Getting a California contractors license

[andybuildz]

OK, here I go again.
I think it was a little over seven years ago when I made a bid on some acreage in Sebastopol Ca.(that eventually was turned down) and needed to know what the deal was with getting my license.
I've been contractor here in NY for over thirty years. Mainly in the Huntington area of Long Island. Now that my c:1680 farmhouse that I restored and built onto is "finally" sold...I hope..(see the Goose Hill Rd project in my site: http://www.cliffordrenovations.com ) I bid on a piece of property WITH a house on it (who'd a thought I don't have to build me one) in California again.

The property we're in contract on is in the upper valley of Carmel Valley/Monterey on ten acres. I was "shocked" how the prices there dropped so much...kinda helped the blow of how little I got for my house...don't even ask...ugh.

Here's the property I bid on in case yer wondering. It's a short sale I bid almost $100K less than asking price. The HO's gave my offer a thumbs up so now we're in contract..but now the bank has to approve my offer..ugh.. http://www.movoto.com/real-estate/ho...0_80912161.htm
edit: It isn't realy a "gated" community...gated means it's gonna cost me about $2200 a year to keep the road in order and the water clean and runnin' being it's a private well that supplies about 30 houses in the area.

Anyway..as long as the deals go through...with a closing date on the house I'm selling being April Fools Day...of course..the next biggest hurdle will be to drum up some work in the area. I know how slow things are all over btw so lets not even get into that...I'm already depressed about that..but I do have some gigs still going which soon will dry up so moving west won't be any worse than staying here (I hope). I need to think positive and use all the marketing techniques I've learned over the decades.

Here's the question...takes me awhile...lol: I need to get my California license. I think it was Dick S that had given me some great advice but that was seven years ago so....
I need to know the ups'n downs and the best way of getting one ASAP! I know there's quite a few courses that help you. Any good...or do without?

Here in NY the test is a piece of cake and a few bucks but I hear it's a whole lot more difficult on the left coast.
Thanx
andy

[David Meiland]

You need to get on a (long?) waiting list and then take a test. Written affadavits of journey level experience that can be verified by the examiner are required, it was 8000 hours when I tested. I believe they have now added a requirement for insurance also.

[andybuildz]

You need to get on a (long?) waiting list and then take a test. Written affadavits of journey level experience that can be verified by the examiner are required, it was 8000 hours when I tested. I believe they have now added a requirement for insurance also.

Thanks David,
Well 30+ years in my own biz aughta cover it but how do they determine proof for journey level experience?
Didn't Dick work for the licensing department?
Waitin' for him to see this...I think it was Dick.

[David Meiland]

Before you leave NY, get all those affadavits DONE! It will be hell to do from a distance, trying to get people to fill out and mail back. I'm sure you can get all the licensing requirements on the CSLB website.... cslb.ca.gov or something like that.

[aerieandy]

Andy,
In Berkeley there is a book store that also has website
http://www.buildersbooksource.com/cg...ite/index.html
Its a great resource and the staff knows their inventory well. In short, instead of a course, with your experience I would just get a good prep book with example tests that you can practice on. They also can send you a License Law Book and any code books you need.
If I remember correctly some State Licenses are considered sufficient experience to sit for the test but you can find out for sure at CSLB.gov.
As for the wait list I think the recession put a big dent in it, again the CSLB will have a FAQ section.
It was my experience that the test was a an exercise in hoop jumping for the trade section, I had to remember what size blasting caps to use for certain situations and how close I'm allowed to build to a rail line. Or how bout what tool would you use to cut a round hole?
The License Law section was a whole different story and I learned a ton, mostly stuff that has saved my bacon since.

Good luck,
Andy

[andybuildz]

andy and David...thanks for all that advice. Good flash about getting things filled out and done before we leave (assuming everything goes as planned). Thats one of the reasons I'm asking here.
DW asked me why I don't just Google info and my answer was..because you guys are my peers and have been through it.
Google will no doubt will help me a lot but you guys I'm sure will fill in all the missing spaces.
My daughter lives in SF and is in Berkely a lot. Maybe I'll send her there to check into some books for me as well as look on line.
edit: wow...just opened that link..THANKS!
Mucho thanxo
a

[Dick Seibert]

Andy:

California doesn't have a reciprocity agreement with new York to my knowledge, so you will have to start from scratch.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
7. What kind of experience is required for a contractor
license?
At least four (4) years of experience is required to qualify to take the examination. Credit for experience is given only for experience at a journey level or as a foreman, supervising employee, contractor, or owner-builder. These are defined, as follows:

● A journeyman is a person who has completed an apprenticeship program or is an experienced worker, not a trainee, and is fully qualified and able to perform the trade without supervision.
● A foreman or supervisor is a person who has the knowledge and skill of a journeyman and directly supervises physical construction.
● A contractor is a person who manages the daily activities of a construction business, including field supervision.
● An owner-builder is a person who has the knowledge and skills of a journeyman, who performs work on his or her own property, and who has the skills necessary to manage the daily activities of a construction business, including field supervision.

