Term
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Definition
| A public written statement of charges CSLB has filed with the Office of the Attorney General that specifies statues and rules a contractor or home improvement salesperson is alleged to have violated. It may result in a hearing to determine whether alicensee has violated the law and whether the license should be revoked, suspended, and/or placed under some type of restriction by the Registrar. |
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Term
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Definition
| Contractor is licensed and able to perform work. |
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Term
| Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) |
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Definition
| The hearing officer provided by the Office of Administrative Hearings to decide CSLB disciplinary cases. |
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Term
| Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) |
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Definition
| A process to economically and efficiently resolve disputes outside of court, such as arbitration, mediation, conciliation, negotiation, etc. |
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Term
| Application Fee Number (App Fee) |
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Definition
| A unique number assigned to an application received by CSLB for which a fee has been paid. |
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Term
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Definition
| 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. |
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Term
| Asbestos Certification (ASB) |
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Definition
| The certification required by contractors who perform asbestos-related work. (Before performing any asbestos-related work, licensee also must be registered with the Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Occupational Safety and Health.) |
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Term
| Asbestos Open Book Examination |
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Definition
| A multiple-choice exam that must be completed by the qualifying individual prior to issuance or renewal of a license. |
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Term
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Definition
| The date a person is added to a license. |
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Term
| Office of the Attorney General (AG) |
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Definition
| The state agency that represents CSLB in administrative and some criminal matters before trial, appellate, and supreme courts. |
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Term
| Automated Phone Response System/Interactive Voice Response (APRS/IVR) |
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Definition
| An automated telephone system that contains prerecorded messages (Callers may check a license, order forms and pamphlet or transfer to call center staff.) |
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Term
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Definition
| Contractor is licensed and able to perform work. |
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Term
| Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) |
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Definition
| The hearing officer provided by the Office of Administrative Hearings to decide CSLB disciplinary cases. |
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Term
| Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) |
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Definition
| A process to economically and efficiently resolve disputes outside of court, such as arbitration, mediation, conciliation, negotiation, etc. |
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Term
| Application Fee Number (App Fee) |
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Definition
| A unique number assigned to an application received by CSLB for which a fee has been paid. |
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Term
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Definition
| 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. |
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Term
| Bond of Qualifying Individual (BQI) |
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Definition
| The bond required for the qualifying individual who is a responsible managing employee (RME) or is a responsible managing officer (RMO) who owns 10 percent or less of the voting stock/equity of the license entity. |
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Term
| Business and Professions Code (B&P) |
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Definition
| The state codes where California Contractors License Laws can be found. |
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Term
| California Code of Regulations (CCR) |
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Definition
| The code that includes CSLB rules and regulations. |
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Term
| California Licensed Contractor (CLC) |
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Definition
| A quarterly newsletter published by CSLB. |
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Term
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Definition
| Any of eight testing centers statewide where contractor examinations are given on computers. |
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Term
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Definition
| The Asbestos Abatement or Hazardous Substance Removal Certifications offered to licensed contractors who hold classifications directly related to this type of work. |
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Term
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Definition
| A certificate issued by a contractor's insurance company and submitted to CSLB as proof of workers' compensation insurance coverage. |
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Term
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Definition
| Usually refers to money damages sought through suit in civil court (small claims court, municipal court, superior court) |
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Term
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Definition
| Refers to the type of trade work a contractor may perform, for example, plumbing, electrical, etc. There are 43 license classifications. |
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Term
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Definition
| 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; violations of the Swimming Pool Act, etc.) |
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Term
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Definition
| Process approved by law that allows the board to make information available to the public about contractors with probable violations or a history of violations. |
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Term
| Computer Assisted Testing (CAT) |
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Definition
| Proficiency examinations given to contractor candidates on individual computers located at eight testing centers statewide. |
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Term
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Definition
| A bond required from all active licensees (consumers can claim against the bond for violations of the Contractors License Law by a licensee.) |
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Term
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Definition
| Contractors State License Board |
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Term
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Definition
| A license issued to a business or organization that is registered and in active status with the California Secretary of State. |
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Term
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Definition
| A misdemeanor or felony filing in which a contractor is charged with a violation of criminal law to punish violators by fine and/or imprisonment, to compel restitution and to deter (discourage) others from committing similar acts. |
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Term
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Definition
| A situation where the respondent fails to appear to provide a defense. |
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Term
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Definition
| The date a person is removed as a member of the personnel of a license. |
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Term
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Definition
| A bond that is required when disciplinary action has been taken against a license. |
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Term
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Definition
| The name under which a licensee will conduct business (Example: John Smith dba Smith Construction or ABC Associates Inc. dba ABC Construction Services.) |
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Term
| Enforcement Representative (ER) |
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Definition
| The staff that investigates complaints. |
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Term
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Definition
| The various types of businesses that can be licensed, such as sole owner (individual), partnership, corporation or joint venture. |
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Term
| Exemption from Worker's Compensation |
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Definition
| The form a contractor who does not hire employees must file with CSLB. |
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Term
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Definition
| A license that has not been renewed. |
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Term
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Definition
| The date the Web page is accessed for information. |
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Term
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Definition
| The term used when a candidate does not take a scheduled examination. |
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Term
| Hazardous Substances Removal Certification (HAZ) |
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Definition
| The certification required by contractors who perform hazardous substance removal and remedial action (Only contractors holding certain license classifications can obtain HAZ certification.? |
