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Contractor's License Bond Information

Before hiring a contractor you must be aware of general advices that are to be
implemented:
- Don't be an injured party.
- Do be attentive that consumers have been targeted by scam artists posing as
contractors.
- Do have transaction only with licensed contractors.
- Don't hire the primary contractor who comes along.
- Do ask to see the contractor's "pocket license".

All contractors will be having issued pocket licenses that typically illustrates the type of
trade for which they are licensed as well as the expiration date of the license. Ask to
see some extra forms of identification so that you can easily identify whom you are
dealing with. The Board also issues several types of general contractor licenses. You
must get ahead of an exam to get all type of licenses. Board uses lots of types of
contractor licenses. They are:
- Building
- Residential
- Highway
- Public utilities
- Specialty

The fee of General contractor's license costs about $50 nonrefundable for an exam
you apply for. It costs around $100 to apply for an unlimited license. The application
fee for an intermediate license is $75 and the limited license application fee is $50.
The application fee includes the first year's license fee. Usually all licenses expire on
December 31 for every year. To qualify for a contractor's license, an individual must
have at least four years work experience as a journeyman, foreman, or supervisor in
the trade classification for which he or she is applying. Apprenticeship, technical
training programs, or college course work can also be surrogated for a portion of the
four- year work experience requirement.

Obtaining a contractor's license usually involves three steps:

-There is a need of sending the CSLB an "Application for Original Contractor's License"
with a confirmation for $250 representing the application processing fee.
If the application forms are accepted, you will be planned for the Law/Business and
Trade exams.
-The Law/Business exam covers many of the legal and business topics, such as
licensing, contracts, bid procedures, liens and dispute resolution, employee issues,
insurance, bookkeeping, etc. The Trade exam also covers topics relating to your
specific trade classification.
-Finally after passing the exams, you must be able to file a contractor's license bond
with other forms the CSLB will send you, together with a $150 check representing the
license fee for the first two years.