CA Contractors State License Board

[Zeke]

The California State Contractors License Board (CSLB) issues licenses and renewals for several types of licenses. This includes licenses for home improvement salespersons and other specific licenses but the main business is governing the construction business through licensing and policing same. A contractors license is good for 2 year and goes up in price regularly now at $100 per year. Along with a license a contractor must possess a performance bond of which the minimum amount is $15,000. This cost is variable but the average is around $85/year.

My license was due to be renewed by June 30, 2018. I started receiving solicitation letters from the bond company about 3 months ago and was aware that my date was coming up. I never received a renewal form from the state and I waited until June 29th to do something about this. First, I got onto the CSLB website looking for a renewal form. There isn’t one. I went ahead and renewed my bond online so that info would be included in my file.

I then wrote out a check for $400 and sent it in to the CSLB with complete information about who I was and what my address and phone number is. I sent that on June 29th, a Friday and it was postmarked that day. It was received and stamped as such on July 2nd, the first business day since the expiration date.

I got back online over the weekend to navigate the website and found a menu that sent me to a recording that said if I didn’t receive a renewal application that I must leave my information for a ‘duplicate’ to be mailed. It also said that this takes 3 to 5 weeks to be sent. Consider this: the CSLB states that they mail a one-time notice and application 60 days prior to the expiration date and if the licensee does not receive the notice they must ask for a ‘duplicate” (not available online) way in advance and still get this in by the expiration date.

Surmising: worst case is that if a licensee notices the lack of a renewal application after 3 weeks into the 60 day period, they must apply for a ‘duplicate’ and hope it arrives in time to get it sent back before the expiration date. (Note: walk-ins to one of 2 offices in the state are extremely limited and no CC’s accepted.)

Obviously, I did not get this duplicate until day before yesterday. So I called (again) and got through this time after waiting forever and asked that my $400 be accepted for my renewal now that I have the form that can only be obtained by writing and asking for it (or leaving all the info on a recorder — I did both). Spoke with two people and the 2nd said she would run this by “Marilyn” but she never heard of anyone getting a reprieve of the 50 % penalty.

I asked if I could have that decision in writing. I’m thinking of sending my now $600 dollars in and once in good standing, making a demand for the return of my penalty to be followed by a suit in SCC.

Review:
Sent bond in on time, license fee sent in on time sans the exact form. Both received and noted.
Application for ‘duplicate’ renewal is unavailable other than being sent by snail and is needed to be requested FIVE weeks before expiration date.

[tabs]

Welcome to BIG BUREAUCRACY...where one hand doesn't know what the other is doing. I guess you are caught in the Bureaucratic he11 of LIMBO Land.. aka the State of CA...(not that it is exclusively CA mind you).

Now let us see if you like bigger and better govt to solve all your problems and concerns...

[daepp]

I feel for you. I don't like to mess with the CSLB. I do have an attorney who has someone on the inside they can actually call and get things done. She's based in Anaheim. PM me if I can be of any help.

[Bugsinrugs]

State Fund insurance for workmans comp is just as bad. They don't take phone calls anymore and you can only go through an insurance broker. I try to stay legal and carry workmanship comp but most contractors don't carry it and pay guys piece work.

[biosurfer1]

Waiting until the day before an expiration date when dealing with a government agency seems like asking for the situation you're in right now, right or wrong.

[look 171]

I have never check on my lic expire date. Thankfully, my renewal always comes on time through the mail giving me plenty of time to send in the fee. My thinking is that it is a slam dunk for them, just collect our money so why would they be late? I don't mess around and just pay them. All I seem to do is pay and on time too.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Pretty much worst case scenario here, dealing with possibly the most bureaucratic state in the USA. But if there’s one constant across government, they are quick to take your money and slow to return it. Also the expectation that you be prompt and diligent while they simultaneously are late and incompetent.

[Tobra]

This is a good illustration of why so many businesses choose to go elsewhere

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by look 171

I have never check on my lic expire date. Thankfully, my renewal always comes on time through the mail giving me plenty of time to send in the fee. My thinking is that it is a slam dunk for them, just collect our money so why would they be late? I don't mess around and just pay them. All I seem to do is pay and on time too.

Me too but when it doesn't come....

One thing that can and has happened is that a letter gets tucked inside a whole wad of junk mail — lots of newsprint specials and flyers. This comes every Tues and I have to comb through it to make sure.

I'm not always the one to collect the mail. Whatever. It went missing and I had no idea that I should have suspected a problem FIVE weeks beforehand. This is insane.

But what's weird is that I have never been asked to show my license in all the years that I've carried one. That would be since 1981. Who needs it? I don't — it's all voluntary.

[Tobra]

They expect me to carry a copy of my podiatry license in my wallet.

[Don Ro]

So happy to be out of there. Kalifornicate.

[Don Ro]

As a CA licensed contractor of 34 years, never had an issue.
Then had my house painted by a Licensed painter. He left me with a f'd up job.
I contacted the board and found out how much the state protects contractors.
I dropped the complaint.

[MRM]

Milt, if you do pay the $600 and demand refund of your penalty, make sure to check which is the right forum to challenge the late charge in. I don't think small claims court has jurisdiction over the contractor's board. There is probably an administrative law judge who hears disputes. In Minnesota you would make an appeal through the Office of Administrative Hearings. It looks like you have an OAH in California too. OAH Home Check there and see if that's a better option than small claims. On the up side, administrative law judges are somewhat more likely to settle with you at a preliminary hearing when you're asking for a relatively small amount.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Zeke

---snip---

But what's weird is that I have never been asked to show my license in all the years that I've carried one. That would be since 1981. Who needs it? I don't — it's all voluntary.

This is a timely thread.

I have been thinking of letting all my required paperwork go. City license, county license (they call these "taxes" these days), business insurance, and irrigation competency card.

The only time I really need to show proof of all this stuff is when I conduct work on an official construction site or commercial property. And to be honest, if I ever do any of that kind of work again, it will be too soon.

There's plenty of work in my field available all the time where none of this stuff is ever needed.

To each their own but it would feel great to say "See ya!' to the man.....

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Me too but when it doesn't come....

One thing that can and has happened is that a letter gets tucked inside a whole wad of junk mail — lots of newsprint specials and flyers. This comes every Tues and I have to comb through it to make sure.

I'm not always the one to collect the mail. Whatever. It went missing and I had no idea that I should have suspected a problem FIVE weeks beforehand. This is insane.

But what's weird is that I have never been asked to show my license in all the years that I've carried one. That would be since 1981. Who needs it? I don't — it's all voluntary.

Milt,

I almost want to say that the lic is useless. The only times I am asked to show it is when I have to pull permits at the city. Other then that, never.

I am shocked that they make us just through all the hoops about getting another when payment is late. They state should just take the money and the fine on top of that and get you another in the mail. Simple and done. They get their money and we are all happy campers.

[Tobra]

It creates more jobs the way they do it, simple.