By Shauna Krause, President, Capitol Services
Creation and preservation of building art is getting a loophole! Oakland, San Francisco and Sacramento are among many CA locales where artists have created a new vision in city living. Painters still need a “C-33”, while another contractor discovers he’s already ‘forfeited’ the game before it got played…
Q: I’ve been reading your articles, and I know that a Responsible Managing Employee (RME)/Responsible Managing Officer (RMO) needs to have four years of experience in the trade. Is there any requirement that he/she be employed by our company for a certain amount of time?
A: No, there is no certain amount of time required, just that the individual be employed by the company when you file the application.
Q: In CA we have two entities with Class “B” contractor’s licenses. One also has a “C-33” classification added for Painting and Decorating. We are trying to determine why our other entity does not also have this classification. Do you have any information about the “C-33”? What types of activities would give rise to the need for this additional class? If needed, what would we need, or our Qualifier, need to do?
A: You would only need the “C-33”(Painting) license in addition to the “B” if the company does projects which only involve painting. “B” contractors cannot self-perform single trade specialty work without the appropriate specialty classification.
If you decide the other company also needs the “C-33”, you would need to apply to add the classification to your license. Your Qualifier is required to show at least four years of experience performing and supervising painting work and take the appropriate exam(s). If you are using your “B” qualifier, he/she may be able to waive the “C-33” Trade exam. Call my office to discuss the requirements and conditions for this option.
Q: We filed to replace our Qualifying Individual a few weeks ago. The CSLB just called to let us know they cannot process our application due to our company being “forfeited” with the CA Secretary of State. The person I spoke with was unable to give me any further information. Do you know what that means, and what it does to our pending application for a new Qualifier?
A: I checked the CA Secretary Of State (SOS) and your corporation is “FTB forfeited” (Franchise Tax Board), which means the company has not filed tax returns, hasn’t paid them, or possibly both. You’ll need to contact the FTB to find out what needs to be done. Your Qualifier application will be put on hold until the entity is back to active status with the SOS.
Attention Muralists! A new law goes into effect on January 1, 2026 which exempts “an artist who draws, paints, applies, executes, restores, or conserves a mural”. The law defines a mural to include “a unique work of fine art” that is “drawn or painted by hand directly onto interior or exterior walls or ceilings, fixtures, or other appurtenances of a building or structure.”
The new law does not apply to painted wall signs, which still requires a contractor’s license.
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