What is a C-61 / D-6 Concrete Related Services License?
The D-6 license is the classification required in the state of California for anyone looking to bid on concrete services that DO NOT include:
- Pouring
- Placing
- Finishing
where the cost of labor and materials exceeds $500
Jobs You Can Do With the D-6 License
Read the Contractors State License Board definition below:
“A concrete related services contractor installs reusable steel concrete form sections or interlocking precast pavers. Performs post-tensioning work, concrete sawing, breaking, curing, floor hardening treatment, coloring concrete, concrete restoration, coring work or operates a concrete pumping service; also includes the application of gunite, but does not include the installation of reinforcing steel” – CSLB.GOV
What are Concrete Services?
The D-6 Concrete Services License classification covers a wide range of concrete services including:
- Installing reusable steel concrete
- Sawing, breaking, curing, staining, and coloring of concrete
- check Installing pre-cast pavers
- Applying gunite
- Concrete pumping
- Operating line and boom pumps
- Maintaining job-site and personal safety
- Bidding, estimating, creating invoices, and accounting
- Site evaluation and reading blueprints
C-8 Concrete license vs D-6 concrete services license
California has two different licenses for contractors that work with concrete:
- The C-8 License: Concrete
- The D-6 License: Concrete Related Services
D-6 Concrete Related Services License
- Reinforcing Concrete
- Concrete pouring, finishing, placing, and forming
- Slab work
- Placing and setting screeds for pavement or flatwork
- Mixing mortar
- Building sidewalks, retaining walls, and foundations
- LAW AND TRADE EXAM
- Concrete sawing, curing, coloring, and restoration
- Concrete pumping
- Installation of reusable concrete
- Concrete breaking
- Floor hardening treatment
- Coring work
- LAW EXAM ONLY
Concrete Subcontractor
Contractors specializing in concrete pumping typically work directly with a property owner or C-8 License holder. However, they may also function as subcontractors as part of a larger construction project.
In a construction setting, a General Contractor may hire a concrete pumping service specifically for their expertise and equipment.
As a result, a general contractor ensures that the concrete pumping phase of the project is executed correctly.
Learn more about the General Contractor License!
CSLB
The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is the governing body for all contractors in the state of California. Their sole responsibility is to protect the consumer public.
They ensure that anyone charging over $500 for construction services is qualified and registered with the state.
The C-61 / D-6 concrete services contractor license is issued to contractors by the CSLB.
EPA Certification
When making alterations to or around structures built before 1978, contractors must know how to contain lead paint if it is present.
Lead paint can travel miles through air, rest on soil, and enter air ducts causing potentially fatal respiratory damage.
Concrete services contractors looking to build profitable businesses must position themselves as experts and the authority within their industry.
Concrete services contractors must be a source of information for their clients and community if they want referrals and repeat business. Learn how to get an EPA Certification in 8 hours!
Blue Print Reading Course
It is critical for concrete services contractors to be able to read designs and symbols on construction blueprints.
If installation or repair is part of a larger project, being able to execute their duties within the larger scope of the job is essential.
They also communicate what materials were used for its construction. Reading blueprints is an invaluable skill for all tradesmen but can be especially important for concrete services contractors.
Check out our Free Blueprint Reading Course!
C-61 / D-6 Concrete Services Contractor License Requirements
D-6 concrete services contractors in California must prove a minimum of 4 years of journeyman level experience and pass a law exam.
To qualify for an exam date you must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a valid Driver's License or USA Issued Identification
- Have a Social Security or ITIN #
- Not Currently be on probation or parole
You must also have:
- 4 Years Journey Level Experience
- A Certifier to sign off on your experience
- A way to prove your experience if the state asks for documentation
What is journey-level experience?
Journeyman-level experience means that you have worked unsupervised full-time for a concrete pumping service, or for a contractor that holds the D-6 License.
- A journeyman can perform all of the duties associated with his or her trade.
The CSLB will want to see four full-time years over the last ten years. The years do not need to be consecutive, but they do need to be four years in total.
Signature of a Certifier
The following people may act as a certifier when applying for your D-6 Concrete Services License
- Licensed General Contractor
- C-61 / D-6 Concrete Services License Holder
- Former Supervisor (within the last 10 years)
- Fellow Employee (within the last 10 years)
- Business Associate
- Fellow Journeyman
- Union Representative
How to fill out the Contractor License application
In addition, your Qualifying Individual will need to provide a brief but detailed description of your knowledge and skill set.
The way this description is written is critical to whether or not your application gets accepted.
For example:
“Sam made our patio look great” is not descriptive enough.
The explanation must look more like this:
“Ted has installed pre-cast pavers, he has cut, stained, and dyed concrete. He has operated a line and boom pump. Ted has applied gunite and installed reusable concrete” etc.
Most importantly, the description written by your qualifying individual has to include the core skills required by a concrete services contractor.
