“If you are working on something that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.” — Steve Jobs

How To Get Your Contractors License (San Francisco Edition).

San Francisco has a rich history. Let’s be honest, being from San Francisco is a flex. Jack London visited (because he lived in Oakland for a spell).

So that’s cool.

And it’s cool that you’re trying to get your license in San Fran.

It’s especially cool because of the fact that there’s so much money to be made in San Francisco in terms of construction. After all, it’s the fourth largest city in California — and California is the fifth largest economy in the entire world (even bigger than the UK).

So get your hopes up.
It’s time to hope; not to fear.

Fear is overrated.

Instead of thinking what can go wrong with stepping out and taking a risk and trying to get your license, think about what can go right:

You can get your license, start your own business, and do great.
Build a life and a legacy for yourself and for your family.

Sounds pretty good, right?

Well, how does it all work?

First you cross the Golden Gate Bridge and then…

Apply For Your License

You must apply to get your license. You apply through the Contractors State License Board, also known as the CSLB. They’re a government department; but they’re actually very kind and easy to work with.

You submit an application to CSLB.

The Requirements To Get Your License

You must have four years of experience to get your license and you have to be older than eighteen and that’s pretty much it.

How Do You Prove Your Experience?

You have one or more persons sign off on your application to verify that you have four years. Simple as that.

THEN WHAT?

Once you submit your application and CSLB accepts you, they will schedule a time for you to come to their headquarters (or nearest office) and take two tests. The tests have 125 questions each (for a total of 250). The tests cover the law (of construction) and the trade in which you will receive you license.

If you’re trying to be a plumber, you take the plumber’s test. If you’re trying to be a Jedi, you take the corresponding test. If you’re trying to be an electrician or fire sprinkler person or a general b or a general a or a masonry contractor (and so on and so forth), you take the corresponding test.

Make sense?

If none of this makes sense, call us. We love to talk. We have the gift of gab. And we have a dozen puppies. Yes, literal puppies. Puppies are the best.

We love San Francisco and we want to help you get your license.

We love Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, the bay, the bay area, the 49ers (that’s my team; they’re going to make it to the Super Bowl this year. Mark my words), Daly City, Mill Valley, San Rafael, Corte Madera, Fisherman’s Wharf (obviously), the Mission District, and of course, The Giants.

Have you ever seen the movie Moneyball?

Great film.

Oh, and don’t forget San Mateo.

How To Study For Your Tests.

Well we wrote a great article about that.
But here’s the short version:

Enroll In Our Online Course

We have an online course and regularly graduate students (we’ve graduated thousands) all throughout the state of California.

To make a long story short, we provide you with everything you need (in terms of education) to pass the state tests: books, video/audio, practice tests, and live-streamed classes over Zoom.

Now, if you don’t want to take Live Classes over Zoom and you want to study on your own, we do offer a Home Study Package.

So that’s cool. You get all the materials and access you need to study your heart out (and bore your husband or wife with all the stuff you’re learning) and pass the state tests.

Once you pass the state tests, there are a few small steps you must take — like getting insurance and getting live scanned — and then you’ll receive your license.

What Are You Waiting For?

You can enroll today.

You can change your entire life. Today.

So that’s crazy.

It’s also crazy that the Beatles gave their last concert at Candlestick Park.
It’s also crazy that if you get your license you can start your own business.

It’s also crazy that you’re so close.

You’re one step away.

Also my man LEVI, way back in the Gold Rush days, invented jeans.

So that’s cool.

San Francisco is a city for men and women who are leaders, inventors, and businesspeople. It’s a city meant for greatness.

So be great.

We believe in you.

When you get your license, you’ll be able to level up. It’ll be like the Gold Rush all over again.

The end.