State board would license general contractors and register businesses

A nine-member state board would license general contractors and oversee exams and license renewals. The licensing definition covers people or businesses classified by the state construction division in specified general construction trades. The board would set license fees by regulation to cover proper expenses, without raising more than those expenses. The board would set continuing education rules as a condition of license renewal. Licenses would last three years. The board would hold the supplemental exam at least twice a year.

General contractor businesses would register each year with the Division of Consumer Affairs. The rule applies to general contractor businesses, except those that construct, repair, or maintain transportation infrastructure. Businesses that construct, repair, or maintain transportation infrastructure would not have to register under this rule. Division registration would not allow a business to bid on public works; it would still need to register with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development as a public works contractor. A violation could bring a civil penalty of up to $15,000 for the first violation and up to $25,000 for the second and each later violation. Business registration would be annual.