Contractors License Guru Blog

Adding Officers To A Contractors License

Understanding the CSL Board

The Contractors State License Board or CSLB is an entity shrouded in some mystery for many contractors, both old and new. It is both a source of affirmation, providing the requisite credibility for your trade and a daunting prospect, given its rigorous examination and licensing procedures. This article provides a comprehensive, deep-dive into the Contractor […]

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What is the CSL Board?

California contractors need to be licensed and insured before securing work. However, it’s helpful to understand how a future client can tell if the contractor has a valid license. This is where the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) comes into play.   The Contractors State License Board: What is it? California’s state government established the […]

CSLB Exam What to Expect

Do you have a CSLB exam coming up? Here’s what can you expect when you arrive on your test day. Do you need exam prep materials that are proven to help you pass? Click here to find the right prep course for you.

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New CSLB Laws

SB 1189 is what we’ve been waiting for. 🙂 Brush-Up on New Contracting Laws that Come into PlayJanuary 1, 2021 SACRAMENTO – As we make our way into the new year, CSLB would like to highlight some construction-related laws that will go into effect January 1. Pay close attention to these changes, including an extension for […]

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Reopen Test Centers

All public counters in California remain closed at this time. SACRAMENTO – The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is announcing that seven of its eight test centers around California will reopen next Monday, June 15, 2020. Most of the centers will have expanded hours each day to accommodate an additional test session for applicants. The test centers, […]

Contractors License Schools - CSLB Exam Prep Study Materials

Contractor’s Licensing Schools

Let’s talk about the pros and cons of contractor’s licensing schools. I’m not referring to any one specific contractor’s licensing school, just the overall contractor’s license school method.  And before we get into the pros and cons, let’s define the word “school.”  They really aren’t schools because they aren’t teaching anything, they are showing people […]

California Contractors License Classifications

How long does it take to get a contractors license in California?

As my father used to say… how long is a piece of string? The processing times at the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) vary greatly.  It depends on the type of application, document, or form you’re submitting. Review my CSLB Backlog post regarding processing stats as of September 2020. Different applications are processed by different […]

CSLB Owner Builder Experience

CSLB Owner Builder Experience

Let’s talk about CSLB owner builder experience for a moment. Since the CSLB has once again become the Soup Nazi’s (Seinfeld reference) of State licensing, many people are asking if their owner builder experience is enough to get them to the B General Building exam room. The answer is a big fat maybe.  The problem […]

Contractors Business Name Style

Contractors Business Name Style

Contractors Business Name Style Many people get caught in the contractors business name style law, or B&P Code 7059.1, and end up with a rejected contractor’s license application. Update: Dec. 6 2019 The CSLB told an applicant that he must use a DBA with four specific words in it. They told the applicant that he […]

General Building Experience

General Building Experience Are you having trouble with your general building experience outline (or any trade outline)? Has the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) rejected your B general building application because your outline was not formatted properly? An improperly formatted general building experience outline is a very common issue, and probably the number one reason […]

CSLB Revamps Tech Assignments

I was told recently that the Contractors State License Board (CSLB), Licensing Department, has reassigned several of their license application technicians to their call center. This is good news, bad news. Good news because their call center has lacked competent people for a very long time.  You could call three times and get three different […]

CSLB Fees will Increase

Effective July 1, 2017, CSLB fees will increase.     It’s gonna get a little bit more expensive to obtain, maintain, and change/update a contractors license!   Application and Licensing Fees Current Fee as of July 1, 2017 Fee 1.      Original Application $300 $330 (for those taking exam or requesting waiver for one classification) 2.      Additional Classification (each) (with waiver […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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