How Criminal Convictions Affect "Contractors Licenses" In California

Building contractors in California risk having their license suspended or revoked for committing an offense “substantially related” to contracting activities. This typically includes crimes of fraud, theft, or violence.

Likewise, people applying for a contractors’ license may get rejected for having committed a crime within the last seven (7) years that was substantially related to contracting. And the Contractors State License Board may reject applicants for having committed either of the following offenses even if more than seven (7) years have passed:

a serious offense (such as murder, rape, or grand theft),
a sex offense which requires Tier II or Tier III registration, or
a financial felony related to contracting

If you suffer a criminal conviction, your freedom is at stake. But so is the contracting career you worked so hard to develop.

Our California Criminal Defense Lawyers might be able to help.¹ We are former cops and prosecutors who now represent people accused of crimes. We also help California professionals (including contractors) resolve license discipline issues.

We work throughout California and handle all kinds of felony and misdemeanor cases, including fraud, DUI and Penal Code 187 PC – murder.

In this article, our lawyers discuss the impact of criminal convictions on contractors’ licenses. We cover:

If you have further questions after reading this article, we invite you to contact us at Shouse Law Group for a consultation.

california general contractor cslb regulation

Building contractors in California risk having their license suspended or revoked for committing an offense “substantially related” to contracting activities

1. Who regulates contractors in California?

The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) regulates Engineering Contractors, General Building Contractors and Specialty Contractors in California. CSLB has a 15-member board and an executive officer called the Registrar of Contractors.

Housed within the California Department of Consumer Affairs, CSLB has a mission to protect building industry customers from unscrupulous, irresponsible and dangerous contractors.

The agency administers the Contractors’ State License Law and related administrative regulations.²

CSLB licenses over 300,000 contractors in 43 classification categories such as Concrete Contractors, Parking and Highway Improvement Contractors and Swimming Pool Contractors.

Under California Business & Professions Code 7028, contracting without a license is a misdemeanor crime.

2. Can I become a contractor in California if I have a criminal conviction? (7-year rule)

It depends…

The CSLB may generally grant licenses to applicants with a criminal conviction within the past seven (7) as long as the offense is not substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of being a contractor. (Scroll down to the third question for more information on what qualifies as “substantially related.”)

The CSLB generally does not deny licenses to applicants with a conviction from more than seven (7) years ago if the applicant successfully finished all the sentencing terms (such as paying fines or doing community service, etc.). But there are exceptions to this “seven-year rule”:

The CSLB may still deny licenses to aspiring contractors who have been convicted at any time for either of the following serious offenses:

a crime which mandates Tier II or Tier III sex offender registration;
a felony financial crime that is directly and adversely related to the fiduciary qualifications, functions, or duties of contracting; or
a serious felony, as defined in Section 1192.7 of the Penal Code, which includes:

murder or voluntary manslaughter;

attempted murder;

kidnapping;

mayhem;

rape;

commission of rape or sexual penetration in concert with another person, in violation of Section 264.1;

sodomy by force, violence, duress, menace, threat of great bodily injury, or fear of immediate and unlawful bodily injury on the victim or another person;

oral copulation by force, violence, duress, menace, threat of great bodily injury, or fear of immediate and unlawful bodily injury on the victim or another person;

lewd or lascivious act on a child under 14 years of age;

any felony punishable by death or imprisonment in the state prison for life;

any felony in which the defendant personally inflicts great bodily injury on any person, other than an accomplice, or any felony in which the defendant personally uses a firearm;

assault with intent to commit rape or robbery;

assault with a deadly weapon or instrument on a peace officer;

assault by a life prisoner on a noninmate;

assault with a deadly weapon by an inmate;

assault with the intent to commit mayhem, rape, sodomy, or oral copulation, in violation of Section 220;

assault with a deadly weapon, firearm, machine gun, assault weapon, or semiautomatic firearm or assault on a peace officer or firefighter, in violation of Section 245;

assault with a deadly weapon against a public transit employee, custodial officer, or school employee, in violation of Sections 245.2, 245.3, or 245.5;

arson;

exploding a destructive device or any explosive with intent to injure;

exploding a destructive device or any explosive causing bodily injury, great bodily injury, or mayhem;

exploding a destructive device or any explosive with intent to murder;

any burglary of the first degree;

robbery or bank robbery;

grand theft involving a firearm;

holding of a hostage by a person confined in a state prison;

attempt to commit a felony punishable by death or imprisonment in the state prison for life;

any felony in which the defendant personally used a dangerous or deadly weapon;

selling, furnishing, administering, giving, or offering to sell, furnish, administer, or give to a minor any heroin, cocaine, phencyclidine (PCP), or any methamphetamine-related drug, as described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 11055 of the Health and Safety Code, or any of the precursors of methamphetamines, as described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 11055 or subdivision (a) of Section 11100 of the Health and Safety Code;

