Contractors License Guru Blog

CSLB Employees of the Month

Today we are highlighting the outstanding efforts put forward by two CSLB employees who go above and beyond the call of stupidity. Employee #1 rejected an application because some of the experience provided went past the ten year limit. IF, the experience provided needed to include the time that went past the ten year limit, […]

CSLB Examines Comp Exemptions

The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is turning their attention to contractors who they believe should be carrying workers compensation. In the newsletter article below, the CSLB discusses their plan to look into whether or not a licensee who submitted a workers comp exempt form should actually be carrying a workers comp policy. Right off […]

CSLB Changing the Rules

The CSLB is changing the rules again! I spoke to an applicant today who’s application was voided by the CSLB. After months of back and forth with the Contractors State License Board where they continued to ask for more and more documentation, they voided his application without offering the “options” letter. The “options” letter is […]

CSLB Gestapo Tactics

Contractor RMOs for Hire

The CSLB released their Winter 2015-16 newsletter last week. One article discussed contractor RMOs for hire. Section 7068.1 of the Business and Professions code states: …”responsible for exercising that direct supervision and control of his or her employer’s or principal’s construction operations to secure compliance with this chapter and the rules and regulations of the […]

owner builder experience

Owner Builder Experience

In October of 2010 I wrote an article discussing owner builder experience. In that article I stated that owner builder experience was a red flag, so to speak. Well that was then, this is now. With the current processing systems in place at the Contractors State License Board (CSLB), ALL experience, including owner builder experience […]

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Joy: Celebrate!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my readers. I appreciate your support, kind words, feedback and questions. I hope you have a wonderful holiday with family, friends, food, and football!

C-01 Contractors License Proposed Language

C-01 Contractors License Proposed Language

There was a stakeholder meeting at the Contractors State License Board headquarters office today that discussed the C-01 Contractors License Proposed Language. At this meeting they outlined the proposed language for the new classification. It states: “Adopt Section 832.01 Non-Structural Remodel and Repair Contractor (a) A non-structural remodel and repair contractor remodels and repairs existing structures […]

CSLB Experience

Do I have to submit an experience outline?

I received an email today from a reader who was looking for an answer to this question: Do I have to submit an experience outline with my application if I held the same classification over five years ago? The email stated: Dear Mr. Cocciante: Your Blog is a wonderful resource and I am happy I […]

California CSLB Contractors Bond Increase

A post by Jon Gottschalk regarding the California CSLB Contractors Bond Increase coming in 2016 POSTED BY: JON GOTTSCHALK NOVEMBER 17, 2015 As published in our blog last month, the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is requiring all California contractors to purchase a $15,000 bond by January 1, 2016— a $2,500 increase from the $12,500 amount that was previously required. The […]

New C1 Non Structural Remodel Repair Contractor

The CSLB is proposing legislation to create a New C1 (Actual name is B-2) Non Structural Remodel Repair Contractor. It’s about time!! After years of forcing B General Contractor applicants to withdraw their applications because they couldn’t meet the unrealistic proof of experience requirements, the Contractors State License Board is actually doing something to help […]

CSLB Home Improvement Salesperson Registration

The CSLB home improvement salesperson registration law will change on January 1, 2016. Of all the laws and rules and regulations the CSLB could be working to change, they decided to do something about HIS registrations. What about the myriad of underground regulations the CSLB has created regarding the licensure of targeted classifications? Press releases […]

Who should certify your CSLB experience

Who should certify your CSLB experience

So who should certify your CSLB experience and who shouldn’t? And how should your trade experience be outlined on the license application. Other questions are: How many certifiers do I need? Can my dad, mom, uncle, or brother be my certifier? These are common questions that I’m asked all the time. And although it seems […]

Critical Classification Application Under Review

I’m often asked, pretty much daily, what should an applicant do when they are dealing with a critical classification application under review. 2021 Update… The cslb is no longer classifying certain trades as “critical.”  Although the A-Eng and G-General Bldg trades are still scrutinize more than others. If you are applying for the C10 Electrical, […]

S Corporations and Salaries

Continuing my research in comparing an S corporation to a sole proprietor, I found this article on nolo.com that discusses how to pay yourself, other officers, and shareholders. S Corporations and Salaries: How much should I pay myself? An S corporation (also called a Subchapter S corporation) is a small corporation that has elected to be taxed […]

Comparing Corporations to Sole Proprietorships

I’m asked all the time if a new contractor should be a sole proprietor (sole owner) or a corporation. I’m currently a sole owner but have been incorporated in the past. I’ve been thinking of incorporating again for the possible tax benefits and personal liability protection and thought I’d do a little research. Below is […]

C10 Electrical California Contractors License

5 Benefits of Becoming a Master Electrician

I found a great article on ElectricianTalk.com that discusses the benefits of becoming a Master Electrician. It provides some great advice and helpful information. 5 Benefits of Becoming a Master Electrician Once you’ve worked as a journeyman electrician for a few years and gotten some skills under your belt, you may start to consider taking […]

Contact your State Representative

Contact your State Representative

If you are having problems with the Contractors State License Board (CSLB), you should contact your State Representative. Below is a letter I received from my Rep back in 2013 in response to a complaint I filed. As you’ll see, they contacted the CSLB on my behalf. My take-away from this letter is that they […]

Starting a construction business

Starting a Construction Business

Starting a construction business isn’t easy by any means. There is a lot of planning and steps to take. I’m going to attempt to break it down to the basics. First, what business entity to choose. If you choose a corporation or LLC you’ll want to file your articles of incorporation with the Secretary of […]

Let's Chat with the License Guru

Have questions? Contact Us.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Scroll to Top