All posts by SEO Team

May 10, 2021

How to Obtain a Car Auction 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 car auction license bond needs. Learn how to obtain a car auction license in Texas, below. What Is a Texas Car Auction License? The Texas DMV issues several different types of dealer licenses. In order to sell used vehicles at auction, you’ll need to become licensed as a wholesale auction dealer, which has its own GDN, or General Distinguishing Number. Only dealers with a wholesale auction GDN may hold a wholesale (dealer-to-dealer) auction. Licensed motor vehicle dealers may sell their own inventory at auction on their own lot, but they must use an auctioneer who is licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. What Are the Steps in the Licensing Process? Several pre-licensing requirements must be met before you apply for any Texas car dealer license. For example, you must set up your business, whether you’re going to operate as a sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership, or corporation, and register it with the Texas Secretary of State. You must also establish...

Read more
May 5, 2021

How to Get a General Contractor’s License in Washington State

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 Washington general contractor license bond needs. Learn how to get a general contractor’s license in Washington State, below. What Contractor Licenses Are Issued in Washington? The state of Washington issues dozens of different specialty licenses to contractors in various construction trades. However, general contractors go through a registration process rather than licensing. What Are the Steps in the Registration Process? To register with the Washington Department of Labor and Industry, general contractors must: Be properly registered with the Washington Secretary of State as a business entity if operating as an LLC or corporation Purchase a $12,000 surety bond (specialty contractors must purchase a $6,000 bond) Be insured for the required amount of general liability coverage and worker’s compensation insurance if the business has employees Complete an Application for Construction Contractor Registration and have all signatures notarized Pay the required application fee The surety bond must remain in force continuously to maintain valid registration. Why is a General Contractors Bond Required? A Washington State...

Read more
May 5, 2021

How to Get a Contractor’s License in Michigan

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 Michigan contractor license bond needs. Learn how to get a contractor’s license in Michigan, below. What Contractor Licenses Are Issued in Michigan? If you want to work in Michigan as a general contractor on projects valued at more than $600, you will need to obtain one of the following licenses: Residential builder’s license Residential maintenance and alteration contractor These licenses are issued by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Certain municipalities have their own licensing requirements for commercial contractors. What Are the Steps in the Licensing Process? In general, these are the major steps in the licensing process at the state level: Complete 60 hours of mandatory pre-licensing education. Complete the application for the type of license you’re seeking. Submit the completed application along with the certificate of completion of the education requirements, a copy of your driver’s license or state-issued ID card, and the license fee (currently $195 for an initial license) to LARA. Upon LARA’s approval, take the Residential...

Read more
May 5, 2021

How to Get a Contractor’s License in Arkansas

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 Arkansas contractor license bond needs. Learn how to get a contractor’s license in Arkansas, below. What Contractor Licenses Are Issued in Arkansas? Arkansas contractor licenses are categorized as either residential or commercial, defined as below: Residential contractor’s license. This is required for projects valued at more than $2,000 (including labor, materials, and other costs) on any single-family residence (which actually can contain up to four separate residential units). Commercial contractor’s license. This is required for projects valued at $50,000 or more (including labor, materials, and other costs) on any structure not considered a single-family residence. There are also three other specialty licenses: A restricted commercial license for projects valued at less than $750,000. A light building commercial license for projects valued at less than $500,000 involving commercial buildings no more than two stories tall. A home improvement license for residential remodeling or repair projects valued at more than $2,000 (not required if you own the home or are already licensed as another type...

Read more
May 5, 2021

How to Get a Contractor’s License in Louisiana

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 Louisiana contractor license bond needs. Learn how to get a contractor’s license in Louisiana, below. What Contractor Licenses Are Issued in Louisiana? The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) issues contractor licenses in three main classifications and a host of specialty trades. The main license classifications are: Residential contractor, for residential jobs valued in excess of $75,000. Commercial contractor, for commercial projects valued in excess of $50,000 including labor and materials. Home improvement contractor, for any type of home improvement projects valued between $7,500 and $75,000. 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 Louisiana involves the following steps, though the details vary depending on the specific type of license you’re seeking: Create a business structure and register your business with the Louisiana Secretary of State. Complete the Louisiana contractor’s license application. The same application form is used for residential and commercial licenses, but...

