{"id":2614,"date":"2023-10-11T13:28:37","date_gmt":"2023-10-11T20:28:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/contractorslicensingschools.com\/blog\/?p=2614"},"modified":"2023-10-30T13:36:59","modified_gmt":"2023-10-30T20:36:59","slug":"do-home-improvement-salespeople-need-a-contractors-license-in-california-a-complete-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/contractorslicensingschools.com\/blog\/do-home-improvement-salespeople-need-a-contractors-license-in-california-a-complete-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Home Improvement Salespeople Need a Contractor\u2019s License in California? A Complete Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/h3>\n

Looking to start selling home improvement contracts? You\u2019re gonna need a CSLB license for that.<\/p>\n

In this article, we\u2019ll take a look at CSLB licenses for home improvement salespeople (or HIS): what they are, who needs them, and how you can get one right now.<\/p>\n

What Is A Home Improvement Salesperson (HIS)?<\/h3>\n

So what is a home improvement salesperson or HIS? Well, quite simply, it\u2019s a person who sells home improvement services on behalf of a contractor or contracting business.<\/p>\n

According to the CSLB<\/a>, a home improvement salesperson is a \u201cprofessional who solicits, sells, negotiates, or executes home improvement contracts for a licensed contractor.\u201d This includes any home improvement or remodeling job \u2013 even those that are under $500 in value!<\/p>\n

Really, any task or job that requires the construction contractor to have a B-2 Remodeling Contractor\u2019s license<\/a> is a service that a HIS can sell. Whether a homeowner is looking to, say, install a new bathtub or build a patio, the HIS is their pathway to finding someone to do the job. While home improvement salespeople can\u2019t do any builds themselves, they do 99% of the work when it comes to booking jobs for home improvement contractors.<\/p>\n

Many HIS are in-house employees of contractors, and many work freelance with different contractors. There\u2019s no right way to operate \u2013 freelancers may bring in even more commission by expanding their client base, but they also expose themselves to long periods of financial insecurity.<\/p>\n

So now that you know what an HIS is, let\u2019s dig into the license!<\/p>\n

HIS License Registration Requirements And Regulations<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re looking to become an HIS quickly \u2013 and start selling home improvement services in your neck of the woods \u2013 you\u2019re in luck! Working as an HIS can be extremely lucrative in the incredibly wealthy state of California and getting started is remarkably easy \u2013 especially compared to other contractor-related professions. All you need to do is get your CSLB HIS license.<\/a><\/p>\n

Every person who sells home improvement services \u2013 no matter when, where, how or why \u2013 must be registered with the CSLB and have a valid CSLB HIS license. There are no exceptions to this \u2013 unlike contracting jobs under $500<\/a> \u2013 so, too do home improvement salespeople.<\/p>\n

The good news is getting your HIS license is extremely easy, especially by CSLB standards. You only need two things to get your CSLB HIS license, so you can start working with contractors to book them jobs (and collect your sweet, sweet commission). These are:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Be at least 18 years old<\/li>\n
  2. Submit an application to the CSLB for your license<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    That\u2019s it! You only need to be a legal adult for you to get your HIS license and start knocking on doors.<\/p>\n

    Do I Need A Contractor\u2019s License To Be A Home Improvement Salesperson?<\/h3>\n

    No, you do not need a contractor\u2019s license to sell home improvement services in California. As we\u2019ve discussed \u2013 you only need a CSLB Home Improvement Salesperson\u2019s license to be an HIS in California.<\/p>\n

    While many B-2 Home Improvement contractor’s license holders may want to get their HIS license in order to book their jobs directly, the reverse is rarely true \u2013 most home improvement salespeople do not acquire a contractor\u2019s license.<\/p>\n

    Exceptions to the Rule<\/h3>\n

    Although all people who sell home improvement services technically need a CSLB HIS license, there are some exceptions, as always with the CSLB.<\/p>\n

    Anyone who falls under the following situations is exempt from needing a CSLB license<\/a>:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. An officer of record of a licensed corporation, or a manager, member, or officer of record of a licensed limited liability company<\/li>\n
    2. A general partner listed on the license record of a partnership<\/li>\n
    3. A qualifying person, as defined in BPC section 7025<\/a><\/li>\n
    4. A salesperson whose sales are all made after negotiations between the parties if the negotiations are initiated by the prospective buyer at or with a general merchandise retail establishment that operates from a fixed location where goods or services are offered for sale<\/li>\n
    5. A person who contacts the prospective buyer for the exclusive purpose of scheduling appointments for a registered home improvement salesperson.<\/li>\n
    6. A bona fide service repairperson who is employed by a licensed contractor and whose repair or service call is limited to the service, repair, or emergency repair initially requested by the buyer of the service<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      4 Steps To Getting Your HIS License<\/h3>\n

      The registration process for a home improvement salesperson has been streamlined thanks to the CSLB’s online interactive forms. The whole process takes place online now and it can all be done in a matter of minutes, provided you have the right information.<\/p>\n

      Here\u2019s 4 Steps to getting your HIS license:<\/p>\n

      Step 1:<\/strong> Gather all the information and details you need to apply. This includes your driver\u2019s license to prove your age and identity, and<\/p>\n

      Step 2:<\/strong> Apply for your HIS registration<\/a>. Fill this out right<\/strong> \u2013 the CSLB rejects over HALF of HIS applications, adding weeks or months to the time it takes to get your license.<\/p>\n

      Step 3:<\/strong> Fingerprint\/Live Scan\/Background Check.<\/a> If you have anything on your criminal record, it will come up here. You may be disqualified from a CSLB HIS license \u2013 it really is up to the CSLB.<\/p>\n

      Step 4:<\/strong> Receive your license! You did it! Now you can start selling home improvement services in California!<\/p>\n

      Learn more about the process of getting your HIS license on the CSLB website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

      The Key Differences Between a HIS License and a Contractor\u2019s License<\/h3>\n

      Home improvement salespeople and contractors have a mutually beneficial relationship, but the differences in expertise, safety compliance, and general skillset between the two could not be bigger.<\/p>\n

      The HIS license is the easiest CSLB license to get, for the following reasons:<\/p>\n