Contractor License Schools

Do you have a minimum of four years experience in a specific trade such as carpentry, plumbing or electrical work? Do you like taking the lead on any project you're a part of? Then you may be ready to take the next step and take classes to become a licensed contractor. Research a contactor license school below and start your contractor training. What exactly is a contractor? A contractor is a professional who is responsible for overseeing a portion or an entire building project.

What does a contractor do? A contractor is hired to oversee the work on various types of jobs such as home building, remodeling or other types of projects. They choose materials, obtain permits, hire subcontractors and oversee budgets and schedules.

The contractor meets with clients and works with them closely or is left alone to handle the completion of the project for which they were hired. They then will contact other workers called subcontractors to do various areas of the project to get the work done in the timeline agreed upon.

Career Contracting Opportunities

Say you are building an addition onto your home. You hire a contractor to help you get the project done at a certain price and in a certain timeframe. The contractor obviously cannot get it all done alone, so he contacts subcontractors such as electricians, plumbers and carpenters to handle different aspects of the job. He will supervise their work and be held accountable for the work they perform. Once the project is complete, he will verify and sign off that the work was done according to state and local building codes. Once you approve and pay the contractor, he then pays the subcontractors for the work they did.

Training Courses

Finding contractor license courses is most easily done by looking online to find schools or course programs in your area. You can even contact your local trade school, college, or even contact contractors in your area to help you find a good school that will help you to become board certified and licensed. The most important when looking for contractor license courses is to find one that is approved by the state and will help you get ready for your state license board exams when you complete the program.

There is an industry trend for license contractors to get their bachelor's degree, but at this time it is not necessary. A bachelor's degree will enable you to remain competitive and give you a step up against you competition. It also gets you ready for state licensing exams, but if you don't have the time or money to do it, you don't have to.

Learn to be a Contractor

Some of the things you will learn when taking contractor license courses are:

• Safety
• Engineering
• State construction law
• Cost estimation
• Quality management
• Contracts
• Business management
• Customer service
• General engineering (pipelines, streets and more)
• General building (drywall, cabinetry, electrical and more)

Contractor License Requirements

There are several things you need to do to get licensed as a contractor and they are:

• You must have 4 years experience in a trade skill such as carpentry or plumbing
• You must pass two state license board exams: one for construction law and one for your trade
• You must be able to promise to supervise and be held accountable for your company and those who you subcontract to work for you once you obtain the license. (you will have to be comfortable with signing contracts and so on).
• Be fingerprinted
• Have a bond or cash deposit of a specified amount
• References from former customers and employers

Be aware that each state has its own requirements and standards for testing and licensing, so check with your state before picking a school to take contractor licensing courses. You can also check with the National Association of State Contractor Licensing Agencies for a list of requirements for your state.

I have my Education - Next Step

Most contractors are actually self-employed. Their business is made or broken on the reputation they have and build, and the bids for contracts they win. Contracts are offered up for bidding on by the submission of a detailed and accurate estimation and often visuals or plans of the completed job, along with a timeline.

When the bidding is done and the licensed contractor is given the job, it is up to him to do the project within the budget allowed and in the timeline agreed upon. The work must be professional and of great quality. This is to insure good referrals and repeat business, as well as increase his success in future bidding. Other places you will find job opportunities are as employees of the government, realtors or development groups. Build your way to a better future by taking contractor license courses today!

 

Contractor License

 

Do you like taking the lead on any project you're a part of? Then you may be ready to take the next step and take classes to become a licensed contractor. Research a contactor license school below and start your contractor training. What exactly is a contractor? A contractor is a professional who is responsible for overseeing a portion or an entire building project.

 

What does a contractor do? A contractor is hired to oversee the work on various types of jobs such as home building, remodeling or other types of projects. They choose materials, obtain permits, hire subcontractors and oversee budgets and schedules. The great thing about becoming a contractor is that many times you work independently when you want and are self-employed.

The contractor meets with clients and works with them closely or is left alone to handle the completion of the project for which they were hired. They then will contact other workers called subcontractors to do various areas of the project to get the work done in the timeline agreed upon. You’ll need to be skilled at all levels of building

 

Contractor Duties

 

Say you are building an addition onto your home. You hire a contractor to help you get the project done at a certain price and in a certain timeframe. The contractor obviously cannot get it all done alone, so he contacts subcontractors such as electricians, plumbers and carpenters to handle different aspects of the job. He will supervise their work and be held accountable for the work they perform. Once the project is complete, he will verify and sign off that the work was done according to state and local building codes. Once you approve and pay the contractor, he then pays the subcontractors for the work they did.

