{"id":910,"date":"2020-08-05T23:31:01","date_gmt":"2020-08-06T06:31:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/contractorslicensingschools.com\/blog\/?p=910"},"modified":"2020-08-07T23:40:46","modified_gmt":"2020-08-08T06:40:46","slug":"are-you-ready-to-take-the-contractor-licensing-exam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/contractorslicensingschools.com\/blog\/are-you-ready-to-take-the-contractor-licensing-exam\/","title":{"rendered":"Are You Ready to Take the Contractor Licensing Exam?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>It takes a fair bit of work to get ready for the contractor licensing exam. But once you\u2019ve got everything you need to take it, you may open up a world of future opportunities for yourself. Here\u2019s how to know that you have checked all the boxes and are set up to take the exam successfully.<\/span><\/p>\n

You Know When Licensing Is Required
\n<\/b>Most construction projects you might expect to complete as a contractor will probably require a license. As a general rule, you should know that if the total is more than $500, you\u2019ll need to have a license in order to do it. Unlicensed contractors cannot break a project into several small pieces that are under $500 and be able to successfully claim exemption. There are a couple of exceptions, like if you\u2019re working on your own home. Ultimately, it\u2019s best to assume that you\u2019ll need a license for most services you want to offer as part of your contracting business.<\/span><\/p>\n

You Understand Why Licensing Is Important
\n<\/b>There\u2019s a reason that the state of California thinks it is so important that contractors should have a license in most cases. In order to get your contractor\u2019s license, you have to meet certain benchmarks for experience in your field. And once you have your license, it\u2019ll be easy to see what happens when people who don\u2019t know what they\u2019re doing perform the same kind of work you do. A lack of experience can be a hassle for clients, if not dangerous. Unlicensed contractors can also underbid on projects and make it harder for you to get established.<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019ve Got the Necessary Experience
\n<\/b>Construction is a field that very much prizes on-the-job training. This means that in order to qualify to take the contractor licensing exam, you\u2019ll need to show about four years\u2019 worth of experience working in that class. If you go to a trade school, that education may cover part of the experience requirement. Similarly, if you do a lot of projects on your own home, you can submit them for review and consideration as part of your experience. But in most cases, you\u2019ll get the experience working for a licensed contractor in a journeyman or foreman role.<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019ve Completed the Exam Preparation
\n<\/b>Once you have checked all the boxes for experience and get bonded, you need to make sure you have adequate exam preparation. Like many other standardized tests, it may not be enough to assume that you have all the knowledge and can take the exam with ease on a day off. Preparation through a qualified organization may make the difference between passing it on your first try and needing to take it more than once. Exam prep schools give you a variety of study methods, including:<\/span><\/p>\n