How Long Does It Take To Get A Contractors License In California

A California full general contractor license isn't piece of cake to get, but the rewards can be well worth it. California general contractors earn an boilerplate of more than $87,000 per twelvemonth, plus overtime, According to Indeed.

Once you lot go your license, yous'll be set to kickoff work in the Golden State on residential or commercial projects. Hither's what you should know about California general contractor licensing and insurance to go your business organisation up and running.

How to go a contractor in California

Deciding to start a general contracting business means committing to staying educated in the trade and gaining experience. While most states require a general contractor license, California is peculiarly stringent. No need to worry, though, as we'll explain the process step by step.

What are the requirements to go a full general contractor license in California?

California'south general contractor license requirements are standardized state-wide. To obtain a general contractor license, you must:

Exist 18 or older with a valid Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number
Take had 4 years of qualifying experience (journey-level or above) within the past ten years
Pass a ii-function exam through the Contractors State Licensing Board

At that place are no specific educational requirements, although you may submit technical school or college credit for a portion of the experience requirement. Apprenticeships and military experience may likewise authorize.

You lot might also exist eligible for a waiver of the trade examination if you concord a contractor license in Arizona, Louisiana, Nevada, or Utah. However, you will notwithstanding need to take the examination and meet the feel requirement.

General contractor license types

California offers three different types of contractor licenses. The first 2 allow you to serve every bit a full general contractor:

Class A General Engineering Contractor: This is the license y'all need for specialized engineering projects.

Class B General Edifice Contractor: This is the license required to manage projects involving two or more unrelated trades.

Class C Specialty Contractor: You must have a specialty contractor license to perform whatever of 42 different types of construction work. General building contractors must likewise hold a specialty contractor license to take projects that are limited solely to one particular trade. Class C contractors may not serve as general contractors on projects that involve multiple trades.

Mutual challenges for obtaining a license

The two biggest challenges for obtaining a California general contractor license are passing the exam and paying all the fees.

The exam is intentionally difficult, and you lot are unlikely to laissez passer it without studying. A quick Google search will reveal numerous full general contractor license schools. These can be a reasonable option, just it'south of import to cheque reviews to make sure you cull a strong programme.

You tin can prepare on your ain past studying the California full general contractor license study guide offered by the licensing board.

How much does it cost to go a CA general contractor license?

You will need to pay a serial of fees, including but non limited to a $330 application fee and a $200 license fee. Active licenses must be renewed every 2 years at a cost of $450. You lot volition also need to postal service a bail or cash eolith of $15,000.

How to go a general contractor license in California

Getting a full general contractor license in California is a stride-by-step process.

The first step is to make sure you run across all the requirements and then apply for the exam. One time your awarding is processed, you will receive instructions on submitting your fingerprints and taking the open volume Asbestos exam online.

After passing the exam, you will be notified of next steps, including posting your bond or greenbacks deposit and submitting proof of workers' bounty insurance if you accept employees or are applying as a covering contractor.

How long does information technology take to become a general contractor license?

It tin take weeks to be approved to take the licensing exam, and in that location is no way to speed upward the process. If you lot qualify for an exam waiver, it could be a piffling quicker, but there is no guarantee.

Fortunately, when y'all have the exam, you will know your results earlier leaving the testing eye. At that point, information technology should accept less than two weeks to receive your wall document and pocket license carte.

Insurance requirements for California Full general Contractors

The most popular type of business insurance in California is ordinarily a combination of general liability, professional liability, and commercial auto insurance. Additionally, California requires businesses with employees to carry workers' compensation insurance coverage.

California has no boosted general contractor insurance requirements. However, failure to carry acceptable insurance coverage will put y'all at fiscal risk.

Many clients and projects also crave proof of insurance before you tin can beginning work.

Workers' comp insurance for CA contractors

Workers' compensation insurance is required if you have employees, likewise as for all covering contractors in California. This coverage volition protect yous and your employees if in that location is an on-the-job injury or affliction.

General liability insurance for CA contractors

General liability insurance covers third-party bodily injury and property impairment, as well every bit libel, slander, and defamation.

Whether a customer trips over your toolbox, you drop your hammer and paring a customer'southward floor, or you say something disparaging about your biggest competitor, y'all will exist protected from financial take chances.

Commercial motorcar insurance for general contractors

Business use of a vehicle is non typically covered past personal auto insurance. Whatever vehicles owned by your visitor should be covered by a commercial auto insurance policy.

Depending on the specifics of your policy, commercial auto insurance may include bodily injury and property damage to someone else, personal injury to yous or your employees, collision damage to the vehicle, and coverage for non-collision damage to the vehicle.

How Next Insurance supports California general contractors

Next Insurance has helped more than 100,000 pocket-size business concern owners obtain insurance coverage, including California general contractors. Y'all tin learn more about the costs of general contractor insurance packages NEXT offers to business owners like yous.

Our online services permit you to apply for coverage and receive your certificate of insurance in just minutes, even if you're using your cell telephone from a job site. Yous tin share unlimited digital certificates for no additional charge, letting you easily submit proof of insurance whenever you want.

If y'all're ready for simple, tailored, and affordable business insurance, go your instant quote today.