Contractor Licensing FAQs

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

CSLB New Leadership in 2015

The Contractors State License Board has appointed Cindi Christenson as its new Registrar of Contractors. Although the CSLB conducted a nationwide executive search, they did not have to look far for the most qualified candidate.  Ms. Christenson had served as the Board’s Chief Deputy Registrar for 5 years and, before joining CSLB, was the Executive Officer…

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Exam Waivers, General “B”, “D-41, “D-63” & “C-61” Licensing

A Sunshine State contractor has a Golden State dream that is a coast-to-coast wakeup call on waivers.  First, a General contractor with another dream wants advice on how to obtain specialty licenses for his children’s future… Q:  I hold a General Building license.  I know that I can handle most trades with the “B” but would…

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CSLB Sunset Review, Veteran’s Assistance, Worker’s Comp & Compliance Update

Will the California State Contractor’s Board go ‘dark’ next year?  It all depends on the Legislature’s decision based on the ‘highlights’ of accomplishments for contractors and consumers in California… In November, the CSLB delivered its “Sunset Review Report” to the State Legislature and Governor.  Most Consumer Boards and Commissions have a “sunset” date (currently January 1,…

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SWIFT Justice, Underground Economy, Temporary Licenses & Unlicensed Advertising Rule

To keep consumers safe and squash unfair competition for contractors are two of the missions of the CSLB’s Enforcement Unit, better known as SWIFT. These agents scour the State of California looking for unlicensed individuals ‘acting’ as contractors to keep the underground economy in check while leveling the playing field for legitimate licensed contractors. As you…

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Generals, College Credits, NV Reciprocity & “B-2” Rule

It might have been ‘either/or’ for our first contractor who will learn it’s really ‘neither/nor’ in his ‘General’ answer. An aspiring contractor discovers if his degree is experience enough for a license. We ‘renew’ the hopes of a contractor leaving the state that his license will ‘travel’ with him… Q:  I currently have a “B” General…

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Revoked & Joint Venture Licensing, “C-61” and Self-Employed Experience Credit

One thing often leads to another, and in some cases automatic cancellation of your license! We ‘C’ ‘two’ another contractor’s problem with adding a class without testing, while a contractor who lost his license learns how to ‘build’ a case for getting it back… Q:  I currently have both a Sole Owner license and a Joint…

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Inc. in Business Name, Independent Contractor and LLC Members & Managers

A bowl of ‘alphabet soup’ results from the many acronyms that makeup titles, names and descriptions of a contractor’s potential roles in a company organization. Another ‘short’ question and we help a young contractor hoping to make a ‘name’ for himself… Q:  I understand the requirements for the RME (min. 32 hours per week, etc.) and…

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