All experience claims must be verified by a qualified and responsible person, such as a homeowner, an employer, fellow employee, other journeyman, contractor, union representative, building inspector, architect, or engineer. The person verifying your claim must have firsthand knowledge of your experience during the time period covered—that is, he or she must have observed the work that you have done and must complete the Certification of Work Experience form, which is included with the application. Even if you provide a Certification of Work Experience form, be prepared to furnish documentation of any experience you claim on the form whenever documentation will result in rejection of your application or denial of the license.

8. Are there education requirements for a license?

No. You do not have to meet any education requirements in order to qualify for a contractor license. However, many community colleges and private schools offer instruction in vocational education. For more information, contact the:

Chancellor’s Office, California Community Colleges
1102 Q Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cccco.edu
(NOTE: CSLB will not make referrals or recommendations regarding
license preparation schools.)

9. May I substitute any education, technical training, or apprenticeship training for the required experience?

You may receive credit for technical training, apprenticeship training, or education instead of a portion of the required four years of practical experience; at least one year must be practical experience. You must provide written documentation of any training or education claimed in place of experience. Acceptable documentation includes copies of apprenticeship certificates and college transcripts.

10. How much credit can I expect to receive for technical training, the completion of an approved apprenticeship program, or related college or university education?

CSLB may credit training, apprenticeship, or education, as follows:

A maximum of one-and-one-half (1-1/2) years upon submission of transcripts of the following:

● An Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree from an accredited school or college in building or construction management;

A maximum of two (2) years upon submission of transcripts from any of the following:

● A four-year degree from an accredited college or university in the fields of accounting, business, economics, mathematics, physics, or areas related to the specific trade or craft for which application is being made;

● A professional degree in law; or

● Substantial college or university course work in accounting, architecture, business, construction technology, drafting, economics, engineering, mathematics, or physics.

A maximum of three (3) years upon submission of any of the following:

● A Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship from an accredited apprenticeship program or a certified statement of completion of apprenticeship training from a union in the classification for which application is being made;

● Submission of transcripts for a four-year degree from an accredited college or university in architecture, construction technology, or any field of engineering that is directly related to the classification for which application is being made; or

● Submission of transcripts for a four-year degree from an accredited college or university in the field of horticulture or landscape horticulture for the Landscaping (C-27) classification.

Go this site to check things out, your big chore now is to get the certificates of experience forms and get credible people to sign them, they use to check 1 in 10 certificates, but being from as far away as New York, and with reduced work load now, I bet they check everything you submit, at least go on the assumption that every certificate filed will be personally checked, state and local authorities are looking for something to do to avoid furloughs. .

Congratulations for getting the Carmel Valley home, I didn't think you could buy a dog house in Carmel Valley for $600,000, this just goes to show how far prices have fallen.

[andybuildz]

Thanks Dick..I found that site a cpl of hours ago and I see that my current contractors license here in NY will at least work to prove my standing as at least a journeyman so that's one bit covered...I think.

Looks like I have a bunch to prepare for in getting my license b/4 I leave but I do have till April 1st at least to take care of these things.
I'll keep you all posted.

and yeh...you're right about the falling prices. I'd NEVER have dreamt I could find a place like that for that kinda dough...not that I have it yet but with all the foreclosures and preforclosures...wow.

My wife's been a RE agent over 30 years and she just showed me in one of her sites showing maps of any area you want. It shows pre-forclosures which means, people that are behind on their payments. It's VERY scary to see. In Carmel Valley there's tons and in my neck of the woods, tons more and in the lower income areas it's mind staggering!!
I seriously thought I mighta been on that list one day although I have been doing jobs and DW is still selling RE so....

so now IS the time to pick up one of these dream homes if you have the money.
I'm hoping that moving to another wealthy area I can pick up some jobs with the skills I've got under my belt. I don't need much so..
Life ain't no dress rehearsal so I say...go for it while you can.