Contractor License School
How To Get Your General B2
Contractors License
Getting your General B2 “General Contractors” License may be easier than you think.
The only requirement is four years of experience in General B type of work, which is ‘rough carpentry’. I’ll provide a more detailed definition below, but if you’re here, you likely know what a general B contractor does.
If you have a bachelor’s degree, the state only requires two years of experience in the trade.
So, you have the four years. What’s next?
To get the license, you need to submit an application to the state of California. Someone must sign off on your application—ideally your employer, former employer, supervisor, or business associate. Once the state receives your application, they will schedule a test date. You must pass two tests to receive your license.
If you’re tired of reading, watch this video or scroll past it to keep reading!
More on the Tests
To get your license, you must pass two state-administered tests:
- Construction Law Test
- Trade Test (General B2)
Technically, you don’t have to attend a contractor school like ours; you can take the tests without any classes. However, we highly recommend attending classes because passing the tests can be challenging without proper preparation.
The trade test will likely be easier for you since you already have construction experience. The law test, however, might be tougher. It covers topics like contract law, bonds, liens, and even taxes, which are areas where contractors often struggle since the test is written by lawyers.
That’s where we come in. Our program provides the classes and materials you’ll need to pass both tests.
Class Options
- In-Person Classes: Check our locations and times to attend our classes in person.
- Online Classes: If you can’t attend in person, our online program offers pre-recorded classes and all the necessary materials.
Additional Requirements
You might be wondering about bonds. Yes, you do need a bond. There are a few additional steps beyond attending classes and sending in your application. We have a detailed page on our website with more information.
Ready to Get Started?
Give us a call at (800) 659-1207 to set up an appointment and sign up, or enroll for our classes online. You can choose either our in-person classes or our online course.
Why the General Contractor License is Valuable
The General Contractor License is highly sought after in the U.S., especially in California, because it is one of the most versatile licenses. With a B trade license, you can take on almost any kind of job by hiring subcontractors or working on the project yourself. Unlike specialty licenses that limit you to specific trades, a general contractor can handle projects involving multiple trades, opening up numerous construction opportunities.
General B Contractor Definition (CSLB)
The CSLB recently split the General B license into two: the General B and the B-2 Residential Remodeling Contractor. If this is confusing, call us at (800) 659-1207.
Here’s the definition of a General B2 contractor:
Without further ado, here is the def of the General B2 license:
“B-2” Residential Remodeling
(a) A residential remodeling contractor is a contractor whose principal contracting business is in connection with any project to make improvements to, on, or in an existing residential wood frame structure, and the project requires the use of at least three unrelated building trades or crafts for a single contract.
(b) (1) A residential remodeling contractor may take a prime contract for trades or crafts which may include, but is not limited to, the following:
(A) Drywall.
(B) Finish carpentry.
(C) Flooring.
(D) Insulation.
(E) Painting.
(F) Plastering.
(G) Roof repair.
(H) Siding.
(I) Tiling.
(J) Installing, repairing, or replacing electrical fixtures, such as dimmers, fans, lights, outlets, and switches.
(K) Installing, repairing, or replacing plumbing fixtures, such as faucets, sinks, toilets, and tubs.
(L) Installing, repairing, or replacing mechanical fixtures, such as air filters, air delivery and return grills, and preassembled exhaust fans.
(2) A residential remodeling contractor shall not take a contract unless the contract includes three or more unrelated trades or crafts.
(3) Subject to the limit described in paragraph
(2), a residential remodeling contractor may self-perform its contract or may subcontract any of the trades or crafts to appropriately licensed subcontractor or subcontractors.
(c) A residential remodeling contractor shall conduct its contracting activity in accordance with the following restrictions: (1) A residential remodeling contractor shall not contract for a project that includes the following trades or crafts unless the contractor holds the appropriate license classification or subcontracts with an appropriately licensed contractor:
(A) C-16 Fire Protection.
(B) C-22 Asbestos Abatement.
(C) C-57 Well Drilling.
(2) A residential remodeling contractor shall not contract to make structural changes to load bearing portions of an existing structure, including, but not limited to, footings, foundations, load bearing walls, partitions, and roof structures.
(3) (A) The residential remodeling contractor shall not contract to install, replace, substantially alter, or extend electrical, mechanical, or plumbing systems or their component parts, or the mechanisms or devices that are part of those systems, unless the residential remodeling contractor holds the appropriate license classification or subcontracts with an appropriately licensed contractor.
(B) The residential remodeling contractor may contract to make minor alterations to existing electrical, mechanical, or plumbing systems to effectuate the purpose of installing, repairing, or replacing electrical, mechanical and plumbing fixtures, provided that the contract requires the use of at least three unrelated building trades or crafts.
(C) The board may adopt regulations to further define what activity constitutes the minor alterations described in subparagraph (B), and to further define the electrical, mechanical, or plumbing systems, or their component parts, or the mechanisms or devices that are part of those systems, that are subject to the restriction described in subparagraph
(A). (d) This contractor classification may be cited as the B-2 Residential Remodeling Contractor. (BPC §7057.5)
full online course
- 4 Law & Business Live Streaming Classes
- Once A Week For 4 Weeks
- Two Months Access
- Trade DVDs and CDs.
ALSO INCLUDED
- – Law & Business Practice Tests
- – Trade Practice Tests
- – Access To Law-Class Recordings (Video and Audio)
- – Trade DVD Teaching
- – Trade CD Teaching
- So Basically Everything You Need To Study Law and Trade
EVEN MORE BENEFITS (WHAAAA?)
- Application Assistance (That Application Can Be Difficult)
- A Handy-Dandy Pass-Test Guarantee
Testimonial
“Excellent school! I passed law and electrical exams on my first try and I was more than ready. They also set up my S Corps and helped me through the full process.”
Charles Blake, Contractor
SOME IMPORTANT PAGES…
A lot people ask us: when are you going to introduce free Cinnabon into the program, as in Cinnamon rolls. The answer is simple. But first, here are a few pages we want to highlight, in case you’re interested in learning more:
How To Become A General Contractor
How To Get Your Contractors License Online
How To Get Your Contractors License From Home
How To Study To Get Your Contractors License
Contractors License Requirements
and…
Types of Contractors Licenses (All Classifications)
To answer the Cinnamon Roll question, we’re on a strict bring your own (as well as one for your teacher) policy at the moment. Check back for future updates.
Open. Now Enrolling.
Order our online course and then watch a Mel Gibson movie and then dream big. Think big. Do great things.
Call us if you have any questions.
Or if you just want to talk about the Mel Gibson movie you just watched.
(800) 659-1207
Or
info@contractorlicensenow.com
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