Do you wish to become a contractor and take up construction work orders legally in the state that you reside in? If you answer is yes, you will first have to obtain a license. If you are a little confused as to how you should go about getting a contractor’s license, you have no reason to worry for you have arrived at a one-stop information shop where we tell you all that you need to know in order to become a legally certified contractor in your state. In this article, we will take you step-by-step through the process one has to go through in order to obtain the license of a contractor.
Know the Rules
Each state has a set of rules that you must familiarise yourself in order to obtain the license necessary to become a contractor. However, with some variations the rules for each state remain more or less the same. Firstly, you need to be a legal citizen of the United States, at least 18 years of age. A high school diploma is the minimum education qualification you should have. While applying for a license, you should be able to provide the documentation that is necessary. In case you have violated any rules as a holder of any other occupational license that you hold in your state, you should be able to explain yourself.
Adding reference letters from the people you have worked with in the past will also gain you some brownie points. Also, before you make the application you should have clarity about what kind of contractor you wish to be. There are categories such as contractor of general engineering, a building contractor or a speciality contractor. A speciality contractor can operate in the fields of electrical work, plumbing, roofing, landscaping, fire protection and the likes.
The Examination Process and What Follows
In recent times, it has become essential to take an examination to obtain a contractor’s license in your state. The examination process entails a nominal fee and one has to be prepared to answer questions pertaining to the laws of construction as applicable to your state. You also have to have detailed knowledge of the sphere of trade you intend to start your contractor’s business in. Once you are done with the examination pertaining to obtaining the license for a contractor’s business in your state, it is time for you to prove your financial mettle.
This means you have to provide ample documentation to prove that you have the funds to begin your own business as a licensed contractor in your state. This documentation may include letters from your bank, letters of satisfaction from previous employers or customers, and your bank account details in some cases. If you plan to incorporate your business at the very beginning, you will also have to register your business with the Secretary of State. If you go through all the documentation process without any hitch, you will be able to obtain a contractor’s license after you have paid the relevant fees as is required by your state.
