California Construction News staff writer
The California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) has completed a two-week series of coordinated stings and jobsite sweeps across the state, resulting in 119 legal actions targeting unlicensed contracting and illegal advertising in the construction industry.
The enforcement effort was part of a nationwide campaign organized by the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA) to curb unlicensed activity and protect both consumers and legitimate contractors.
“Nationwide enforcement operations such as the NASCLA coordinated enforcement effort are vital in educating consumers about the risks of not checking a contractor’s license and deterring unlicensed or unqualified practice,” said CSLB Registrar David Fogt. “It only takes a few seconds to verify a contractor’s license information on CSLB’s website.”
CSLB joined local law enforcement for three undercover sting operations in San Joaquin, Kern, and San Diego counties. Investigators contacted suspects through their advertisements, which under California law may only promote projects valued under $1,000 and must clearly state that the individual is not licensed. During the operations, suspected unlicensed contractors arrived at designated locations to bid on various construction projects, including demolition, fencing, flooring, painting, masonry, landscaping, solar installations, and kitchen and bathroom remodeling. Bids ranged from $1,000 to $46,000.
Nineteen administrative legal actions were filed, and 26 individuals will be referred to district attorney offices for potential prosecution for contracting without a license — a misdemeanor that can carry substantial fines and possible jail time. California law prohibits unlicensed contractors from bidding or performing any work that requires a building permit, uses employee labor, or exceeds $1,000 in combined labor and materials.
In addition to the sting operations, CSLB conducted 46 sweep operations across 17 counties, performing 454 site visits. The sweeps resulted in 28 cases referred to district attorneys, 9 licensee citations, 24 non-licensee citations, 13 Letters of Admonishment, 27 stop-work orders, and 99 advisory notices.
Several individuals were cited for requesting excessive down payments. California law caps down payments for home improvement projects at 10 percent of the total contract price or $1,000, whichever is less. Violations can result in up to six months in jail and/or fines of up to $5,000.
Unlicensed individuals cited during the operations were provided with information on how to obtain a license and were invited to CSLB’s Get Licensed to Build workshops. The CSLB emphasized that unlicensed contracting undermines legitimate businesses and exposes consumers to significant risks due to the lack of bonding, insurance, and verified qualifications.
For more information or to verify a contractor’s license, visit www.cslb.ca.gov or contact CSLB toll-free at 1-800-321-CSLB (2752).