any violation of subdivision (a) of Section 289 where the act is accomplished against the victim’s will by force, violence, duress, menace, or fear of immediate and unlawful bodily injury on the victim or another person;

carjacking; (28) any felony offense, which would also constitute a felony violation of Section 186.22;

shooting from a vehicle, in violation of subdivision (c) or (d) of Section 12034;

throwing acid or flammable substances, in violation of Section 244;

discharge of a firearm at an inhabited dwelling, vehicle, or aircraft, in violation of Section 246;

continuous sexual abuse of a child, in violation of Section 288.5;

intimidation of victims or witnesses, in violation of Section 136.1;

criminal threats, in violation of Section 422;

any attempt to commit a crime listed in this subdivision other than an assault;

any violation of Section 12022.53;

a violation of subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 11418; and

any conspiracy to commit an offense described in this subdivision.

Applicants denied a contractors’ license have the right to appeal the CSLB’s decision.³

building contractor drunk selfie

A conviction must be “substantially related” to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a contractor to trigger CSLB discipline

3. Can criminal convictions trigger CSLB discipline?

Just as contractors can be disciplined for misconduct like willful violation of trade standards and breaking contracts, builders face license suspension or revocation for suffering certain kinds of criminal convictions.

Not just any conviction counts. The conviction must be “substantially related” to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a contractor to trigger CSLB discipline.⁴

If you are a new applicant, a past criminal conviction can preclude or hold up your ability to get a contractors’ license. Regulations now require applicant fingerprinting and background checks.

3.1 “Substantial related” convictions

Generally speaking, a “substantially related” conviction is a conviction for a crime that implicates a contractor’s ability to perform contracting work in a safe and responsible manner.

For example:

violations of the Contractors’ State License Law
crimes involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or theft
crimes involving physical violence against persons
crimes that indicate a substantial or repeated disregard for the health, safety, or welfare of the public.⁵
violations of California Penal Code Section 396 (taking advantage of the public during emergencies like earthquakes or fires)⁶

When in doubt, it is always a good idea to check with a knowledgeable attorney about the circumstances of your particular case to determine whether it might be substantially related to contracting work.

3.2. Definition of conviction

Convictions include felony and misdemeanor convictions secured through guilty pleas and verdicts, no contest pleas and even expunged criminal records.

A felony is generally defined as an offense punishable by state prison or death. Other offenses (which are not infractions) are misdemeanors.⁷

The Registrar can act with respect to a conviction when the time for appeal has passed, the judgment of conviction has been affirmed on appeal, or an order granting probation is made suspending imposition of sentence.⁸

3.3. Importance of rehabilitation

The idea of rehabilitation — the notion that people can move past their crimes — is important in contractor license discipline and license denial cases based on criminal convictions. Just because someone went through a bad patch in the past does not mean that a person is unfit to do contracting work today.

The Registrar will consider a number of factors in determining whether a contractor or applicant has been rehabilitated from his or her crime, including the time that has elapsed since the conviction.

In general, a contractor may be considered rehabilitated:

for substantially related felony convictions, 7 years from the time of release from incarceration or completion of probation (if no incarceration was imposed) so long as there has not been any additional criminal activity
for substantially related misdemeanor convictions, 3 years from the time of release from incarceration or completion of probation (if no incarceration was imposed) so long as there has not been any additional criminal activity

CSLB will also consider the following:

nature and severity of the crime
evidence of any subsequent crime
compliance with parole, probation or restitution terms
consistent work history subsequent to release from incarceration or completion of probation
letters of reference
evidence of expungement proceedings
substance abuse counseling
anger management counseling⁹

3.4. Disciplinary bonds

A criminal conviction could end up costing you. Contractors are required to post a disciplinary bond of at least $15,000 in connection with license restoration following discipline.¹⁰

The disciplinary bond is in addition to other bonds required by law.

4. Can I fight for my license?

You have worked hard for your contractors’ license and CSLB cannot just take it away or deny it without giving you the opportunity to challenge things.

There are different avenues you can take in fighting for your license.

First of all, you (or your attorney) might be able to negotiate a deal that avoids a contractors’ license suspension.

If that does not work out, you can have a hearing before an administrative law judge. The hearing is like a mini-trial, where you will be able to introduce evidence and cross-examine witnesses.

We discuss the hearing process in more detail in our related article on Administrative Hearings.

Even if you end up losing your license, eventually you will be able to petition CSLB for reinstatement.¹¹

The important thing to remember is that you have options. An experienced attorney can help you build your defense and construct a pathway out of the debris that comes with an unfortunate run-in with the law.

Lawyers have tools, too. We can use our tools to help you keep yours.

Our California Criminal Defense Lawyers Can Help.

If you or a loved one is charged with a crime and is a contractor and you are looking to hire an attorney for representation, we invite you to contact us at Shouse Law Group. We can provide a free consultation in office or by phone. We have local offices in Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley, Pasadena, Long Beach, Orange County, Ventura, San Bernardino, Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside, San Diego, Sacramento, Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose and throughout California.

