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May 10, 2021

How to Get a Contractor’s License in Oregon

Surety Bond Professionals is a family-owned and operated bonding agency with over 30 years of experience. With access to a broad range of surety markets, our expert agents are ready to assist with all of your Oregon contractor license bond needs. Learn how to get a contractor’s license in Oregon, below. What Contractor Licenses Are Issued in Oregon? The Oregon Construction Contractors Board issues both residential and commercial contractor licenses with certain endorsements specifying the particular kind of work that can be performed in each case. There are seven endorsements for residential general contractor licenses and three for commercial. What Are the Steps in the Licensing Process? Here is an overview of key steps in the licensing process: Determine what type of license and endorsement you will need. Complete the pre-license training and pass the required examination. Register your business with the Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division, and the Oregon Department of Revenue. Purchase an Oregon contractor license bond in the amount required for your particular endorsement type. If you have both residential and commercial licenses, you must obtain two separate bonds. Obtain proof of proper workers’ compensation and general liability insurance. Download and complete the applicable application:...

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May 10, 2021

How to Get a Contractor’s License in North Carolina

Surety Bond Professionals is a family-owned and operated bonding agency with over 30 years of experience. With access to a broad range of surety markets, our expert agents are ready to assist with all of your North Carolina contractor license bond needs. Learn how to get a contractor’s license in North Carolina, below. What Contractor Licenses Are Issued in North Carolina? While North Carolina issues licenses to electrical, landscape, and HVAC licenses, the focus here is on the licensing of general contractors. The North Carolina Board of General Contractors issues licenses in five different classifications: Building contractor Residential contractor Highway contractor Public utilities contractor Specialty contractor Licenses in each of these categories are further classified as limited, intermediate, and unlimited classes based on the maximum allowable value of a single project. What Are the Steps in the Licensing Process? Before applying for a general contractor’s license of any type, you’ll need to register your business with the Office of the Secretary of State and meet certain eligibility requirements, including a passing grade on the applicable examination. You’ll also need to demonstrate the required level of working capital or purchase a North Carolina contractor’s license bond, as illustrated below. License...

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May 10, 2021

How to Get a Contractor’s License in Georgia

Surety Bond Professionals is a family-owned and operated bonding agency with over 30 years of experience. With access to a broad range of surety markets, our expert agents are ready to assist with all of your Georgia contractor license bond needs. Learn how to get a contractor’s license in Georgia, below. What Contractor Licenses Are Issued in Georgia? The Georgia Board for Residential and General Contractors issues four different types of contractor licenses: Residential-Basic Contractor License. Work is limited to detached one-and two-family homes and single-family townhouses of three stories or less. Residential-Light Commercial Contractor License. This includes all work allowed under a residential-basic contractor license, plus work on multi-family homes and multi-use light commercial buildings. General Contractor Licenses involve unlimited contractor services. General Contractor-Limited Licenses include everything permitted under a general contractor license but with a contract limit of $500,000. Education, experience, financial, and insurance requirements differ by license type. What Are the Steps in the Licensing Process? In general, getting licensed as a contractor in Georgia involves the following steps, though the details vary depending on the specific type of license you’re seeking: Determine which type of license you need and ensure that you meet the basic...

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May 10, 2021

How to Get a Contractor’s License in Texas

Surety Bond Professionals is a family-owned and operated bonding agency with over 30 years of experience. With access to a broad range of surety markets, our expert agents are ready to assist with all of your Texas contractor license bond needs. Learn how to get a contractor’s license in Texas, below. What Contractor Licenses Are Issued in Texas? In Texas, plumbers and electricians are licensed at the state level. However, other specialty contractors and general contractors are licensed locally, and not all local jurisdictions require contractor licensing. Electricians are licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration (TDLR) and plumbers are licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE). What Are the Steps in the Licensing Process? There are several different types of licenses for electrical and plumbing contractors. Refer to the TDLR or TSBPE website for a description of the different types of electrical and plumbing licenses and the procedures for obtaining the one you may need. Applications may be submitted online through these sites. Licensing requirements and procedures for specialty and general contractors vary by jurisdiction. You’ll need to check with the local government in the municipality where you plan to work to see...