Read more
May 5, 2021

How to Get a Contractor’s License in Arizona

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 Arizona contractor license bond needs. Learn how to get a contractor’s license in Arizona, below. What Contractor Licenses Are Issued in Arizona? In Arizona, contractors are licensed by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (AZROC). For every specific building trade of the construction field, AZROC issues separate commercial and residential licenses and a dual license that permits both residential and commercial work. There are 40 different residential specialty license classifications alone. What Are the Steps in the Licensing Process? While the specific steps in the licensing process differ depending on the license classification, in general, getting licensed by AZROC involves: Meeting examination and experience requirements Passing a background check Registering your business with the state Purchasing an Arizona contractor license bond Paying the required fees and assessments Providing proof of your identity Completing and submitting the appropriate license application form Submitting the completed application and all supporting documents to AZROC Why Is a Contractor License Bond Required? There are some very good reasons for...

Read more
May 5, 2021

How to Get a Contractor’s License in New York

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 New York contractor license bond needs. Learn how to get a contractor’s license in New York, below. What Contractor Licenses Are Issued in New York? New York doesn’t have a statewide licensing requirement for contractors. However, some New York municipal and county governments issue their own licenses for general contractors, typically referred to as home improvement contractors. This is the case in New York City and Buffalo, as well as in Nassau, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk, and Westchester counties. You’ll need to check with local authorities in the area in which you will be working to see what licensing requirements might apply. What Are the Steps in the Licensing Process? The licensing process varies by jurisdiction, but there are certain common elements. The following items are typical of what may need to be included when you submit your application packet to the local licensing authority: Evidence that your business is properly registered with the state Proof of your business name and personal identity and...

Read more
May 5, 2021

How to Obtain a Car Auction 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 car auction license bond needs. Learn how to obtain a car auction license in California, below. What License is Needed to Buy and Sell Cars at Auction in California? The two main types of auto dealer licenses issued in California are retail and wholesale dealer licenses: A retail auto dealer license will give you the broadest range of opportunities to buy and sell pre-owned vehicles through the auction process in California. It allows you to buy and sell pre-owned vehicles at both dealer-only and public auctions. A wholesale license allows you to buy and sell at dealer-only auctions, but you may not auction pre-owned vehicles to the public. There are some requirements for obtaining a retail vehicle dealer license that don’t apply to wholesale dealer licenses, such as having to maintain an approved office and car lot. Wholesale dealers can work from a home office. What Are the Steps in the Licensing Process? The following points provide a broad overview of what...

Read more
May 5, 2021

How to Obtain an Auctioneer License in Louisiana

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 Louisiana auctioneer license bond needs. Learn how to obtain an auctioneer license in Louisiana, below. What Auctioneer Licenses Are Issued in Louisiana? The Louisiana Auctioneers Licensing Board (LALB) issues these licenses: Auctioneer Reciprocal auctioneer (for auctioneers already licensed in another state) Auction business (e.g., for auction houses) Apprentice (for apprentice auctioneers working under the supervision of a LALB-licensed auctioneer) LALB does not license those who conduct public livestock auctions. In most cases, individuals conducting bankruptcy sales or auctioning their own property are exempt from licensing. The LALB Licensing website provides access to the Certemy online application system. If you will be working as an auctioneer in East Baton Rouge Parish, be aware that you will need a local auctioneer license in addition to a state-level license from LALB. What Are the Steps in the Licensing Process? Certain eligibility criteria and pre-licensing requirements must be met before submitting an application for licensure as an auctioneer in Louisiana. This includes completing an approved pre-licensing education...

Read more