Whether you are working as a plumber, a carpenter, an electrician, or any other home improvement service, you need to get your contractor license to be able to practice safely. Most customers prefer to work with licensed contractors, because they know the State Board of Regulations and Standards back the work. Applying for a license is easy, and will have long-term benefits to your business.
The first step is to determine which state and counties you will be practicing in. Once this is decided, you can submit your application to be certified by the Contractors' State License Board (CSLB). You can get your application at the CSLB Website, by calling (800) 321-2752, or at your local CSLB office.
Regardless of industry, most contractors have state specific exams they must take to be a certified contractor. These exams are open book, and are mostly multiple-choice. If you are applying to be a master contractor, you may also have to take a legal exam, as well as show proof you’ve completed your journeyman exam. The journeyman exam requires you to show proficiency in the trade you are applying for.
These exams can cost anywhere between $100-$700, so it is important you spend time studying. Even if you have already passed an exam from another state, you will need to take the desired state’s exam. Once you’ve taken your exam you will be qualified to make bids on projects of $500 or greater. These exams take place once a month, and have their deadlines on the 20th of the preceding month.
In order to qualify for the contractor licensing exam you must be:
· At least 18 years old
· Proof you are a US citizen and/or allowed to do work in the US
· If there are citations or violations resulting from prior work, you must document the events and their causes
· Registered with the Secretary of State if you are the owner
Once you have passed the exam you will be certified for two years. Should you pass the exam before you intend to begin practicing, you can designate your license as inactive, which will keep it valid for four years. You will also need to be bonded, which means that should your client not be satisfied with your work, they can appeal to be reimbursed. You will be able to ask for compensation a head of your work, and most clients feel securer with bonded contractors.