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May 10, 2021

How to Get a Contractor’s License in Virginia

Surety Bond Professionals is a family-owned and operated bonding agency with over 30 years of experience. With access to a broad range of surety markets, our expert agents are ready to assist with all of your Virginia contractor license bond needs. Learn how to get a contractor’s license in Virginia, below. What Contractor Licenses Are Issued in Virginia? Virginia licenses contractors through the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Virginia Board for Contractors. Virginia contractor licenses are classified in two different ways: The value of the projects undertaken The type of work done (general or specialty). The three main classes of Virginia contractor licenses are: License Class Single Project Value Total 12-Month Value of All Projects A Over $120,000 $750,000 plus B $10,000 to $120,000 $150,000 – $750,000 C $1,000 to $10,000 $150,000 or less All contractor licenses are issued to businesses, not individuals. This means that you must register your business with the state, even if you operate as a sole proprietor with only yourself as an employee. What Are the Steps in the Licensing Process? The licensing process is relatively straightforward: Register your business with the state. Complete the required eight hours of pre-licensing training and pass...

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May 10, 2021

How to Get a Contractor’s License in Florida

Surety Bond Professionals is a family-owned and operated bonding agency with over 30 years of experience. With access to a broad range of surety markets, our expert agents are ready to assist with all of your Florida contractor license bond needs. Learn how to get a contractor’s license in Florida, below. What Contractor Licenses Are Issued in Florida? Florida issues contractor licenses in two broad categories: Certified licenses, which are valid anywhere in the state Registered licenses, which are valid only in certain local jurisdictions Within each of these categories, Florida licenses residential contractors, building contractors, general contractors, and contractors in a variety of specialty trades. What Are the Steps in the Licensing Process? Licensing requirements and procedures vary depending on the type of license being sought. In general, whether you’re applying for a certified or registered contractor license, you’ll need to take and pass the Florida State Construction exam. Or, in the case of a certified contractor license, obtain a Certificate of Competency from the local jurisdiction in lieu of taking the written exam. Other requirements common to both certified and registered license applications are a credit score report and fingerprinting. The application packet for each type of...

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May 10, 2021

How to Get a Contractor’s License in California

Surety Bond Professionals is a family-owned and operated bonding agency with over 30 years of experience. With access to a broad range of surety markets, our expert agents are ready to assist with all of your California contractor bond needs. Learn how to get a contractor’s license in California, below. What Contractor Licenses Are Issued in California? California’s Contractors State License Board (CSLB) issues contractor licenses in three broad categories: Class A licenses are for contractors whose work requires engineering knowledge. Class B licenses are for general contractors employing two or more types of subcontractors on a given project. Class C licenses are for contractors working in one or more of the 44 different specialized licensing classifications currently available in California. The total labor and materials cost of one or more contracts to be awarded on a project must be $500 or more to bid on projects such as the construction or modification of buildings, highways, roads, parking facilities, railroads, excavations, or other structures anywhere in California. What Are the Steps in the Licensing Process? To begin the licensing process, first make sure you meet all age, experience, education, and examination requirements for licensure. Obtain the proper California business...

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May 10, 2021

How to Get a Freight Broker License

Surety Bond Professionals is a family-owned and operated bonding agency with over 30 years of experience. With access to a broad range of surety markets, our expert agents are ready to assist with all of your freight broker bond needs. Learn how to get a freight broker license, below. Who Needs a Freight Broker License? A freight broker license is commonly referred to as an MC Authority, which is shorthand for a Motor Carrier Operating Authority. Anyone who wants to work as a freight broker must obtain one from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). What Are the Steps in the Licensing Process? Here is what you’ll need to do to get licensed as a freight broker: Establish your business as a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, corporation, or other legal entity. Complete the freight broker application (OP-1) form. Pay the application fee (currently $300). Purchase a $75,000 BMC-84 freight broker surety bond. Name a process agent in the state where your office is located. If you have offices in multiple states, you’ll need a process agent in each of those states. Complete the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) You’ll receive your MC number in the mail after your application...

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May 10, 2021

How to Obtain an Auctioneer License in Mississippi

Surety Bond Professionals is a family-owned and operated bonding agency with over 30 years of experience. With access to a broad range of surety markets, our expert agents are ready to assist with all of your Mississippi auctioneer bond needs. Learn how to obtain an auctioneer license in Mississippi, below. What Is a Mississippi Auctioneer License? A Mississippi auctioneer license permits an auctioneer to do business legally anywhere in the state. It’s not to be confused with the license that allows auto dealers to buy and sell vehicles at auction. Auctioneer licenses are valid for two years and expire on March 2 of odd-numbered years. Who Needs a Mississippi Auctioneer License? Auction firms, galleries, and individual auctioneers are required to be licensed by the Mississippi Auctioneers Commission, whether or not they are residents of Mississippi. Mississippi has reciprocity agreements with certain other states, which reduces the cost of obtaining a Mississippi auctioneer license as a non-resident firm or individual. The licensing requirement now applies to people who conduct online auctions as well as those who conduct traditional auctions. What Are the Steps in the Licensing Process? To obtain a Mississippi auctioneer license, complete the following steps: Meet specific pre-licensing...

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