By Shauna Krause, President, Capitol Services, Inc.
I will share info to keep some contractors out of ‘hot’ water, expertly ‘disappoint’ another for his ‘inactivity’ and boost knowledge in a complex ‘restructuring’ question…
Q: We are considering bidding on a project as a Joint Venture (JV) with another company. Once we obtain a license for that project, if we have future projects that we want to bid on together, do we need to get a separate JV license for each project? I wasn’t sure if JV licenses are project specific or if they are specific to the joint entities who originally obtain the license.
A: Joint venture licenses are not project specific. They are issued to the joint entities and are required to be renewed every two years just like all other contractor’s licenses.
Q: Does a “C-20” (HVAC) contractor have the ability to install and repair water heaters?
A: “C-20”-HVAC contractors are permitted to install/repair water heating heat pumps or heat pump water heaters only. “C-36”-Plumbing contractors can install/repair all types of water heaters.
Q: I currently have an Inactive General Building (“B”) license. It’s been on that status for about four years. I would like to reactivate it and add the “C-33” (Painting) classification to the license to be able to start advertising and marketing as a painting contractor. Will I be required to take the “C-33” trade exam, or will the CSLB waive the exam based on my “B” qualification?
A: B&P code section 7065.3 allows for no examination when adding a classification if several factors are true. The classification being added is required to be, as determined by the Registrar, closely related to the classification of which the license. The Qualifying Individual is required to document that the classification being added is a significant part of the work he/she has performed with their existing license. Also, and this is the part of the statute which will not allow for you to be granted a waiver of the “C-33” Trade exam, the Qualifying Individual must have been listed on the license actively for five out of the last seven years. The fact that your license has been on Inactive status for the previous four years excludes you from the 7065.3 waiver.
Q: Our company recently re-structured and as part of the changes, both our qualifying individual and the only officer we had listed on our listed both left the company simultaneously. Therefore, we need to replace our Qualifier and update the CSLB with the new Officer. Can you tell me if there is any order to how we should submit for these updates, or are we able to submit both the new RME and new Officer applications at the same time?
A: The first step would be update the CA Secretary of State records with the new Officer(s). You can file both the new Qualifier and new Officer(s) applications at the same time, BUT if the new Qualifier is an RME (Responsible Managing Employee), the CSLB will not accept the application until an Officer has been added to the license and the new Officer added has signed the new RME application. That means the new Officer will need to submit a new personnel application, get fingerprinted and pass the background check before the CSLB will process the RME application. When you submit the new Qualifier application, you may want to request a 90-day extension for replacing the Qualifier in case the updates take longer then 90 days which is highly likely.
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While knowledge is power, knowing where to go for the answers is half the battle. Get expert assistance immediately when you call 866-443-0657, email info@cutredtape.com, or write us at Capitol Services, Inc., 3609 Bradshaw Rd, Ste H, #343, Sacramento, CA 95827. Search past columns at www.cutredtape.com