California's surf and sand would not be a tourist spot without the infrastructures proudly standing within the state. It is the thriving construction business that helps make contractors flourish. If you are interested to be a part of this community, the California Contractors State licensing board is where you should go as a new applicant for a contractor's license.

The history of the California Contractors State licensing board

The California Contractors State Licensing Board was established in 1929. Back then it was called as the Contractors License Bureau and it answered to the Department of Professional and Vocational Standards. Today, the California Contractors State licensing board is part of the Department of Consumer Affairs.

The 15 board members appoint an executive officer, or Registrar of Contractors, that will direct the administrative policies for all the internal operations of the agency. The Registrar oversees roughly around 380 employees distributed among the head office in Sacramento and field offices scattered all throughout the state.

The Governor and the Legislature make all of the appointments of the agency. The California Contractors State Licensing Board is comprised of:

* nine public members (one local building official and eight non-contractors),

* five contractors and

* one labor representative.

What the functions of the California Contractors State Licensing Board?

Primarily, the California Contractors State Licensing Board has the function of:

* licensing,

* enforcing license law,

* and educating consumers about contractors, from finding one to handling disputes.

The California Contractors State Licensing Board staff process applications for licensure, requests for changes, and renewals of licenses. It also investigates complaints made against both licensed and unlicensed contractors.

The sanctions of the California Contractors State Licensing Board vary, depending on the offense. Usually, the guilty party is given disciplinary or administrative action, such as citations, the suspension or revocation of licenses or they are forced to pay a heavy fine.

One of the California Contractors State Licensing Board's duties is to eliminate the illegal underground economy by taking these unlicensed contractors to court. Often the California Contractors State Licensing Board staffs have to be shrewd and conduct undercover stings or entrapments to capture these unlicensed contractors.

Unlicensed contractors pose a threat to legitimate ones because one, the take away the potential clients of licensed contractor and two, they offer no protection and guarantee to their work. Consumers are often victimized and swindled of their money.

Likewise, the California Contractors State Licensing Board stands a mediator between disgruntled consumers and their misunderstood contractors. Through the board's efforts, quite a few arguments are kept out of the court because of settlements.

Lastly, as part of California Contractors State Licensing Board's functions, the board offers educational activities, including outreach, by participation at home and garden fairs, a speakers' bureau, and the publication of informative materials, in print and online, regarding the application and renewal process of contractor licenses.

Who does the California Contractors State Licensing Board handle?

The California Contractors State Licensing Board licenses and regulates all the contractors in 43 classifications, which comprises the entire construction industry. As of 2005, there are approximately 280,000 licensed contractors in the state of California. Not only does the California Contractors State Licensing Board, register contractors, they now registers home improvement salespersons as well.

With an ever-growing family, the California Contractors State Licensing Board is a great help for both the consumer and contractor. Instilling order and regulations preserves the efficiency of the agency and is a great contributor to the state of California.