By Shauna Krause, President, Capitol Services
Credit where credit is due as experience is a bonus! Another contractor is chill, but might ‘boil’ over with the answer to his question. Six of one, half dozen of another, or 6/7 as younger folks might say, but which will test our last contractor the most?…
Q: I have been working for an HOA/Property Management company for over five years. I coordinate and manage repair and reconstruction projects, I do vendor and subcontractor coordination, construction scheduling and project logistics, emergency repair, and general project oversight and communication between owners, vendors, and residents. I wanted to see whether my background and experience may potentially qualify toward the CSLB experience requirements for a “B”(General) license.
A: It doesn’t sound like it from what you described. The CSLB requires that you show at least four years of full time experience performing and supervising general building work, preferably working for a licensed General building contractor. Without working directly for licensed “B” contractor, they would require you to provide permits pulled in your name for the work plus inspection reports. I’m guessing you wouldn’t be able to do that because it is my understanding you cannot pull a permit for general building work without a “B” license.
Q: We currently have a “B” (General Building) and a “C-20” (HVAC) license. We are looking at buying a new business which also installs boilers and does refrigeration. We plan to apply for a new license under our entity with a ‘dba’ of the company name we are purchasing. The seller is not going to be associated with the business. I’m trying to figure out if our current licensure covers everything. Can we do boiler installs and refrigeration work with what we currently have? If the answer is no, will our Responsible Managing Officer (RMO) be required to do further testing?
A: You will need to add the “C-4” (Boiler) and the “C-38” (Refrigeration) classifications to perform this work independently. If the boiler installs and refrigeration work is part of an overall general building project, then you would be covered with your B. Both the C-4 and C38 classifications would require your RMO to take and pass the trade exams and document at least four years of experience performing and supervising the trade work. He/she would need to apply for the classifications one at a time.
Q: We are a corporation out of Missouri and we have been approached by one of our Franchise customers to build their facilities in several States out West including California, Nevada, and Arizona. We are debating whether to have our employee, who will be the license holder, take the individual State exams, or take the NASCLA exam which I understand works in lieu of the State exams. What would you suggest?
A: I have heard the NASCLA exam is much more difficult than the State exams, however it is accepted in several States in the US in lieu of the State trade exam. Some States such as CA, NV, and AZ still require a Business/Law test regardless of whether the individual has passed the NASCLA exam, so either way there will be some testing to obtain a contractor’s license in the three States we handle. I would leave it up to your Qualifying Individual. It’s either more trade tests that are “easier”, or one trade test that is much more difficult and requires a lot more study time!
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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