California
Construction Work Regulated -
Licensing requirements exist for all commercial, residential and public works construction involving projects of $300 or more.
Certification is required before any contractor mat engage in Asbestos related work. Certification is also required for the remediation of contaminated soils at specified sites and for installation/removal of underground storage (fuel) tanks.
Separate pre-qualification is also required for all public works contracts in excess of $5,000 and contracts awarded by the Departments of Water Resources, General Services (contracts over $300,000), Boating and Waterways, Corrections and Transportation.
Property owners performing work themselves or contracting with licensed sub-contractors or general building contractors are exempt from licensing requirements under certain conditions.
Who Regulates Construction -
The "Contractor's Statement of Experience and Financial Condition" which contractors are required to submit to prequalify for public works contracts can be obtained from:
California Department of General Services
Office of the State Architect
ATTN: Finance and Prequalification Division
400 P Street, 5th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-322-3128
Certification for the performance of Asbestos-related work (over 100 sq. ft.), certification for performance of Hazardous Substances Removal and applications for contractor licenses and licensing information can be obtained from:
Contractor's State License Board
9835 Goethe Road / P.O. Box 26000
Sacramento, CA 95827
(800) 321-2752
Requirements -
First time applicants are subject to a business and law examination and a trade examination. Exam results are good for five years.
Applicants must document four years experience within the last ten years as a journeyman, foreman, supervising employee or contractor in the classification being sought.
Payment / performance bonds are required for public works contracts in excess of $25,000.
Applicants must verify that their operating capital exceeds $2,500.
Any two or more licensees desiring to act in the capacity of a joint venture or combination, must secure an additional license to do so.
Foreign corporations must be registered with the California Secretary of State's office before a contractor's license will be issued.
A license bond of $5,000 is required on all active licenses. A separate "Bond of Qualifying Individual" also in the amount of $5,000 is required for a Responsible Managing Employee. A Responsible Managing Officer owning 10% or more of the voting stock or equity of a license is exempt from posting the additional "Bond of Qualifying Individual".
A license bond of $10,000 is required for swimming pool contractors.
Reciprocal Agreements -
Limited reciprocal agreements exist with Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. The benefit of the reciprocity is limited to a waiver of the trade examination if the applicant is applying for a similar classification, the out-of-state license is current and in good standing and has been in effect for at least the past five years.
Types of Licenses -
General Licenses
A General Engineering Contractor
B General Building Contractor
Speciality Contractor's Licenses
C-2 Insulation and Acoustical
C-4 Boiler, Hot Water Heating and Steam Fitting
C-6 Cabinet and Millwork
C-7 Low Voltage Systems
C-8 Concrete
C-9 Drywall
C-10 Electrical
C-11 Elevator Installation
C-12 Earthwork and Paving
C-13 Fencing
C-14 Metal Roofing
C-15 Flooring and Floor Covering
C-16 Fire Protection
C-17 Glazing
C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning
C-21 Building Moving and Demolition
C-23 Ornamental Metal
C-26 Lathing
C-27 Landscaping
C-29 Masonry
C-32 Parking and Highway Improvement
C-33 Painting and Decorating
C-34 Pipeline
C-35 Plastering
C-36 Plumbing
C-38 Refrigeration
C-39 Roofing
C-42 Sanitation System
C-43 Sheet Metal
C-45 Electrical Sign
C-46 Solar
C-47 General Manufactured Housing
C-50 Reinforcing Steel
C-51 Structural Steel
C-53 Swimming Pool
C-54 Tile (Ceramic and Mosaic)
C-55 Water Conditioning
C-57 Well Drilling (Water)
C-60 Welding
C-61 Limited Specialty
Certifications -
Asbestos
Hazardous Substances