| Term |
Acronym |
Definition |
| Accusation |
|
A public written statement of charges CSLB has filed with the Office of the Attorney General that specifies statutes and rules a contractor or home improvement salesperson is alleged to have violated. It may result in a hearing to determine whether a licensee has violated the law and whether the license should be revoked, suspended, and/or placed under some type of restriction by the Registrar. |
| Active License Status |
|
Contractor is licensed and able to perform work. |
| Administrative Law Judge |
ALJ |
The hearing officer provided by the Office of Administrative Hearings to decide CSLB disciplinary cases. |
| Alternative Dispute Resolution |
ADR |
A process to economically and efficiently resolve disputes outside of court, such as arbitration, mediation, conciliation, negotiation, etc. |
| Application Fee Number |
App Fee |
A unique number assigned to an application received by the CSLB for which a fee has been paid. |
| Arbitration Program |
|
An informal process in which the people in conflict agree to let a neutral third person or panel make a final decision in a dispute between them. |
| Asbestos Certification |
ASB |
The certification required by contractors who perform asbestos related work. Before performing any asbestos related work, a licensee must also be registered with the Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Occupational Safety and Health. |
| Asbestos Open Book Examination |
|
A multiple-choice exam that must be completed by the qualifying individual prior to the issuance or renewal of a license. |
| Association Date |
|
The date a person is added to a license. |
| Attorney General, Office of the |
AG |
The state agency that represents the CSLB in administrative and some criminal matters before trial, appellate and supreme courts. |
| Automated Call Distributor |
ACD |
A system that answers calls and holds all calls on a first come – first served basis until a technician becomes available to answer the call. |
| Automated Phone Response System/ Interactive Voice Response |
APRS/ IVR |
An automated telephone system that contains pre-recorded messages. Callers may check a license, order forms and pamphlets or transfer to call center staff. |
| Blue Card |
|
The translator affidavit completed by translators/candidates requesting the use of a translator during an examination. |
| Bond of Qualifying Individual |
BQI |
The bond required for the qualifying individual who is a responsible managing employee (RME) or is a responsible managing officer (RMO) who owns 10% or less of the voting stock/equity of the license entity. |
| Business and Professions Code |
B&P |
The section of the California Codes where the Contractors License Laws can be found. |
| California Code of Regulations |
CCR |
The code, which includes CSLB rules and regulations. |
| California Licensed Contractor |
CLC |
A quarterly newsletter published by the CSLB. |
| CAT Site |
|
Any of seven testing centers statewide where contractor examinations are given on computers. |
| Certification |
|
The Asbestos Abatement or Hazardous Substance Removal certifications offered to licensed contractors who hold classifications directly related to this type of work. |
| Certificate of Insurance |
|
A certificate issued by a contractor’s insurance company and submitted to the CSLB as proof of workers’ compensation coverage. |
| Civil remedies |
|
Usually refers to money damages sought through suit in civil court (small claims court, municipal court, superior court). |
| Classification |
|
Refers to the type of work a contractor may perform, for example, plumbing, electrical, etc. There are 43 license classifications. |
| Complaint |
|
A written complaint filed with the Board alleging failure of a licensed contractor to fulfill the terms of an agreement. Alleged violations in a complaint could involve poor workmanship; requiring a down payment in excess of amount allowed by law; abandonment; failure to pay subcontractors or material suppliers; building code violations; use of false, misleading or deceptive advertising; violations of the Home Improvement Act; and violations of the Swimming Pool Act, etc. |
| Complaint Disclosure |
|
Process approved by law, which allows the Board to make information available to the public about contractors with probable violations or a history of violations. |
| Computer Assisted Testing |
CAT |
Contractor proficiency examinations are given on individual computers located at seven testing centers statewide. |
| Contractor’s Bond |
CB |
A bond required from all active licensees. Consumers can claim against the bond for violations of the Contractors License Law by a licensee. |
| Contractors State License Board |
CSLB |
Contractors State License Board. |
| Corporation |
CP |
A license issued to a business or organization that is registered and in active status with the California Secretary of State. |
| Criminal Action |
|
A misdemeanor or felony filing in which a contractor is charged with a violation of criminal law in order to punish violators by fine and/or imprisonment, to compel restitution and to deter (discourage) others from committing similar acts. |
| Default |
|
A situation where the respondent fails to appear to provide a defense. |
| Disassociation Date |
|
The date a person is removed as a member of the personnel of a license. |
| Disciplinary Bond |
DB |
A bond that is required when disciplinary action has been taken against a license. |
| Doing Business As |
DBA |
The name under which a licensee will conduct business. Example: John Smith dba Smith Construction or ABC Associates Inc. dba ABC Construction Services. |
| Enforcement Representative |
ER |
The staff that investigate complaints. |
| Entity |
|
The various types of businesses that can be licensed, such as, sole owner (individual), partnership, corporation or joint venture. |
| Exemption from Workers’ Compensation |
|
The form a contractor who does not hire employees must file with the CSLB. |
| Expired License Status |
|
A license that has not been renewed. |
| Extract Date |
|
The date the web page is accessed for information. |
| Failure to Appear |
FTA |
The term used when a candidate does not take a scheduled examination. |
| FTA Notice |
|
The letter mailed to candidates informing them that they failed to appear for a scheduled examination with instructions on how to reschedule. |
| Hazardous Substances Removal Certification |
HAZ |
The certification required by contractors who perform hazardous substance removal and remedial action. Only contractors holding certain license classifications can obtain HAZ certification. |
| Home Improvement |
|
Home improvement means the repairing, remodeling, altering, converting, modernizing of, or adding to, residential property land or structures. It also covers providing home improvement goods and services. |