Work experience for the Contractor License
You must be prepared to submit documentation supporting the experience you claim to have. The Contractors State License Board gives you a few ways that you can prove your experience which include:
- Tax Returns
- Check Stubs
- Contracts
- Material Order Invoices or Receipts
The CSLB receives thousands of applications per month so there is a good chance they won’t document your experience.
However, if you are one of the applicants that get reviewed you will need to be ready to submit something.
The CSLB does not accept pictures of projects.
Application Processing, Fees, and Criminal History
The time it takes to get your application processed and assigned a test date fluctuates throughout the year.
Typically you can expect:
- 6-8 Week Application Processing Time
- 3-4 Week wait for an Exam date
I have seen some situations where applicants got their test date sooner and somewhere they got their test date much later.
The most common reasons your application would get held up are:
- Time of year (processing time slows down during the holidays)
- Criminal History
- Proving Experience
- Mistakes on your application
Contractor License Costs
The Current CSLB fees are:
- State Application Fee
- License Activation Fee (after you pass the exam)
- Fingerprinting
- Bond Fee (What is a Construction Bond?)
Can you get a Contractor's License with a Felony in California?
Having a criminal record in no way stops you from getting a concrete services contractor License. Thousands of tradesmen get licensed in California each year despite having criminal records.
The key is, to be honest on the application, even if the felony or misdemeanor happened years ago and even if it was expunged.
The CSLB has exam centers all over the state of California. Once your
application is approved you will be given a list of locations you can go and
take the exam based on your zip code.
These
are proctored facilities with cubicles where you take the exam on a computer.
The computer will have a calculator for your use. You will not be able to bring
in a phone, notes, or personal calculator to the exam center
BE 100% HONEST ON THE APPLICATION, because they will see everything anyway when you do fingerprinting. The CSLB handles criminal records on a case-by-case basis.
Remember, their responsibility is to protect the public. Typically the CSLB is most concerned with Fraud, Embezzlement, and Forgery.
The Contractor License Exam
Contractor licenses are broken down into four categories:
1) A-General Engineering
2) B-General Building
3) C-Specialty classes
4) C-61 / D-Limited Specialty classes
Each category of license except the D-Limited Specialty license class requires that you pass a TRADE exam.
C-61 Classification licenses do not have trade portions.
You must only pass a LAW exam. The exam is:
- 115 Questions on Contractor LAW
- 3 hours to complete
- Multiple choice, taken on a computer
- check Closed Book
The Law Examination is divided into eight major sections:
- Business Organization and Licensing (13%)
- Company organization
- Licensing requirements
- Advertising and subcontracting
- Business Finances (15%)
- Cash management
- Budget and planning
- Taxes
- Financial reporting
- Employment Requirements (20%)
- Hiring employees
- Supervising and training employees
- Evaluation and record-keeping
- Payroll
- Insurance and Liens (12%)
- Workers’ compensation insurance
- Business Insurance
- Liens and other remedies
- Contract Requirements and Execution (21%)
- Bidding
- Cost control
- Project organization
- Contracts
- Payments
- Public Works (5%)
- Prevailing wage requirements
- Bonding requirements
- Insurance requirements
- Safety (14%)
- Training and reporting requirements
- General safety
- Hazardous/unknown materials
Learn more about Contractor License LAW!
Recommended Resources
- Complete Law & Business Package
- C-8 Concrete + LAW Contractor Package
- Introduction Blueprint Reading Course
CSLB Test Locations
The CSLB has exam centers all over the state of California. Once your
application is approved you will be given a list of locations you can go and
take the exam based on your zip code.
These are proctored facilities with cubicles where you take the exam on a
computer. The computer will have a calculator for your use. You will not be
able to bring in a phone, notes, or personal calculator to the exam center.
California Contractors License Exam Prep
- Getting your concrete services contractors license is a smooth process if you have the right information.
- It can be confusing to see unfamiliar terms used to describe tools or job site practices. The Contractor LAW exam covers a number of different topics.
- Questions are presented to you as if you are running a large-scale remodeling business with multiple employees.
- Being prepared and knowing what to study is the most important thing you can do in ensuring your success on the contractor license exam.
Concrete Apprenticeships
If you do not have the experience required to get the C-61/D-6 Concrete Services Contractor license, not to worry! Your journey begins here.
Generally, someone looking to become a licensed contractor would want to look into an apprenticeship to find an experienced person to work with.
For a detailed explanation of this process, check out my article: Apprentice vs Journeyman!
OSHA Certification
Occupational Safety Hazard Association
Statistically, 21% of all work-related fatalities are in construction.
That equals about 1 and 5 worker deaths on average.
Professionals in the landscaping and tree removal industry must take pre-caution to prevent falls and injury.
Construction can be dangerous, especially if your workers are not properly trained. For employment with a concrete services company, you may be required that you have completed some level of OSHA training.
Learn more about OSHA Training!