I have been planning to sign up for getting licensed as a general contractor, I meet all the requirements to take the exam , but I am not very sure which institution (private school , state school) would issue a license recognized by the state of California . I have received some flyiers in my mailbox with institutions that organize these exams, but some of these schools had a disclosure note related with this issue. Any suggestions will help, thanks!:)
P.S:beside material provided by school what other codes I should read?
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The only exam you are concerned about it the one given by the Contractor's State License Board. There is a waiting list, so get your paperwork in early. There are lots of schools that will prepare you for the test. I remember that I took a two day class for about $350 and it was worth it. You could also study and pass the test without the class.
David thanks for your input, could you also tell me which school prepared you for the test?
I'm sorry I don't remember.... it was 15 years ago. Just find one that has 1-2 days of class and is fairly cheap. It is not a difficult test.
The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners Union has a school that gives classes . And they are free , if your in the Union .
Mike - Foxboro
I took the Michigan Residential Builder's Licensing Exam two weeks ago and found out I passed both parts last week. When you sign up for the test, they sent you a little book on the Lien laws and other laws, which I studied several times. I went to the library and got a generic Contractor's Licensing Exam study book, circa 1996, studied it and it must have been good enough. The guys who sell the prep classes claim a 98% pass rate and that 50% pass who don't take the course.
When I finished the test, I thought I passed, but you only remember the questions you struggled with and forget about the majority that you just answered immediately. I think the twenty or so years as a Fine Homebuilding subscriber did me more good than the studying.
The license application asks if you've ever been convicted of being a contractor without a license. Many years ago, when I was licensed in Toledo, Ohio, I got cited for an electrical violation, the only problem I ever had with inspection. I had my licensed electricial contractor come out and fix everything and I paid the fine and forgot about it until now. The State of Michigan licensed me to carry a pistol concealed, so I should be able to swing a hammer legally.
The test fee was $80.00 and the license aplication was another $105.00.
Edited 8/12/2005 5:35 pm ET by Kowboy
CA licenses are issued by the Contractors State Licensing Board (part of the Dep't of Consumer Affairs), and you have to pass both the legal and trade sections to get licensed. When I got my license (last year), it was all done on a computer and I had the results within a few minutes.
I had taken one of those "home study" courses and found it almost useless. Almost none of my exam questions had been in the course material. Luckily, most of the questions had common sense answers. Other folks I know say that the two day sessions are much more effective.
One thing that kinda annoyed me was that I couldn't find out which questions I had answered wrong. I think that info would be good to know - particularly on the legal section.