| Home Improvement Salesperson |
HIS |
A person registered by the CSLB and employed by a licensed contractor to solicit, sell, negotiate, or execute home improvement contracts. |
| Inactive License Status |
|
The license status in which the contractor is still licensed but is not permitted to perform work. |
| Industry Expert |
IE |
Licensed professionals recruited by the Board to inspect a job and render an opinion on specific items of a complaint as directed by the CSLB’s Enforcement Representative. |
| Injunctions |
|
A court order requiring individuals and/or firms to stop doing certain acts on grounds these acts are against the law. |
| Issue Date |
|
The date a license was originally issued. |
| Joint Venture |
JV |
A license issued to a combination of already licensed companies or individuals. These companies or individuals must hold an active and current license at all times. |
| Law and Business Examination |
|
A written exam related to business and construction laws that must be passed by all qualifying individuals to become licensed. |
| Licensee Citation |
|
A written document that specifies violations of law performed by a licensee. A citation usually contains a civil penalty and/or an order to correct. |
| Mandatory Settlement Conferences |
|
An informal meeting in which the contractor must participate to settle a complaint and avoid a formal hearing. |
| Non-Licensee Citation |
|
A written document that alleges a violation of law by a non-licensee and usually including an order to stop performing unlicensed work. |
| Non-Licensee Citation Settlements |
|
A settlement with the CSLB for less than the original citation amount. |
| Notice to Appear |
NTA |
The letter mailed to candidates informing them of the time, date and location of their examination. A notice to appear is also used when a person is arrested for a misdemeanor and promises to appear in court rather than be taken in front of a magistrate. |
| Occupational Analysis |
OA |
A description of current work performed by contractors in terms of important tasks and knowledge. The OA is used to determine the content of licensing examinations. |
| Office of the Attorney General |
AG |
The state agency that represents the CSLB in administrative and some criminal matters before trial, appellate and supreme courts. |
| On-Site Negotiation Program |
OSN |
A program that brings together the complainant, the contractor and an industry expert at the job site where the CSLB’s Enforcement Representative attempts to negotiate a resolution to a complaint. |
| Owner-builder |
|
Any individual, or group of individuals, who own the property on which they plan to construct, alter, repair, improve, or remodel a building or structure. |
| Partnership |
PT |
A license that is issued to a group of individuals or companies. |
| Qualifier |
|
The individual who qualifies a license by demonstrating the necessary experience and knowledge for the classification. |
| Qualifying Individual |
|
The individual who meets the experience and examination requirements for a license. Every active license must have a designated qualifier. |
| Qualifying Partner |
QPT |
Title of the qualifying individual on a partnership license. |
| Reissue or Reassigned Date |
|
The date a license is reissued or reassigned. Under specific provisions of the Contractors License Law, a license may be reissued or reassigned. |
| Respondent |
|
A licensee or registrant responding to a complaint made to the CSLB. |
| Responsible Managing Employee |
RME |
Title of an employee who serves as the qualifying individual on a sole owner, partnership or corporate license. |
| Responsible Managing Officer |
RMO |
Title of an officer who serves as the qualifying individual on a corporate license. |
| Social Security Number |
SS# |
A social security number is required for licensure. |
| Sole Ownership |
|
A license that is issued to an individual. |
| Statement of Issues |
SOI |
A written statement that specifies statutes and rules that an applicant for licensure or registration is alleged to have violated. The purpose of a statement of issues is to initiate a hearing to determine whether a license will be issued or denied. |
| Sting |
|
Undercover operation where CSLB staff invites suspected unlicensed contractors to bid on jobs that ordinarily require licensure. When unlicensed individuals offer to perform work that requires a license, they are issued Notice to Appear misdemeanor citations and ordered to appear in municipal court. |
| Structural Defect |
|
According to California Code of Regulations (CCR) 861.5, a “structural” defect is defined as:
- A failure or probable failure in the load bearing portions of a structure; and,
- The failed portions were not constructed in compliance with the code (this requires a violation notice from the building official); and
- The failure or condition results in the inability to use the affected portion of the structure for the purpose for which it was intended.
Also see SB 800 effective January 1, 2003, for definitions of structural defect in new home construction. |
| Study Guide |
|
The topic areas of the CSLB licensing examination including sample examination questions and study resources. |
| Subject Matter Expert |
SME |
A licensed contractor in good standing who provides expertise and assistance in examination development for contractor licensing examinations. |
| Sweeps |
|
Operations by SWIFT Enforcement Representatives to verify license status of contractors working in a specific geographical area or construction sites. |
| SWIFT Unit |
SWIFT |
Statewide Investigative Fraud Team: Enforcement Representatives and Consumer Service Representatives who conduct special investigations and proactive non-licensee investigations. |
| Test Validation and Development Specialist |
TVDS |
The process during which the CSLB staff facilitates workshops with Subject Matter Experts to develop licensing examinations. |
| Trade Examination |
|
A written exam related to current trade practice that must be passed by all qualifying individuals. |
| Underground Economy |
|
A term used to describe businesses that use cash payment transactions to avoid employment taxes, workers compensation premiums and labor code regulations. |
| Undercover Operations/Stings |
|
Investigations by SWIFT representatives at a residential or commercial property to receive bids from unlicensed contractors and cite them. |
| Warning of a Violation |
|
Notification provided to an individual that there is a minor violation and that a future occurrence may result in a disciplinary action. |
| Workers’ Compensation |
|
Insurance required by all contractors who have employees. |
General Info