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Term
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Definition
| Home improvement means the repairing, remodeling, altering, converting, modernizing, or adding to, residential property land or structures. It also covers providing home improvement goods and services. |
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Term
| Home Improvement Salesperson (HIS) |
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Definition
| A person registered by CSLB and employed by a licensed contractor to solicit, sell, negotiate, or execute home improvement contracts |
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Term
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Definition
| The license status in which the contractor is still licensed but is not permitted to perform work. |
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Term
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Definition
| Licensed professionals recruited by the Board to inspect a job and render an opinion on specific items of a complaint. |
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Term
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Definition
| A court order requiring individuals and/or firms to stop doing certain acts on grounds these acts are against the law. |
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Term
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Definition
| The date a license originally was issued. |
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Term
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Definition
| 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.) |
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Term
| Law and Business Examination |
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Definition
| A written exam related to business and construction laws that must be passed by all qualifying individuals to become licensed. |
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Term
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Definition
| 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.) |
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Term
| Mandatory Settlement Conferences |
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Definition
| An informal meeting in which the contractor must participate to settle a complaint and avoid a formal hearing. |
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Term
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Definition
| A written document that alleges a violation of law by a non-licensee and usually includes an order to stop performing unlicensed work. |
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Term
| Non-Licensee Citation Settlements |
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Definition
| A settlement with CSLB for less than the original citation amount. |
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Term
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Definition
| The letter mailed to candidates informing them of the time, date, and location of their examination (A notice to appear also is used when a person is arrested for a misdemeanor and promises to appear in court rather than be taken in front of a magistrate.) |
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Term
| Occupational Analysis (OA) |
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Definition
| A description of current work performed by contractors (in terms of important tasks and knowledge) that is used to determine the content of licensing examinations. |
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Term
| Office of the Attorney General (AG) |
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Definition
| The state agency that represents CSLB in administrative and some criminal matters before trial, appellate, and supreme courts. |
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Term
| On-Site Negotiation Program (OSN) |
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Definition
| A program that brings together the complainant, the contractor, and an industry expert at the job site where CSLB's Enforcement Representative attempts to negotiate a resolution to a complaint. |
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Term
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Definition
| 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. |
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Term
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Definition
| A license that is issued to a group of individuals or companies. |
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Term
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Definition
| The individual who qualifies a licensee by demonstrating the necessary experience and knowledge for the classification. |
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Term
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Definition
| The individual who meets the experience and examination requirements for a license (every active license must have a designated qualifier.) |
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Term
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Definition
| Title of the qualifying individual on a partnership license. |
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Term
| Reissue or Reassigned Date |
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Definition
| The date a license is reissued or reassigned (under specific provisions of the Contractors License Law, a license may be reissued or reassigned.) |
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Term
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Definition
| A licensee or registrant responding to a complaint made to CSLB |
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Term
| Responsible Managing Employee (RME) |
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Definition
| Title of an employee who serves as the qualifying individual on a sole owner, partnership or corporate license. |
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Term
| Responsible Managing Officer (RMO) |
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Definition
| Title of an officer who serves as the qualifying individual on a corporate license. |
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Term
| Social Security Number (SSN/SS#) |
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Definition
| A Social Security number is required for becoming licensed. |
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Term
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Definition
| The type of license issued to an individual. |
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Term
| Statement of issues (SOI) |
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Definition
| A written statement that specifies statutes and rules that an applicant for licensure or registration is alleged to have violated (the purpose of a SOI is to initiate a hearing to determine whether a license will be issued or denied.) |
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Term
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Definition
| 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.) |
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Term
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Definition
According to California Code of Regulations (CCR) 861.5, a "structural" defect is defined as:
1. Failure or probable failure in the load bearing portions of a structure; and,
2. The failed portions were not constructed in compliance with the code (this requires a violation notice from the building official); and,
3. The failure or condition results in the inability to use the affected portion of the structure for the purpose for which it was intended. |
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Term
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Definition
| Sample examination questions and study resources of CSLB's various licensing examinations. |
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Term
| Subject Matter Expert (SME) |
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Definition
| A licensed contractor in good standing who provides expertise in examination development for contractor licensing examinations. |
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Term
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Definition
| Operations by SWIFT Enforcement Representatives to verify license status of contractors working in a specific geographical area or construction sites. |
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Term
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Definition
| Statewide Investigative Fraud Team: Enforcement Representatives and Consumer Service Representatives who conduct special investigations and proactive non-licensee investigations. |
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Term
| Test Validation and Development Specialist (TVDS) |
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Definition
| The process during which CSLB staff facilitates workshops with Subject Matter Experts to develop licensing examinations. |
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Term
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Definition
| A written exam related to current trade practice that must be passed by all qualifying individuals. |
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Term
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Definition
| An affadivit completed by translators/candidates requesting the use of a translator during an examination. |
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Term
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Definition
| A term used to describe businesses that use cash payment transactions to avoid employment taxes, worker's compensation insurance premiums and Labor Code Regulation. |
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Term
| Undercover Operation/Stings |
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Definition
| Investigations by SWIFT representatives at a residential or commercial property seeking bids from unlicensed contractors. |
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Term
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Definition
| Notification provided to an individual that there is a minor violation and that a future occurrence may result in a disciplinary action. |
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Term
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Definition
| Insurance required by all contractors who have employees (all C-39 Roofing Contractors must carry workers' compensation insurance.) |
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