C-47 Manufactured Housing License Clarified by CSLB

The Board clarified what work requires the C-47 Manufactured Housing classification.

Only when you are installing a manufactured home or preparing the structure for moving do you need the C-47 classification. Contractors performing a single trade after the structure has already been installed only need the appropriate C specialty trade classification e.g. if installing/replacing/servicing an HVAC system in a manufactured home (or any structure), you need the C-20 classification, not both the C-20 and C-47.

You can read the CSLB Industry Bulletin here: https://www.cslb.ca.gov/Resources/IndustryBulletins/2024/24-03%20-%20Manufactured%20Homes.pdf

For any questions, please call us at (800) 580-8129.

D-49 Tree Service License Changed to C-49 Tree and Palm License

The Board just announced they are phasing out the D-49 Tree Service limited specialty and changing it to the C-49 Tree and Palm classification that will require a trade exam.

This change will be effective January 1, 2024. After the 1st, no new D-49 licenses will be issued. Although currently licensed D-49 contractors will be allowed to keep their license and are not required to apply for the C-49, if the current qualifier leaves, the new qualifier must apply for the C-49 classification and take the trade exam.

You can see the description of the C-49 classification here: https://govt.westlaw.com/calregs/Document/I74808540F7AF11EC8236E412E16FB063?viewType=FullText&originationContext=documenttoc&transitionType=CategoryPageItem&contextData=(sc.Default)

For any questions, please call us at (800) 580-8129.

New Law Requiring All Contractors to get Workers Comp Policy

Based on the CSLB-sponsored Senate Bill 216 that was just passed 09/30/22, the CSLB will be requiring all contractors to get a workers comp policy with or without employees effective 01/01/2026. The following trades, however, will be required to get workers comp policies starting 01/01/2023:

C-8 (Concrete),

C-20 (Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning),

C-22 (Asbestos Abatement), and

D-49 (Tree Service)

This is in addition to the existing law that already requires C-39 (Roofing) contractors to have a workers comp policy in place.

Please feel free to call us for any questions at (800) 580-8129.

CSLB Increasing Bond Amounts to $25,000

Effective January 1, 2023, the CA Contractors State License Board (CSLB) will increase the bond amounts for both the Contractors Bond (currently $15,000) and the Bond of Qualifying Individual (currently $12,500) to $25,000 each.

This will trigger an increase in premiums. The bond companies will automatically increase your bond amounts with the CSLB, and mail out invoices for the premium increase. The premium increase amount will depend on your current rate with the bond company so the amount will vary per contractor.

Check with your current bonding agent for any questions on the premium increase.

If you’d like to get a bond quote from us, please call us at (800) 580-8129 or submit an inquiry on our website here.

New Contracting Law for Qualifiers (RMO/RME/RMM) in Effect January 1, 2022

There are a few laws coming into effect on January 1, 2022, but one that will affect applicants is AB 830 (Flora).

This bill authorizes the CSLB to require an applicant to provide the qualifier’s employment duty statement describing their responsibilities for the applicant. They will be looking to tamp down on absentee qualifiers and applicants will need to show “active engagement” of the qualifier in the company.

At this point, we will need to wait and see if the CSLB will offer their own form or require specific wording for the employment duty statement. Since their fees are increasing on 01/01/22 as well, the CSLB will be updating their application forms in January.

If you have any questions on how the above will affect your licensing process, please call us at (800) 580-8129.

New C-47 Applicants Now Required to Show Training Certificate

As of 09/30/2021, all new applicants for a C-47 General Manufactured Housing classification will be required by the CSLB to show a Certificate of Completion of Training from an approved vendor by the US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) before their application can be completed.

Already licensed C-47 contractors do not need to show the certificate. You can read about the official final approval for the above requirement by the CSLB here.

You can read about the HUD’s training program here: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/rmra/mhs/mhip

For more information, please call us at (800) 580-8129.

New Law Change w/ CSLB on Criminal Background History

As of 07/01/2020, the Board is changing how they handle criminal background checks for applicants with the passing of Assembly Bill (AB) 2138.

Disclosure Statements will no longer be required at the start of the application, and applicants will no longer be asked if they have any misdemeanors or felonies. Fingerprinting, however, is still required. The primary difference is that the Board will determine if they need additional information and ask the applicant later in the application process.

You can read more about the CSLB’s notice at the Board’s website:
Criminal History Change

Or, you may call us for a free confidential consultation at (800) 580-8129.

Revive your old license number without showing work experience.

As a former licensee, the Board makes it easy for you to get your old license number back. They don’t require work experience, even if it’s been more than five, or ten, or twenty years since you last had your license number.

You do, however, have to appear for both Law and Trade tests again. But with regards to how strict the Board has been with their work experience requirements for new applicants, not having to show documentation proof of work experience is a huge relief.

Call us for more information!

CFC Certificate Now Required for C-20 & C-38 Contractors

The CSLB is now asking for C-20 HVAC and C-38 Refrigeration Contractors who are applying for a new license to show their EPA CFC Certification. The Board had started asking this certification from first-time licensees before, but have now changed their requirement to include contractors who already hold the C-20 and C-38 classifications. Only Type II or Universal CFC Certificates are accepted. This certification is governed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and contractors can acquire one through their local schools. CFC stands for Chlorofluorocarbon and is required by the EPA to make sure anyone who handles coolants, refrigerants or other like chemicals have gone through the proper training to ensure proper handling, recycling and disposal. 

Renewals are not affected by this requirement.