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October 23, 2021

Contractor’s License Requirements in South Carolina

In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to get a contractor license in the state of South 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 South Carolina contractor license bond needs. What Contractor Licenses Are Issued in South Carolina? South Carolina’s Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (SCLLR) issues two types of contractor licenses, with multiple classifications for each, through two different boards: General and mechanical contractor licenses, and   Residential builder and specialty contractor licenses What Are the Steps in the Licensing Process? Before you will be granted a South Carolina contractor license of any type, you will need to: Register your business with the Secretary of State’s office and with the South Carolina Department of Revenue Provide proof of relevant experience For all general and mechanical and some specialty contractor licenses, pass an exam Purchase workers’ compensation insurance if you will have employees Purchase a South Carolina contractor license bond Complete and submit the appropriate license application form, along with payment of the applicable fees...

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October 23, 2021

Contractor’s License Requirements in North Dakota

In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to get a contractor license in the state of North Dakota. 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 Dakota contractor license bond needs. What Contractor Licenses Are Issued in North Dakota? All contractors working in North Dakota on projects valued at $4,000 or more must be licensed at the state level. This applies to both general and specialty contractors. In fact, depending on the type of work you do you may need to acquire both a general contractor license and a specialty contractor license.  There are four different classes of general contractor licenses: Maximum Project Value/Cost Initial Application Fee Class A No Limit $450 Class B $500,000 $300 Class C $300,000 $225 Class D $100,000 $100 What Are the Steps in the Licensing Process? North Dakota’s process for licensing general contractors is relatively straightforward. You’ll need to obtain a North Dakota Sales and Use Tax permit and register your business with the state, as well as provide proof...

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October 22, 2021

Contractor’s License Requirements in Pennsylvania

In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to get a contractor license in the state of Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania contractor license bond needs. What Contractor Licenses Are Issued in Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania is unusual in that all contractors, both general and specialty, are licensed only at the local level. However, anyone who makes more than $5,000 a year doing home improvement work must comply with the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act of 2008 by registering with the Attorney General’s Office.   What Are the Steps in the Licensing Process? Many municipalities require specialty contractors to provide proof that they have passed the exam that allows them to move from apprentice to journeyman status in their trade. In addition to passing the appropriate exam, they may be subject to certain insurance and bonding requirements. Each local jurisdiction that requires licensing of general contractors has its own eligibility criteria and licensing procedures. While those procedures don’t involve taking an exam, they may entail providing...

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October 22, 2021

Contractor’s License Requirements in Oklahoma

In this article we will review the requirements you need to obtain a contractor’s license in the state of Oklahoma. 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 Oklahoma contractor license bond needs. What Contractor Licenses Are Issued in Oklahoma? Oklahoma licenses specialty contractors in the construction industry (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) at the state level, through the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board. General contractors are not licensed by the state but may be subject to local licensing requirements, depending on the counties and municipalities in which they work. What Are the Steps in the Licensing Process? The eligibility criteria and licensing requirements for specialty contractors are clearly defined on the OCIB website. While the specific procedures differ for each specialty, all specialty contractors must document proof of experience and pass a licensing exam. Once candidates have passed their exam, they must provide proof of sufficient liability insurance and furnish a $5,000 contractor license bond before their license will be activated. Each local jurisdiction that requires licensing of general contractors has its...

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August 30, 2021

West Virginia Car Dealer License Guide

In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to get a West Virginia car dealer license. Surety Bond Professionals is a family owned and operated bonding agency with over 30 years of experience. Our expert agents are ready to assist with all your West Virginia car dealer license bond needs. What Are the Different Types of West Virginia Car Dealer Licenses? The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues two types of car dealer licenses: “D” licenses for motor vehicle dealers selling both new and used vehicles, and “DUC” licenses permitting the sale of used vehicles only. There are also licenses for dealers selling other types of vehicles, such as motorcycles and recreational vehicles. The focus of this article is on the process for obtaining a DUC license. What Are the Steps in the Licensing Process? Before applying for a DUC license, you must register your dealership with the state and obtain a West Virginia business license. The next step is to secure a permanent dealership location. Once you notify DMV’s Dealer Services Office of your intent to apply for a license, an inspector will be sent out to verify that your location meets all state...

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August 30, 2021

Washington Car Dealer License Guide

In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to get a Washington car dealer license. Surety Bond Professionals is a family owned and operated bonding agency with over 30 years of experience. Our expert agents are ready to assist with all your Washington car dealer license bond needs. What Are the Different Types of Washington Car Dealer Licenses? The Washington Department of Licensing issues dealer licenses in these main categories: Motor Vehicle Dealer (selling new or used vehicles on a retail or wholesale basis) Motor Vehicle Dealer Subagency (an additional location for a motor vehicle dealer) Motor Vehicle Wholesaler (selling used vehicles only to other dealers) Other dealer licenses issued in the state of Washington include licenses to sell mobile homes and trailers, boats, off-road vehicles, and snowmobiles. This article focuses on the licensing of retail motor vehicle dealers. What Are the Steps in the Licensing Process? Before completing a dealer license application, you must have set up a legal business entity and registered it with the IRS to obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) and with the Washington Department of Revenue to obtain a state tax number. You’ll also need to accomplish the following before filling...

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August 30, 2021

Virginia Car Dealer License Guide

In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to get a Virginia car dealer license. Surety Bond Professionals is a family owned and operated bonding agency with over 30 years of experience. Our expert agents are ready to assist with all your Virginia car dealer license bond needs. What Are the Different Types of Virginia Car Dealer Licenses? In Virginia, the Motor Vehicle Dealer Board, operating under the auspices of the Department of Motor Vehicles issues two main types of dealer licenses: independent dealer-operator and franchise dealer-operator. This article addresses the licensing of independent dealer-operators selling used motor vehicles on a retail basis. What Are the Steps in the Licensing Process? There are a number of requirements that must be met before submitting an application for a Virginia dealer-operator license: Register your business with the IRS to obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number. Establish a permanent location for your dealership that meets local zoning requirements. Successfully complete the two-day pre-licensing course offered by the Virginia Community College System and the Virginia Independent Automobile Dealers Association (VIADA). Pass the dealer-operator portion of the Dealer-Operator and Salesperson’s Test, which can be taken at any DMV Customer Service Center. Purchase liability...

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August 30, 2021

Vermont Car Dealer License Guide

In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to get a Vermont car dealer license. Surety Bond Professionals is a family owned and operated bonding agency with over 30 years of experience. Our expert agents are ready to assist with all your Vermont car dealer license bond needs. What Are the Different Types of Vermont Vehicle Dealer Licenses? Vermont’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues different types of licenses for dealers selling different types of vehicles, from new or used cars to motorboats, farm equipment, and highway building equipment. This article focuses on what’s involved in getting licensed as a used car dealer. What Are the Steps in the Licensing Process? Before you can complete your license application, you’ll need to: Register your dealership with the IRS and obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) Use the state’s online Business Services Center to register your dealership with Vermont’s Secretary of State, the Department of Taxes, and the Department of Labor Establish a permanent business location and obtain zoning approval Obtain a local business permit if required in the area where your dealership will be located Obtain a criminal background check from the Vermont Crime Information Center Purchase...

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August 30, 2021

Utah Car Dealer License Guide

In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to get an Utah car dealer license. Surety Bond Professionals is a family owned and operated bonding agency with over 30 years of experience. Our expert agents are ready to assist with all your Utah car dealer license bond needs. What Are the Different Types of Utah Car Dealer Licenses? Utah’s Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division (MVED) issues three main types of motor vehicle dealer licenses: New vehicle dealer license Used vehicle dealer license Motorcycle dealer license The most common of these is a used vehicle dealer license, which is the focus of this article. What Are the Steps in the Licensing Process? Before you complete and submit your application for a vehicle dealer license, you’ll need to accomplish certain tasks including: Obtaining a Federal Employer Identification Number from the IRS Registering your dealership with the Utah State Tax Commission and obtaining a sales tax number Completing an 8-hour pre-licensing course offered by MVED or by an approved training vendor Securing a permanent business location Purchasing the required amount of liability insurance Purchasing Workers’ Compensation insurance to cover employees Purchasing a $75,000 Utah car dealer bond Within 5-10 days of receiving...

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August 30, 2021

Texas Car Dealer License Guide

Texas Car Dealer License Guide In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to get a Texas car dealer license. Surety Bond Professionals is a family owned and operated bonding agency with over 30 years of experience. Our expert agents are ready to assist with all your Texas car dealer license bond needs. What Are the Different Types of Texas Car Dealer Licenses? The Motor Vehicle Division of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles issues several types of dealer licenses, each of which is associated with its own General Distinguishing Number, or “GDN,” which identifies the specific type of vehicle being sold. If you will be selling more than one type of vehicle, you’ll need a GDN for each of them. The license categories/GDNs are: Motor vehicle dealer (selling used motor vehicles) Motorcycle (user) dealer Travel trailer (used) dealer Utility trailer/semi-trailer (new or used) dealer To sell new vehicles in any of the above categories except for utility/semi-trailers, you will also need a franchise dealer license/GDN. Our focus here is on the licensing of motor vehicle dealers selling only used vehicles. What Are the Steps in the Licensing Process? Before completing and submitting your application for a standard...

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