A California general building contractors license allows a contractor to build a house or a shelter as long as framing or at least two unrelated trades are being performed. For example, general contractor cannot bid and perform on a project that only requires electrical work to be performed, but general contractor may subcontract this work to a licensed electrician. If the project requires electrical and plumbing, now general contractor can bid and perform on this contract.
As a general building contractor you may not take any contracts that involve only one trade, unless the one trade is framing or the work is being subcontracted to a specialty contractor specializing in that trade.
View Full Description7057. (a) Except as provided in this section, a general building contractor is a contractor whose principal contracting business is in connection with any structure built, being built, or to be built, for the support, shelter, and enclosure of persons, animals, chattels, or movable property of any kind, requiring in its construction the use of at least two unrelated building trades or crafts, or to do or superintend the whole or any part thereof.
This does not include anyone who merely furnishes materials or supplies under Section 7045 without fabricating them into, or consuming them in the performance of the work of the general building contractor.
(b) A general building contractor may take a prime contract or a subcontract for a framing or carpentry project. However, a general building contractor shall not take a prime contract for any project involving trades other than framing or carpentry unless the prime contract requires at least two unrelated building trades or crafts other than framing or carpentry, or unless the general building contractor holds the appropriate license classification or subcontracts with an appropriately licensed specialty contractor to perform the work. A general building contractor shall not take a subcontract involving trades other than framing or carpentry, unless the subcontract requires at least two unrelated trades or crafts other than framing or carpentry, or unless the general building contractor holds the appropriate license classification. The general building contractor may not count framing or carpentry in calculating the two unrelated trades necessary in order for the general building contractor to be able to take a prime contract or subcontract for a project involving other trades.
(c) No general building contractor shall contract for any project that includes the "C-16" Fire Protection classification as provided for in Section 7026.12 or the "C-57" Well Drilling classification as provided for in Section 13750.5 of the Water Code, unless the general building contractor holds the specialty license, or subcontracts with the appropriately licensed specialty contractor.
(Amended by Stats. 1997, Chapter 812 (SB 857).)
*Framing or Rough Carpentry cannot count as unrelated trade.
An applicant applying for B-General Building license must have 4 years of journeyman level experience performing or directly supervising framing or rough carpentry AND two (2) unrelated core trades (e.g., Plumbing, Electrical, HVAC, Roofing, Concrete, etc.)
Framing or Rough Carpentry experience is REQUIRED for the B-General Building classification.
An applicant applying for the B-2 Residential Remodeling license must have 4 years of journeyman level experience performing or directly supervising at least three 3 unrelated trades pertaining to remodeling. For example, experience with floor installation, painting, cabinet installation, tile, and more.
Framing or Rough Carpentry experience is NOT required for the B2 classification.
Before you can apply for your general building contractors license, you must meet the following experience requirements:
Don't have 4 years of general building experience?
A college degree can be substituted for up to three years of that experience.
In order to obtain your general building contractors license, you are required to pass the Trade examination as well as the Law & Business exam.
*Even though you can apply for a general building contractors license when you are 18 years old, it is recommended that you be at least 23 years old due to experience requirement.
For Just $1,200 $695
This special offer includes:
Expires 12/31/2024
Our general building contractors license courses come with 100% Pass Exam Money-Back Guarantee. With the purchase of In-Class Prepearation or Live Streaming course, we will even pay your re-test fee if you fail your general building contractors license exam. See the Terms and Coditions below.
98% of our students pass the state exam on their first try. Click here to read our student's testimonies.