atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums General General Telephone & Systems Information In California, is contractor license required to install VOIP phones?

2 years from now, low voltage work in CA. will be considered hazardous duty, and cause cancer.

Maybe. But if they keep it up nobody will be able to afford to do work in the state or nobody will be able to afford anybody that does. Just look at what CARB has done to the truckers and other businesses that use internal combustion engines.

-Hal

I wouldn't disagree with you especially with the required B.E.A.R registration. They only have 4 inspectors for the entire state and won;t do anything unless they get a lot of complaints in one area and then they just give out warnings.

Yes you will need a C7 and be bonded. Don't forget your seller's permit and city issued business licence...... Oh yea, and if you're selling anything with an LCD screen larger than 7" you'll need a permit for that too.

I just found this thread and have had the same issue (different answers/explanations regarding a C7 license in California). My question is how does one acquire a C7 license when their former employer did not have a C7 license. Do you have to have certifiable "journeyman" experience under another licensed contractor to apply and test for a C7?
I'm an independent consultant/reseller and 99% of my business is plugging-in computer electronics (no hard wiring involved). I thought I was OK without a license, but I after reading Mercenary Roadie's comments about needing a license to screw a server into a rack, I'm second guessing myself. The exam process doesn't bother me, but I don't know how I would get a C7 license based on my experience working at a company that held no contractor licenses. Any ideas/thoughts?

Sounds like something that the Sparky's union ram-rodded through the legislature to capture the low voltage work. Next, they'll require that 4-pair be as durable as romex. Oh well, at least perhaps they'll quit leaving only 4" of slack to use for terminations.

Nah, that would be Chicago. What goes on in California is because of liberals running amok.

-Hal

In order to qualify to get a contractors license you have to have work in that field for a set amount of time. To get a C-7 Low Voltage Systems license. You have to be able to prove you have 4000hrs working in the low voltage field. There is a form that you have someone fill out and they certify that you have the required 4000hrs.

You only need a contractors license when you add tangible property to a location.

Using your server install as an example. If you sell a rolling rack that does not get permanently mounted, then you do not need a license. If that rack is bolted to the floor, then you need a license. If you're just replacing a server or such in a rack, you do not need a license.

All cabling requires a license.

The kicker is any work under $500.00 does not need a license, but that $500.00 or over amount is based on the total cost of a project. Not just you part. An Example, Your friend is remodeling his bathroom and asks you to move an electrical outlet. You charge him $200.00, but the total cost of the remodel is $3000.00. You are in violation of contracting without a license.

If you want to know why California is so strict on Contractor Licenses. Just read some of the stories on the State Contractors License Board website (www.cslb.ca.gov).

By the way, everything you want to know about getting licensed is on that site.

Like no other state has people with the same stories. Difference is the California government thinks their population is so stupid that they need to take control with draconian measures to protect them. Not that I'm against licensing, but how far do you need to go? No more than 10% upfront? What do I look like a bank?

-Hal

I'm curious then about all the home theater installers. Really, the only true "installation" that I do is attaching an LCD to a wall. I wonder how all the home theater guys do it. Does every installer that works for BestBuy have a C7 license, or does the corporation have one license that covers everyone?

Regarding the experience, does the person signing off on your hours have to be licensed with a C7 also? In my case, I turned my former employer in to the state labor board for failure to pay wages, so I don't know how I will get them to willingly sign a form to help me out now. =(