proceed ‘one step at a time’ because it’s important to get it right wherever you work… Q:  You helped our corporation obtain…

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Documentation for Applications, ‘Family’ Number Re-Assigment, RME Waivers and Who Can Bid?

What you needed yesterday but don’t use in the present may hold the key to getting a contractor’s license back in the future. Documentation is everything. We’ll explore how to get a family waiver, test or not, as the individual case may be… Q:  I had a contractor’s license many years ago and I want to…

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Family Waiver, Landscaping Swimming Pools, Responsible Managing Employee Compensation

We often hear from aspiring contractors who have grown up in the business and want to follow in their parent’s footsteps. If you want to keep the same license number timing is everything as we learn here. A landscaper’s ambition gets ‘cut short’ and we review what it takes to be a Responsible Managing Employee… Q: …

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