Need Some Input

jbandamy · 07-02-2007, 09:43 PM

I'M LOOKING TO GET MY( NC RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTORS LICENSE) AND NEED SOME GOOD ADVISE ON PREPARING FOR THE EXAM. IVE SEARCHED EVERY WERE FOR A GOOD STUDY SOURCE. WOULD PREFER SOFTWARE WITH SAMPLE EXAMS AND STUDY ?'S.............

**AtlanticWBConst.** · 07-02-2007, 10:25 PM

Each state has different sources in regards to the preparation for the tests.
In my area, it's class room time.

As of yet, I have not heard of anything, anywhere that can be taken online (which actually, makes sense to me).

BTW: If my memory serves me right, (in my area) you need to have proof of 3 years of fulltime work in some area of the construction/building field, in order to take the test (that is just one of the requirements to take the test). Have you done all the reseach to see what the requirements are for your area - in order to take the test?

Do some more research online. If you are serious and have some experience (beyond just wanting to get a contractor's license).....read up and see if you can find any info. here > (The forum is entitled "Contractor Licensing" and contains alot of information regarding questions like yours:

http://www.contractortalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=63

SecretSquirrel · 07-03-2007, 09:11 AM

Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem offers a buildings code course taught by a living breathing building inspector. I've attended twice and learned a great deal. Perhaps a TCC in your area offers the same.

With respect to AWBC's comment on the previous experience... it's not required here in NC. All you have to do is pony up the $17,000 (limited residential license) in some sort of "liquid" investment, to prove you're not a "fly by night", pass the test, and you're in.

Also, I believe there's some sample test questions and/or informative literature on the NC Licensing Board web site.

Check the Construction Books web site and search for "Building Codes Illustrated" and you'll find a plethora of information.

Good luck and I hope this helps.

Mike C.

RYANINMICHIGAN · 07-03-2007, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SecretSquirrel

All you have to do is pony up the $17,000 (limited residential license) in some sort of "liquid" investment, to prove you're not a "fly by night", pass the test, and you're in.

Holy Crap. $17,000 for a license? If that was the case here I would have never got started.

Clutchcargo · 07-03-2007, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RYANINMICHIGAN

Holy Crap. $17,000 for a license? If that was the case here I would have never got started.

Just buy a new truck and stick your name on it. That should do it.

SecretSquirrel · 07-03-2007, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RYANINMICHIGAN

Holy Crap. $17,000 for a license? If that was the case here I would have never got started.

Well... that's not exactly true. Sorry if my initial explanation wasn't clear. The applicant has to have $17,000 in assets.

<Snip from elegiblity requirements>

(a) Limited License. The applicant for such a license must:
(1) Be entitled to be admitted to the examination given by the Board in light of
the requirements set out in G.S. 87-10 and Section .0400 of this Chapter;
(2) Be financially stable to the extent that the total current assets of the applicant
or the firm or corporation he represents exceed the total current liabilities
by at least seventeen thousand dollars ($17,000.00); and
(3) Successfully complete 70 percent of the examination given the applicant by
the Board

<End snip>

The application fee is $15, I'm not sure how much the exam costs but the actual license renewal fee is $75 for a limited type which allows you to build anything residential up to $350,000. It gets more interesting if you go for the intermediate or unlimited license.

Welcome to NC

This is why I bought a backhoe instead of getting my license <deep sigh>.

SecretSquirrel · 07-03-2007, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clutchcargo

Just buy a new truck and stick your name on it. That should do it.

You can kinda/sorta legally do that as long as you don't bid on anything over $30,000. That lets some of the specialists off the hook; siding, roofing, painting contractors, etc.

Clutchcargo · 07-03-2007, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SecretSquirrel

You can kinda/sorta legally do that as long as you don't bid on anything over $30,000. That lets some of the specialists off the hook; siding, roofing, painting contractors, etc.

No that's not what I meant. I mean if you need $17000 in new assets to qualify for a license, a new truck should be enough to show that you're serious.

SecretSquirrel · 07-04-2007, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clutchcargo

No that's not what I meant. I mean if you need $17000 in new assets to qualify for a license, a new truck should be enough to show that you're serious.

Boy don't I wish that were true, but the assets have to be "liquid"... some account where it can be immediately accessed. You can't even invest in CD's or a Roth or anything that has your money locked up at the time of license renewal. Here's the intriquing part; You only have to prove your worthyness at the time of license renewal. Once that has been accomplished you can do anything you want with your money... but, you better have that $17K on hand at the next renewal interval. Kinda sucks, doesn't it? The inspector teaching that class at FTCC explained that this practice is for weeding out the "fly by nighters"... you know, keeping the riff raff out. If a truck was the only financial qualification then the woods (here in NC) would be full of GC's.