In all the years assisting contractors no one has ever asked us to get it done slowly! I always offer a ‘speedy’ answer because time is still money. A second contractor question begins in the far north, while the last highlights a situation that could end in potential disaster without immediate action…
Q: I need to obtain a CA license fairly quickly for a job I’m being requested to do. Is that something that you can help me with? I see exams will be required. If I do not pass on the first attempt, what is the process from there?
A: We can definitely assist you with the entire process and do our best to speed up the normal processing time. We offer you study materials to prepare for the exams, so you should be just fine with passing the first time around. BUT, if for some reason you do not, you are required to wait three weeks to re-test. The CSLB allows you to take the exams as many times as you need to within 18 months.
Q: We are a large Solar Company out of Canada and we have work coming up in California. We don’t self-perform any work but understand we still need to be licensed which requires a “Qualified” individual. We are unsure about who to designate to fulfill this role. We have plenty of what we consider qualified members, but they aren’t physically out in the field doing the work. One of our owners who is willing to sit for the exams did work out in the field for his Father but it was in the 90’s. What are your thoughts on that individual acting as our Responsible Managing Officer (RMO)?
A: The CSLB will only accept experience gained within the last ten years. The requirement is four years of fulltime work experience, with at least one of those years being hands-on “in the field” experience. If you don’t currently have anyone on board, you may need to hire an employee who has the requisite experience as your RMO.
Q: I’m an attorney representing a client who has a Sole Proprietorship Contractor’s License in California. He incorporated in 2021 and has been operating as such since incorporation. My question is does he need to apply and obtain a new Contractor’s license? Or, is it enough that he, as the sole Officer of the Corporation, is actively licensed with his own personal license?
A: Your client needs to apply for a new license if that’s how he is doing business now. Whenever there is a change in business entity, a new license is required and doing business under an entity without its own license faces all the legal risks of an unlicensed contractor, even if one (or more) of the Officers is individually licensed.
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.