The Contractors’ State License Board held a Licensing
Committee Meeting on Thursday, August 21, 2008, in Sacramento, CA.
The meeting was chaired by Licensing Committee Chair Ed
Lang. Mr. Lang introduced the newest Board Member and member of the
Licensing Committee, Bruce Rust.
Committee Members present were:
Chair, Ed Lang; Eddie Barnes; Matt Kelly; Cynthia
Mitchell; and Bruce Rust.
There were no public comments.
I.
LICENSING PROGRAM UPDATE
The Licensing Program Update
was presented by Karen Ollinger, Chief of Licensing.
1.
License Application Workload
The average number of
applications received per month was an unusual increase in 2004/2005, which
was attributed to the fingerprinting requirements which went into affect in
2005. Once the fingerprinting requirements and the workload thereof was
settled, it appears that the workload will flatten out as of this year.
The total number of
applications received in the month of June 2008, was 3,111.
2.
Fingerprinting/Criminal Background Unit Update
Since the fingerprint
program began in January 2005, the CSLB had received more than 153,000
transmittals from the Department of Justice. The CSLB Criminal Background
Unit received records of criminal offenders for nearly 24,000 applicants.
That means that the Department of Justice and/or the Federal Bureau of
Investigations reported that those individuals had a past criminal
conviction. Through June 2008, the Criminal Background Unite denied 768
applications and issued 416 probationary licenses.
However, as a result of our
wonderful governmental system and lack of a budget, the Licensing Division,
like all of the others have had to eliminate temporary help and overtime.
II.
TESTING DIVISION UPDATE
1.
Testing Center Status
Robert Porter reported on the testing center
status. Prior to the budget freeze, the testing center had reduced the time
within which an applicant could take a test to three to four weeks.
However, since the cut in the budget, and a problem with acquiring a new
lease, the time will be increased substantially.
III.
LICENSE REQUIREMENT FOR INSTALLATION OF INTERLOCKING PAVING
STONES
The Interlocking Concrete
Pavement Institute has requested that the Contractors' State License Board
investigate whether an additional specialty classification should be created
for their industry. Contractors who want to install interlocking concrete
paving stones are currently placed in the Masonry (C-29) or Concrete-Related
services (C-61/D-06).
The proponents of the
additional specialty classification state that there is a lack of
interlocking concrete paving installation knowledge tested on CSLB
examinations; a rapidly expanding market for the installation of
interlocking concrete paving stones; concern regarding uniform licensing
qualifications for installers; and unqualified contractors performing
residential jobs improperly.
The response from the CSLB
was that the CSLB classification system is designed to group similar
sub-specialty areas together into somewhat heterogeneous groupings. This
creates a manageable number of classification and allows for testing of
underlying knowledge that is applicable to many sub-specialties. The weight
of the content area discussed and other content areas of the examination are
determined through an occupational analysis. Every five years, the CSLB
performs and occupational analysis of each classification to update the
information that is included in the licensing examination. The CSLB
interviews and conducts workshops with licensed contractors who served as
“Subject Matter Experts” to identify the tasks that licensed contractors
perform and the knowledge that contractors need to know to practice safely
and competently.
Based on this analysis, the
Committee denied the request.
IV.
REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS
SECTION 832.45 ELECTRICAL SIGN CONTRACTOR
At a June Board Meeting, the
Executive Committee of the California Sign Association requested that the
definition of the C-45/Electrical Sign classification be clarified to
eliminate any possible confusion over the scope of the work for this license
category. This matter was referred to the Licensing Committee.
The issue was that some
public agencies would not allow a C-45 classification to bid on public
contracts for all types of sign installation. This resulted in an
interpretation that they could only do electrical signs. Further, the
awarding authority does not realize the limitations of the C-61/D-42
classification or the full capabilities of the C-45 classification.
The Licensing Committee has
recommended to the Board a Regulatory Change to amend the Title and
Description of the C-45 classification and changing the Title and
Description of the C-61/D-42 classification.
The following is the
Licensing Committee’s recommendation to the full Board:
C-45 – Sign Contractor
A sign contractor fabricates
and installs electric and non-electrical signs, including but not limited
to: post or pole supported signs, signs attached to structures, painted wall
signs and modifications to existing signs.
C-61 – Limited Specialty
D-42 – Non-Electrical Sign Installation
A non-electrical sign
installation contractor fabricates and installs all types of non-electrical
signs, including but not limited to: post or pole supported signs, signs
attached to structures, painted wall signs and modifications to existing
signs.
V.
REVIEW AND DEVELOPMENT OF ACTION PLAN FOR 2008-09 STRATEGIC
PLAN
The Strategic Plan of the
Licensing Committee and its goals are as follows:
|
1.
Add a photo ID to the Home Improvement Salesperson pocket
license |
|
|
2.
Reestablish e-mail unit in the Licensing Division |
July 2009 |
|
3.
Create new dedicated bilingual positions in Licensing
Information Center |
July 2009 |
|
4.
Revise pocket license and wall certificates |
July 2009 |
|
5.
Increase exam seating by expanding Fresno and San Diego
testing sites |
October 2010 |
|
6.
Improve candidate identification at testing centers |
October 2009 |
|
7.
Implement the DCA on-line licensure tool for credit card
payment |
July 2012 |
|
8.
Implement on-line license exam scheduling tool after DCA
iLicensing is implemented |
July 2013 |
