What is a D-34 License?
The C-61/D-34 License classification refers to anyone that is performing installation work associated with but not limited to products:
- Modular Offices
- Theatre Stage Equipment
- School Classroom
- Store Fixtures
- Display Cases
- Bleachers and Seat Components
- Major Appliance installations
- Phone Booths
- Pre-wired Panels
- Toilet and Shower Room Partitions
- Prefabricated Closet Systems
- Laboratory Medical Equipment
- Dust Collecting Systems
- Factory Built Fireplaces and accessories
- Ventilating Hoods
- Sound Proof Rooms
C-61 Limited Specialty Classification
The C-61 Limited Specialty License is an umbrella term for 29 different licenses that may fall under a more obscure category of construction work.
They cover specific areas of construction and construction-related tasks.
If your skillset or business is limited to one particular portion of trade work, you could obtain a C-61 limited specialty license to contract over $500 for your services legally.
Duties associated with the D-34 license
Pre-fabricated equipment is a term used by the CSLB to refer to a wide range of things.
Generally, the equipment is constructed in a factory and then installed by a company holding the D-34 License.
Some of these duties include:
- Installing modular office equipment, bleachers, and theatre stage equipment
- Installation of bus stop shelters and phone booths
- Repair and maintenance of store fixtures, display cases, and office furniture
- Laboratory and medical equipment
- Presenting pre fabricated equipment options to potential clients
- Maintaining relationships with suppliers and vendors
- Site evaluations and pre job-site inspections
- Bidding, estimating and cost calculations
- Maintaining personal and job-site safety
D-34 licensed contractors may also hold C-7 Low Voltage or C-10 Electrical licenses if they are commonly engaging in electrical work in addition to the installation of pre-fabricated equipment.
Online Practice Exams and Study Guides
Subcontractor
In a construction setting, a General Contractor may hire a third-party company that holds the D-34 license.
This individual or company may possess specialized skills or equipment required to install a piece of particular equipment.
As a result, a general contractor ensures that this 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-34 license is issued to contractors by the CSLB.
How to get a D-34 License
To get the C-61/D-34 license you must prove a minimum of 4 years 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 Qualifying Individual 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 an installation company, or for a contractor that holds the D-34 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 Qualifying Individual
The following people may act as a Qualifying Individual when applying for the D-34 license:
- Licensed General Contractor
- C-61 / D-34 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 skillset.
The way this description is written is critical to whether or not your application gets accepted.
For example:
“Fred has a lot of experience installation modular office equipment” is not quite descriptive enough.
Your description will need to look more like this:
“Fred can read plans, execute the safe installation of various types of modular office equipment including filing cabinets, desks, lamps, and furniture” etc.
Make sure the description includes the core skills required for the D-34 license.
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 but 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 Fees
The Current CSLB fees are:
- State Application Fee – $330
- License Activation Fee – $200 (after you pass the exam)
- Fingerprinting
- Bond Fee (What is a Construction Bond?)
Can you get a Contractors License with a Felony in California?
Having a criminal record in no way stops you from getting a C-61/D-34 License. I have personally helped guys with all types of criminal records obtain multiple licenses.
The key is, to be honest on the application, even if the felony or misdemeanor happened years ago and even if it was expunged.
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
- Closed Book
The Law Examination is divided into eight major sections:
1. Business Organization (10%)
- Company organization
- Project organization
2. Business Finances (15%)
- Cash management
- Budget and planning
- Taxes
- Financial reporting
3. Employment Requirements (12%)
- Employment regulations
- Evaluation and record-keeping
- Payroll
4. Bonds, Insurance, and Liens (10%)
- Bonds
- Workers’ compensation insurance
- Liens and other remedies
- Other insurance
5. Contract Requirements and Execution (23%)
- Bidding
- Cost control
- Contracts
- Payments
6. Licensing Requirements (8%)
- Business license
- Contractor’s license
- Activity regulation
7. Safety (15%)
- Training and reporting requirements
- General safety
- Hazardous/unknown materials
8. Public Works (7%)
- Prevailing wage requirements
- Bonding requirements
- Insurance requirements
Learn more about Contractor License LAW!
CSLB Test Locations
The CSLB has test locations in the following cities:
- Berkeley
- Fresno
- Norwalk
- San Jose
- Oxnard
- Sacramento
- San Bernardino
- San Diego
- The CSLB will assign you a testing center based on your location
- The test is not available online
- The CSLB allows you to bring a pre-approved translator with you
- The CSLB will grant you 18 months after your application is accepted to pass the test
- You must wait three weeks before retaking the state exam ( $60 per retake )
California Contractors License Exam Prep
- Getting the C-61/D-34 License is a smooth process if you have the right information.
- It can be confusing to see un-familiar 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.
Construction Apprenticeship
If you do not have the experience required to get the C-61/D-34 license, not to worry! Your journey begins here.
Generally, someone looking to become a contractor would want to look into an apprenticeship to find an experienced person to work with.
For pre-fabricated equipment, you may want to research a specific area that services a high-value industry.
For a detailed explanation of this process, check out my article: Apprentice vs Journeyman!
How To Read Construction Blueprints!
Contractors that are installing modular offices, theatre stages, and other pre-fabricated equipment should know the basics of blueprint reading.
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.
Reading blueprints is an invaluable skill for all tradesmen but can be especially important for pole installation contractors.
Check out our Free Blueprint Reading Course!
EPA Certification
When installing equipment in a building built before 1978, you must be trained on how to contain lead. The Environmental Protection Agency has strict rules on this topic.
Lead paint can travel miles through the air, rest on soil, and even enter air ducts causing potentially fatal damage to those that come in contact with it.
As a contractor, you must be a source of information for your clients and community.
Learn how to get an EPA Certification in 8 hours!
Conclusion
Getting the D-34 License can be a huge step up in your career if you are looking to start bidding on projects or become an RMO for an existing company!
The key is to take action and follow these steps from beginning to end.
If you have found this article helpful feel free to drop a comment below and be sure to check back for updates!