The change in year often prompts people to make some resolutions or goals for the next several months. If you’ve been thinking about becoming a licensed contractor, you should know that 2022 could be the best time. Here’s how to know you are ready.
You Need a Career Change
Whether you are working in construction or in another industry, you might feel the pull of a different career. It’s common for adults to spend 10, 20 or even 30 years in one industry, only to realize that their interest lies elsewhere. Of course, making a career change can be a little nerve-wracking, particularly if you don’t know what you can expect for the remainder of your working life. However, construction has such a bright future ahead. You would be perfectly reasonable to look at its potential and conclude that now is a great time to get started.
You’re Excited About the Construction Industry
It may seem a little silly to be excited about a career, but it’s perfectly normal. There are a lot of things to be excited about for the future of construction, and you can be freely honest about what you’re looking forward to. Here are a few things that you can expect to see happening in the construction industry during the next several years:
- Dramatic growth in commercial and residential construction
- Adoption of new technologies, particularly those that improve efficiency and productivity
- Changing styles of construction to meet the needs of a modern world
There’s going to be a lot of opportunities for people who are willing to put the time in to become licensed contractors. You may be in a great position to take advantage of it.
You Understand the Rules
Of course, there’s a big difference between getting a job in construction and becoming a licensed contractor. There are a wide variety of construction jobs that are available for entry-level applicants, and they typically do not require special certificates or licensing. Becoming a licensed contractor in California has a number of requirements, including years of experience and a passing grade on a licensing exam. Before you get too invested in the process, it’s a good idea to investigate these rules and the fees that you’ll have to pay when you are ready to apply for a license. If you already know, you may be one step closer to achieving your goal.
You’re Building the Right Experience
One of the most time-consuming requirements of becoming a licensed contractor is building a portfolio of experience that you can prove to the California State Licensing Board. As a general rule, you need four years of experience. There are some exceptions for people who have college degrees or extensive experience working on their own homes, but those exceptions can be more complicated to navigate. If you are accumulating the right experience that you know will count toward the license, then you may be approaching the time that you will be ready to consider applying to take the exam.
You’re Learning How to Run a Business
Although you don’t have to run your own business as a licensed contractor, many people choose to do just that. In fact, becoming a licensed contractor is the path that lots of construction professionals use to start their own businesses. But in order to run a successful business, you have to know how to do it. Getting a contractor license and having the skills needed to perform projects in exchange for pay is one thing. Handling all the administrative tasks and other management aspects of business are additional. If you’re already digging into those skills, you may be closer than you think.
The year 2022 is going to be a great one for people who are ready to become licensed contractors. Contact CSLS today to learn how we can help you prepare for the contractor licensing exam!