Becoming a licensed contractor in California is not just a matter of filling out a form. In addition to passing a written competency test, candidates need to have at least four years of relevant experience or education in the field.
It has always been an intimidating and confusing process for many people with little practical guidance available. In an effort to offset the lack of help available to would-be candidates, the Contractor State License School came into being in 1974 and has been helping applicants prepare since its inception.
“California is a big state with a lot of people. The need for contractors is at an all-time high and we know that this process is not easy to get through on your own,” said Eric Jacobs, owner of the school. “We were possibly the very first contractors license school in San Fernando Valley.”
He went on to say, “In this high-tech age, it is not just candidates in the Los Angeles area that we help prepare for Californian certification, but people in different states from all over the country. Thanks to the Internet, students can attend classes and study online if necessary, rather than attend in person. Personal attendance is still the best choice if possible but online is a very good second way.”
Rules and laws vary state by state of course, but California law clearly states that property owners who have improvement or repair work done to a building are required to use a contractor licensed by the state if the total cost of that work is above five hundred dollars. As that total includes both the materials used and the labor costs, it means that almost anything but the simplest of jobs is going to require a licensed contractor. Five hundred dollars is a low figure and easily reached.
As a result of such a low figure, property owners can sometimes be tempted to use uncertified contractors who may not provide up to code work. Substandard work may not only lead to dangerous safety concerns, but also to significant fines. It is not only an illegally operating contractor who gets fined but the property owner too.
The Contractors State License Board has established statewide investigative fraud teams that focus on unlicensed contractors and the underground economy. These units conduct stings and sweeps to curtail illegal contracting activities in Los Angeles and throughout California.
For those wishing to be legally certified, passing the California Contractor License Exam is not a simple or straightforward process. Although there are no financial requirements for obtaining a contractor’s license with the state, applicants must hold a $15,000 surety bond before their license is issued. Applicants need to be above the age of 18 and they will need to be able to document their experience and/or education in the field.
A surety bond is only the first hurdle. In addition, for most applicants, there are three parts to the certification process that need to be successfully completed. In order to be certified, individuals must pass a Standard Law and Business examination, and in addition, a second test covering the specific trade or certification area for which they are applying. Neither exam is easy and candidates who have gone it alone are more likely to fail.
The last part of the process is the paperwork itself. The paperwork necessary for a successful application is challenging at best. It is possible to successfully pass both exams but still fail overall because the accompanying paperwork is not correct or complete.
“Students who attend our flexible classes for contractors license in San Fernando Valley are generally successful the first time of trying. It’s easy to be distracted with self-study and that’s probably the reason why so many self-taught applicants fail,” said Jacobs.
The Contractors State License Center has helped many successful candidates to become licensed contractors and has a money-back guarantee that their students will pass the first time.
The California contractor license exam is challenging and most people need some outside assistance or study material in order to pass it. Contractors State License Center has been a contractor school in Los Angeles for over 20 years.
3014 West Burbank Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505
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