RELATED SEARCHES
Sponsored Contractors License Results:
General Contractors State License: California, Florida
By:
Published: February 15, 2007
Like many professional occupations, a contractors license is usually awarded by a state licensing agency or state government board. Contractors require state licensure or certification in the state where they practice. Although the requirements for a general contractors license or specialized contractors license may seem universal across many states, other states may have more or less stringent requirements.
The requirements to earn a specialized or general contractors license is legislated by each individual state.
However, there are some requirements that are almost universally required to obtain a contractors license. Nearly all states require that the applicant for a license be 18 years old and possess a high school diploma or its equivalent, proof of United States' citizenship or legal residency, and a comprehensive list of other professional licenses held in the state. Almost all states also require declarations and explanations of any violations, citations or liens issued to the applicant resulting from construction work. Compulsory of those seeking a contractors license and in some cases specialized contractors license, includes filing with the Secretary of State, holding an occupation or business license, and posting a state license bond .
Most states also have additional prerequisites for those wishing to earn a contractors license. The majority of states require a combination of practical, on-site experience and classroom training. In many cases, states have an in-state residency requirement that varies in length depending on the state licensing board. Depending on the state, contractors applying for a contractors license must have insurance, liability insurance, and in some cases, workers' compensation insurance before earning their license.
In other states, a special contractors license is issued specifically for those in positions such as workers, supervisors, project designers, roofing workers or roofing supervisor. Other states require a special contractors license for certain trades, such as for electricians or plumbers. While in other cases, a state may also have requirements for contractors handling dangerous materials, most notably asbestos. As a result, special training and certification is required from the federal agency, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), before filing for a contractors license.
Two of the United State's most popularly sought after contractors state licenses are from the state of Florida and California. Perhaps the most stringent of the states, Florida and California also offer some the country's most lucrative opportunities for skilled tradesmen that are well worth the time and effort.
Florida requires all construction workers possess a Florida contractors license. The state offers registration at the city and county level as well as at the state level. Two divisions of Florida contractors licenses are available. The first division is comprised of broad licenses that include general, building and residential contractors license. Division 2 contractors reflect a host of specialties and sub specialties that include solar, gas line, and sheet metal licenses among nearly 20 different fields.
In order to take the exam, an applicant must be at least 18 years old and meet one of six requirements composed of varying combinations of on-site practice, in-class education, and management experience. The exam for the Florida certification features questions that test the applicants business skills, financial skills, and knowledge of their trade. The final requirement for state certification is securing worker's compensation coverage and display financial responsibility.
California's State License Board supervises nearly 300,000 contractors and prides itself on protecting 12.2 million homeowners in California. Concerned primarily with investigating consumer complaints against contractors and working to eliminate non-certified contractors in California, the state agency is also responsible for issuing those qualified with a contractors state license. Most construction workers are required to possess a California contractors license to work on nearly any project in California.
In order to be eligible for a California contractors license, the applicant is required to have at least four years experience as an owner-builder, contractor, supervising employee, foreman or journeyman. In addition, California mandates special compliance measures for those working with asbestos, removal of substances deemed hazardous, or removing or installing subterranean storage tanks.
California offers three different license classifications: Class A for general engineering contractors, Class B for general building contractors, and Class C for specialty contractors. Class C specialty licenses are required for 40 different classifications and 30 different subclassifications. Regardless of the type of license or specialization, the applicant must take and pass the state boards Business and Law Exam . The exam includes sections on business practices, bid preparations, contracts, contract operations, safety, labor, and legal.
Although navigating some states licensing and certifying procedures may seem like a quagmire, some states offer programs to make the procedure more worthwhile. In some cases, states offer reciprocity or endorsement agreements with other states. In such a case, a contractor licensed in one state is allowed to practice in other state's within the agreement. California, for example, has reciprocity agreements with neighboring states Arizona, Nevada and Utah. Although such agreements do not exempt contractors completely from the licensure process, it does offer exemption for some of the required exams.
Sources:
How to get a contractor's license. Contractor's License Reference Site. 2004. Craftsman Book Company. 6 Feb 2007 <http://www.contractors-license.org/>.
Florida. 2004. Craftsman Book Company. 6 Feb 2007 < http://www.contractors-license.org/fl/fl.htm>.< br />California. 2004. Craftsman Book Company. 6 Feb 2007 <http://www.contractors-license.org/ca/ca.htm&g t;.
