By Shauna Krause, President, Capitol Services, Inc.
Our first contractor gets three strikes and is out, but I help him with a little ‘groundskeeping’ option. I am often consulted as unexpected change affects a licensee, and offer an expert answer and my condolences. This is an answer that may help others plan for change…
Q: Can a “C-12” (Earthwork and Paving) contractor in CA do standalone residential drainage projects? In particular, can the contractor lay pipe running from drywall gravel drainage pits to the house and connect with gutter downspouts? If the answer is ‘no’, can a Contractor with a class “A” and/or class “B” license do that?
A: A “C-12” cannot perform the work described, nor would a contractor with an “A” (General Engineering) and “B” (General Building) license be permitted to do it. However, there is an answer! A”C-27” (Landscaping) license would be the appropriate classification to contract for and perform a standalone residential drainage project.
Q: My husband, who is the license holder for our corporation, passed away a few weeks ago. He was close to retirement and the plan was to close down the corporation, so I need to take care of that. I am the Secretary/CFO of the company and am listed on the license as “Officer”. When I called the CSLB, they suggested that I request a continuance for the license. However, that seems unnecessary when I’m not planning on continuing work with the license. Do you have any advice?
A: First of all, I’m sorry for your loss. With regards to the license, a continuance is only filed when the license belongs to a Sole Proprietorship or a Partnership. With a Corporation, you have 90 days to notify the CSLB of changes to the license. If you are planning on shutting down operations within 90 days of when he passed, and you don’t intend on signing any new contracts, I would suggest just cancelling the license when you are ready. If you change your mind and decide to continue operations or sell the business or something, please contact me again and we can discuss the necessary changes and updates you would be required to make.
Q: I have a pending application with the CSLB and I have passed the exams, sent in the bonds, sent in proof of Worker’s Comp insurance, and completed the fingerprinting requirement. When I look up the status of my application on the CSLB’s website it says “APP TO CRIMINAL BACKGROUND UNIT – DLY”, followed by “APP TO CRIMINAL BACKGROUND UNIT – FBI”. Do you have any insight on what that would mean? I have a conviction from over thirty years ago so I can’t imagine that would be what is holding it up.
A: A conviction, regardless of when it occurred, is likely what the hold-up is. When your application goes to the criminal background unit, most of the time it just means the FBI or the DOJ (or both) have not “cleared” your prints because they are reviewing things. The vast majority of the time, it doesn’t mean you will not be approved for a license, you just have to wait a bit longer.
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While knowledge is power, knowing where to go for the answers is half he 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