Contractor Licensing FAQs

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

Contractor On The Job Training

While most people become contractors after ‘on the job’ training, there are some who would like to approach it as a ‘second’ career. While becoming a licensed contractor is possible for most everyone, it’s rarely easy or immediate for anyone. When you buy a contracting corporation how you acquire the license depends on what you ‘bought’…

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Paying for Referrals

You probably have friends and relatives handing out your business cards for referrals. Is it legal to pay them? Anyone interested in forming an alliance with another contractor will benefit from an inquiry about ‘JV’s and GP’s’. A Nevada contractor catches a ‘waive’ to ride in California with our first question… Q: I currently am a…

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LLCs and RMEs

You’re ‘liable’ to get ‘hot under the collar’ if you don’t know the rules for working in the sun. As this is written, temperatures in California, Nevada and Arizona are reaching 120 plus, under sunny blue skies. Several contractors get a healthy helping of expert ‘alphabet’ soup, including ‘Q&A’ loaded with LLC’s and RME’s… Q: We…

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Taking a Partner

Life is often about changes. For our lives and our businesses. To paraphrase John Lennon, ‘life happens to you while you’re making plans’. Imagine these changes. Have you ever thought of taking a partner into your business? How would it work? Don’t you think the qualifier on your license would like to retire one day? If…

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General Questions for Contractors

Some ‘general’ questions from our contractors this time. Are you an RMO? How much do you get paid for qualifying the license? A contractor is seeking ‘credit’ from the Board, while another wants to be ‘shown the money’. Finally, I’ll help a contractor find the fastest way to add some low voltage ‘juice’ to his bids.…

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Suspected Fraud, Fictitious Names

Suspected fraud, fictitious names and ink stained fingers tell these contractors tales. Unfortunately, some stories don’t have a happy ending. For two of these contractor’s problems the solutions are relatively straightforward, but another will find my answer ‘stings’ and ignorance of the law is no excuse… Q: I passed my exam and was given a letter…

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Working Across State Lines

Some of the most interesting questions, or strange twists, on contractors licensing law come to me from contractors interested in working across state lines. While California has its own comprehensive and complex rules for contractors, other states add their own unique requirements you need to know before you bid across the border… Q. I am licensed…

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Cost of License

What’s it cost to get your license now? Those fees and associated costs have risen with some new requirements. Is there a ‘handywoman’ license? Every contractor with employees should take note of the important news regarding a recent court decision… Q: I’m going to need a CA contractor’s license. I’ve been working as a cabinetmaker outside…

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Disabled Veterans

From ‘junk’ mail to e-mail spam, if someone believes they can sell you something in a message, they will find a way. Are you a disabled veteran? A major business expo for contractors with military service is just around the corner. New developments in how the Board handles fingerprinting may be one way for contractors to…

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