Iow . 2004. Craftsman Book Company. 6 Feb 2007 <http://www.contractors-license.org/ia/ia.htm&g t;.
Quick Fact . 2007. State of California. 6 Feb 2007 <http://www.cslb.ca.gov/about/qckfcts.asp>.< br />CSLB Reciprocity Program. 2007. State of California. 6 Feb 2007 <http://www.cslb.ca.gov/contractors/reciprocity .asp>.
The requirements to earn a specialized or general contractors license is legislated by each individual state.
Related Articles
Most states also have additional prerequisites for those wishing to earn a contractors license. The majority of states require a combination of practical, on-site experience and classroom training. In many cases, states have an in-state residency requirement that varies in length depending on the state licensing board. Depending on the state, contractors applying for a contractors license must have insurance, liability insurance, and in some cases, workers' compensation insurance before earning their license.
In other states, a special contractors license is issued specifically for those in positions such as workers, supervisors, project designers, roofing workers or roofing supervisor. Other states require a special contractors license for certain trades, such as for electricians or plumbers. While in other cases, a state may also have requirements for contractors handling dangerous materials, most notably asbestos. As a result, special training and certification is required from the federal agency, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), before filing for a contractors license.
Two of the United State's most popularly sought after contractors state licenses are from the state of Florida and California. Perhaps the most stringent of the states, Florida and California also offer some the country's most lucrative opportunities for skilled tradesmen that are well worth the time and effort.
Florida requires all construction workers possess a Florida contractors license. The state offers registration at the city and county level as well as at the state level. Two divisions of Florida contractors licenses are available. The first division is comprised of broad licenses that include general, building and residential contractors license. Division 2 contractors reflect a host of specialties and sub specialties that include solar, gas line, and sheet metal licenses among nearly 20 different fields.
In order to take the exam, an applicant must be at least 18 years old and meet one of six requirements composed of varying combinations of on-site practice, in-class education, and management experience. The exam for the Florida certification features questions that test the applicants business skills, financial skills, and knowledge of their trade. The final requirement for state certification is securing worker's compensation coverage and display financial responsibility.
California's State License Board supervises nearly 300,000 contractors and prides itself on protecting 12.2 million homeowners in California. Concerned primarily with investigating consumer complaints against contractors and working to eliminate non-certified contractors in California, the state agency is also responsible for issuing those qualified with a contractors state license. Most construction workers are required to possess a California contractors license to work on nearly any project in California.
In order to be eligible for a California contractors license, the applicant is required to have at least four years experience as an owner-builder, contractor, supervising employee, foreman or journeyman. In addition, California mandates special compliance measures for those working with asbestos, removal of substances deemed hazardous, or removing or installing subterranean storage tanks.
California offers three different license classifications: Class A for general engineering contractors, Class B for general building contractors, and Class C for specialty contractors. Class C specialty licenses are required for 40 different classifications and 30 different subclassifications. Regardless of the type of license or specialization, the applicant must take and pass the state boards Business and Law Exam . The exam includes sections on business practices, bid preparations, contracts, contract operations, safety, labor, and legal.
Although navigating some states licensing and certifying procedures may seem like a quagmire, some states offer programs to make the procedure more worthwhile. In some cases, states offer reciprocity or endorsement agreements with other states. In such a case, a contractor licensed in one state is allowed to practice in other state's within the agreement. California, for example, has reciprocity agreements with neighboring states Arizona, Nevada and Utah. Although such agreements do not exempt contractors completely from the licensure process, it does offer exemption for some of the required exams.
Sources:
How to get a contractor's license. Contractor's License Reference Site. 2004. Craftsman Book Company. 6 Feb 2007 <http://www.contractors-license.org/>.
Florida. 2004. Craftsman Book Company. 6 Feb 2007 < http://www.contractors-license.org/fl/fl.htm>.< br />California. 2004. Craftsman Book Company. 6 Feb 2007 <http://www.contractors-license.org/ca/ca.htm&g t;.
Iow . 2004. Craftsman Book Company. 6 Feb 2007 <http://www.contractors-license.org/ia/ia.htm&g t;.
Quick Fact . 2007. State of California. 6 Feb 2007 <http://www.cslb.ca.gov/about/qckfcts.asp>.< br />CSLB Reciprocity Program. 2007. State of California. 6 Feb 2007 <http://www.cslb.ca.gov/contractors/reciprocity .asp>.
Featured Contractors License Products:
