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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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May 10, 2021

How to Obtain an Auto Auction 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 auto auction license bond needs. Learn how to obtain an auto auction license in Florida, below. What Is a Florida Auto Auction License? Florida issues several different types of auto dealer licenses, two of which permit selling vehicles at auction: Type VW allows a dealer to buy and sell vehicles on a wholesale basis or at auctions to both wholesalers and the public Type VA is for dealers buying and selling only at wholesale auctions. What Are the Steps in the Licensing Process? Here is a broad overview of the major steps in the licensing process: Meet pre-licensing education requirements. Find a business location that meets state requirements and get it inspected by the Division of Motorists Services Compliance examiner. Form and register your business with the Secretary of State, Division of Corporations. Obtain a Federal Employee Identification Number from the IRS and a sales tax number from the Florida Department of Revenue. Purchase a $25,000 Florida auto auction license bond. Complete...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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