NEVADA LEGISLATURE CREATES NEW RESTRICTED “HANDYMAN” LICENSE
If you are not a licensed contractor in the State of Nevada and work as a handyman under the “handyman exemption” limiting your work to under $1,000, you should consider applying for the new B-7 license, so you can legally take on larger jobs.
The Nevada State Legislature Recently Adopted Senate Bill 130
The Nevada State Legislature recently adopted Senate Bill 130, which provides for a restricted B-7 license. This provision allows the holder of a B-7 restricted license to perform the remodeling and improvement of an existing, detached, stand-alone single-family residence or single-family residential unit within a structure that does not extend more than three stories above the ground and one story below the ground. However, the work cannot increase the enclosed square footage of the structure.
To qualify for this new restricted license the applicant must pay an application fee and provide proof of not less than 2 years experience in a trade or a particular classification. Alternatively, the applicant can provide proof of training in a program which is offered at an accredited college or university, apprenticeship or equivalent program accepted by the Contractors Board, or completion of any other program acceptable to the Contractors Board. There is also a requirement that the applicant complete a course in business counseling or similar curriculum within the year immediately preceding the date of the application.
One significant change is that holder of a restricted license is now allowed to enter into a contract for a construction project that involves one or more building trades or crafts that the Contractors Board may determine to be appropriate. However, the are still certain exclusions that are set forth in NRS 624.031 concerning Life/Safety Trades such as electrical, mechanical and plumbing.
In Addition To The Substantially Lower Qualifying Requirement of Just Two Years
In addition to the substantially lower qualifying requirement of just two years experience is the provision that the monetary limit of the B-7 restricted licence is no longer capped at $1,000, like the unlicensed “handyman exemption.” Instead, the new provision provides for the monetary cap to be not less than $7,000, but can potentially be greater if approved by the Contractors Board. Further, the license is renewable after two years and at the end of the two year period the licensee may even apply for a license that is not restricted if they are not the subject of any open or unresolved complaints.
Applicant Will Not Be Required To Submit A Financial Statement
Perhaps one of the most beneficial parts of the legislation is the fact that an applicant will not be required to submit a financial statement prepared by a certified public account pursuant to NRS 624.263 or 624.264. In many instances, this has represented a significant obstacle to many applicants attempting to obtain a similar license. However, as with all licenses, the licensee will be required to file a surety bond or cash deposit with the Board, which cannot be less than $2,000.
Finally, many of the other statutory provisions that apply to non-restricted licenses do not apply to a restricted license issued by the Contractors Board.
A substantial portion of The Wright Law Group’s practice involves representing clients before the Nevada State Contractors Board. This includes not only representing the client to address potential disciplinary matters, but also the navigation of the various licensing regulations set in place by the Contractors Board, which can sometime seem insurmountable. The Wright Law Group has decades of experience representing contractors and other parties before the Contractors Board. We are uniquely qualified to assist you handling all of your needs. You can contact us as 702-405-0001.