Jobs You Can Do With a General B License!

What Jobs Can You Bid with a General B License?

The General B license is for individuals or companies that specialize in residential and commercial construction work.

There are a variety of jobs you can bid on if you have this license, including:

Design & Builds
Remodeling
Concrete Foundations
Residential houses
Strip malls
Apartment complexes
Commercial office buildings
Framing
Rough Carpentry
Residential and Commercial building construction
Windows and Doors
Painting and Mold removal
Guesthouses
Hardscapes
Room additions
Garages
Masonry Features
Hardscapes, decks, porches & gazebos
Property management
Hammock frames
Entertainment centers
Storage spaces
Custom designs
Decks, Fencing, Gates & Railing
Demolition and Hauling
Flooring
Sewage clean up
Storm and Smoke Damage Restoration
Project Scheduling, Permitting, Safety Planning
Impact mitigation
Woodworking
Compliance
Post-construction services and clean up
Construction Management
Capital Improvements
On-site inspection and reporting
Budget Development
Cost estimating and reporting
Tenant improvements
ADA upgrades
Exterior upgrades
Green building
Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing
Cool Wall Systems
Landscaping
Acrylic shower bases, bathroom vanities
Glass shower door installation

Limitations of the General B license

It is extremely important to remember that there are limitations to the General B license.

Holding this classification does not mean that you can simply bid on any project. Let's analyze the definition of a General Contractor by the CSLB:

A general building contractor may take a prime contract or a subcontract for a framing or carpentry project. However, a general building contractor shall not take a prime contract for any project involving trades other than framing or carpentry unless the prime contract requires at least two unrelated building trades or crafts other than framing or carpentry, or unless the general building contractor holds the appropriate license classification or subcontracts with an appropriately licensed specialty contractor to perform the work.

A general building contractor shall not take a subcontract involving trades other than framing or carpentry, unless the subcontract requires at least two unrelated trades or crafts other than framing or carpentry, or unless the general building contractor holds the appropriate license classification.

The general building contractor may not count framing or carpentry in calculating the two unrelated trades necessary in order for the general building contractor to be able to take a prime contract or subcontract for a project involving other trades.

When in doubt. ALWAYS check with the Contractors State License Board for clarification.

General Contractors and the CSLB

The General B license is one of 74 classifications available in California. Contractors in the state of California are governed by the CSLB(Contractors State License Board)

There are 4 major classification categories:

Common Pairings for the General B Contractor License

Contractors in California can hold multiple classifications.

The most common pairing for the General B license are:

General B license requirements

To become licensed with the CSLB you must meet the following basic requirements:

18 Years of Age
4 Years of Journeyman Level Experience
Social Security or ITIN #
Not Currently on Probation or Parole
Signature from a licensed contractor, fellow employee, supervisor, or business associate

Test Questions and Answers

What construction concepts do I need to know for the exam?

You will definitely want to be prepared for any curveballs that could come up on the California General b license exam.

You may be presented with questions related to cost estimating, electrical, plumbing or concrete that could be unfamiliar.

Take the time to review every possible question and concept.

Below is a breakdown of what you need to know:

Planning and Estimating (17%)

Scope of work and code compliance
Design and construction error identification
Shop drawings, plans, and specifications
Field inspection performance
Coordination of project
Cost estimation for materials, equipment, and
labor

Framing and Structural Components (22%)

Subfloor and wall framing
Roof framing
Seismic and load requirements
Siding and stucco
Decks

Core Trades (30%)

Plumbing
Electrical
HVAC
Concrete
Earthwork and surveying
Insulation, acoustical, and weatherproofing
Roofing

Finish Trades (19%)

Painting, staining, coating, and interior wall
covering
Tile and stone
Floor covering
Cabinetry and millwork
Plaster, drywall, and ceilings
Windows, skylights, and doors
Landscaping

Safety (12%)

Personnel safety
Transportation and traffic control
Environmental safety

General B Crash Course

What's the General B Contractor license exam process like?

The exam will be:

115 Questions Law & Business
115 Questions General Construction
Multiple Choice
Closed Book
3 Hours to Complete each section
Taken via Computer at a proctored exam center
Exam Centers located all over the state of California

Math Skills

There will be math on your CSLB law & business and trade exam.

On the law side, questions will be presented to you as if you are a General Contractor with multiple projects running simultaneously with several employees.

You can expect math questions related to:

Arithmetic
Cost Estimation
Percentages and Decimals

The math you can expect on the General contractor license exam may vary. Be prepared for questions that may include:

Basic Geometry
Units of measurement
Percentages and Decimals
Light algebra and electrical math

Blueprint Reading Skills

Blueprint reading is a fundamental skill for all contractors... but especially general contractors!

Knowing how to interpret plans is a key part of the job if you are working within a construction crew.

Interpreting building plans is critical.

Some aspects of plan reading may also be your examination.

For a deeper look at blueprint reading concepts, you will want to check out this free blueprint reading guide.

CSLB law & business exam

Our complete course gives you everything you need to pass the California general b contractor license exam.

In addition to getting brushed up on the construction trade, those looking to get the General b license will be equipped with a crash course on how to run a profitable business.

You will learn:

Company organization
How to bid effectively
Understanding cost control
Various contract types
Cash management
Estimation fundamentals
CAL/OSHA
Business Structures
Worker’s Compensation and Taxes
Insurance Types in Construction
Labor Laws and Employee Rights
Hiring and Firing Practices
Contractor Bonds
Mechanics Liens
State Laws and Statutes
Project Management 101
Prevailing Wages and Public Works
And Much More!

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