 

Finding a Good Contractor License School

 

Finding contractor license courses has never been easier. You can request information from any of the local trade schools or colleges we have listed. The most important when looking for contractor license courses is to find one that is approved by the state and will help you get ready for your state license board exams when you complete the program.

There is an industry trend for license contractors to get their bachelor's degree, but at this time it is not necessary. A bachelor's degree will enable you to remain competitive and give you a step up against you competition. It also gets you ready for state licensing exams, but if you don't have the time or money to do it, you don't have to.

 

What Will I Learn When Taking Contractor License Courses

 

Some of the things you will learn when taking contractor license courses are:
• Safety
• Engineering
• State construction law
• Cost estimation
• Quality management
• Contracts
• Business management
• Customer service
• General engineering (pipelines, streets and more)
• General building (drywall, cabinetry, electrical and more)

When looking into a school you’ll notice that many of the programs vary. This is because each one has their own methods of teaching but the final goal for any school is to get you trained so that you’ll pass your state licensing exam. Many of the school will have course packages available that go over specific licenses you might be interested in receiving as well as the prep material needed to pass the licensing exam.

Some of the licenses available include: General Building, Insulation, Cabinet and Finish Carpentry, Concrete, Drywall, Electrical, Fencing, HVAC, Landscaping, Masonary work, plumbing, roofing, solar and welding. Over 50+ types of licenses are available so be sure to ask your trade school which classes they offer.

Contractor License Requirements

 

This all depends on your state so when you request information from any of the schools listed be sure to ask them what your state requirements are. There are several things you need to do to get licensed as a contractor and they are:

• You must pass two state license board exams: one for construction law and one for your trade
• You must be able to promise to supervise and be held accountable for your company and those who you subcontract to work for you once you obtain the license. (you will have to be comfortable with signing contracts and so on).
• Be fingerprinted
• Have a bond or cash deposit of a specified amount
• References from former customers and employers

Be aware that each state has its own requirements and standards for testing and licensing, so check with your state before picking a school to take contractor licensing courses. You can also check with the National Association of State Contractor Licensing Agencies for a list of requirements for your state.

 

I have my Education, Trade and License-What is the Next Step

 

Most contractors are actually self-employed. Their business is made or broken on the reputation they have and build, and the bids for contracts they win. Contracts are offered up for bidding on by the submission of a detailed and accurate estimation and often visuals or plans of the completed job, along with a timeline.

When the bidding is done and the licensed contractor is given the job, it is up to him to do the project within the budget allowed and in the timeline agreed upon. The work must be professional and of great quality. This is to insure good referrals and repeat business, as well as increase his success in future bidding. Other places you will find job opportunities are as employees of the government, realtors or development groups. Build your way to a better future by taking contractor license courses today!

 

Why Become a Contractor

 

The great thing about becoming a contract is that the majority of the time you work for yourself. You are called in do perhaps do a specific job or to handle a project for a larger company. Many once they get enough years of experience will be self-employed and start bidding on their own jobs. Many of the landscapers, plumbers and electricians these days are all self-employed. Being a licensed contractor also means that you are protecting yourself from a potential lawsuit. You’ll carry insurance as a contract in the event something happens while you or one of your workers is on the job. To many non-licensed contractors do work only to find themselves being sued when something happens on the job.

One of the biggest reasons to become a contractor is to gain the respect and prestige that comes with having your license. As a licensed contractor you’ll be able to bid on state or city jobs and others will be able to find you and check the status of your license online. Most home owners these days won’t hire a contractor unless they are fully licensed, bonded and insured. Take the first step in becoming a contractor and research any of the schools we have listed.

 

There has never been a better time to get your contractor’s license. With the real estate industry growing, individuals are amassing increasing amounts of equity in their homes. As these people decide to move to a new house or make improvements to their current residence, they will need a qualified contractor to make improvements. By earning your license, you can perform contracting duties in a legal manner, without the risk of getting fined for doing large construction work. You also won't lose any more jobs because another contractor has a license. The proper education will give you the ability to expand your career potential.

 

Benefits of Getting Your License
• You can protect yourself financially and legally.
• You can gain prestige as a professional.
• You can qualify for small business loans.
• You can purchase building materials and supplies at a discount.
• You can advertise your new business knowing you are 100% state compliant.

You can become the licensed contractor professional you have always dreamed of. Getting your contractor’s license will give you the tools to succeed. Take the next step in your career!

Contractor Resources
California Contractor Board -
NECA – National Electrical Contractors Association
Construct-ed.com