You also might be interested in reading our related articles Doctor License Revocation, Nurse License Revocation, Dentist License Revocation, Accountant License Revocation, Attorney License Revocation, Teacher License Revocation, Social Worker License Revocation, Real Estate Agent License Revocation, Convictions and State Civil Service Employees, and Police Officer Defense.

Plus we have a wide array of articles on criminal law topics including Common Crimes from A to Z, Domestic Violence and California Gun Laws.

Licensed in Colorado? See our article on Colorado contractor license and disciplinary action laws.

Licensed in Nevada? See our article on Nevada contractor license and disciplinary action laws.

Helpful links:

Contractors State License Board

California Department of Consumer Affairs

California Office of Administrative Hearings

References:

Our California Criminal Defense Lawyers have local Los Angeles law offices in Beverly Hills, Burbank, Glendale, Lancaster, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Pomona, Torrance, Van Nuys, West Covina and Whittier. We have additional law offices conveniently located throughout the state in Orange County, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, San Jose, Oakland, the San Francisco Bay area, and several nearby cities.
See California Business and Professions Code Section 7000 et seq; California Code of Regulations Title 16, Division 8 (Contractors’ State License Board). California Bus. & Prof. Code 7000.6 provides: “Protection of the public shall be the highest priority for the Contractors’ State License Board in exercising its licensing, regulatory, and disciplinary functions. Whenever the protection of the public is inconsistent with other interests sought to be promoted, the protection of the public shall be paramount.”
California Business and Professions Code Section 480; California Assembly Bill 2138 (2018).
California Business and Professions Code Section 7123 provides: “A conviction of a crime substantially related to the qualifications, functions and duties of a contractor constitutes a cause for disciplinary action. The record of the conviction shall be conclusive evidence thereof.” SEE ALSO California Business and Professions Code Section 490, which provides: “(a) In addition to any other action that a board is permitted to take against a licensee, a board may suspend or revoke a license on the ground that the licensee has been convicted of a crime, if the crime is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of the business or profession for which the license was issued. (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a board may exercise any authority to discipline a licensee for conviction of a crime that is independent of the authority granted under subdivision (a) only if the crime is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of the business or profession for which the licensee’s license was issued. (c) A conviction within the meaning of this section means a plea or verdict of guilty or a conviction following a plea of nolo contendere. An action that a board is permitted to take following the establishment of a conviction may be taken when the time for appeal has elapsed, or the judgment of conviction has been affirmed on appeal, or when an order granting probation is made suspending the imposition of sentence, irrespective of a subsequent order under Section 1203.4 of the Penal Code. (d) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the application of this section has been made unclear by the holding in Petropoulos v. Department of Real Estate (2006) 142 Cal.App.4th 554, and that the holding in that case has placed a significant number of statutes and regulations in question, resulting in potential harm to the consumers of California from licensees who have been convicted of crimes. Therefore, the Legislature finds and declares that this section establishes an independent basis for a board to impose discipline upon a licensee, and that the amendments to this section made by Chapter 33 of the Statutes of 2008 do not constitute a change to, but rather are declaratory of, existing law.”
16 Cal Code Regs 868 provides: “For the purposes of denial, suspension, or revocation of a license pursuant to Division 1.5 (commencing with Section 475) of the code, a crime or act, as defined in Section 480 of the code, shall be considered to be substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a licensee (under Division 3, Chapter 9 of the code) if it evidences present or potential unfitness of an applicant or licensee to perform the functions authorized by the license in a manner consistent with the public health, safety, and welfare. The crimes or acts shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (a) Any violation of the provisions of Chapter 9 of Division 3 of the code. (b) Failure to comply with the provisions of the California Administrative Code, Chapter 8, Title 16. (c) Crimes or acts involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or theft with the intent to substantially benefit oneself or another or to substantially harm another. (d) Crimes or acts involving physical violence against persons.(e) Crimes or acts that indicate a substantial or repeated disregard for the health, safety, or welfare of the public.”
California Business and Professions Code Section 7123.5 provides: “If a contractor is convicted of violating Section 396 of the Penal Code or any substantially similar local ordinance in connection with the sale, or offer for sale, of repair or reconstruction services, as defined in Section 396 of the Penal Code, the Contractors’ State License Board shall take disciplinary action against the contractor, which shall include a suspension of at least six months or the permanent revocation of the contractor’s license.”
California Penal Code Section 17 provides: “(a) A felony is a crime that is punishable with death, by imprisonment in the state prison, or notwithstanding any other provision of law, by imprisonment in a county jail under the provisions of subdivision (h) of Section 1170. Every other crime or public offense is a misdemeanor except those offenses that are classified as infractions. (b) When a crime is punishable, in the discretion of the court, either by imprisonment in the state prison or imprisonment in a county jail under the provisions of subdivision (h) of Section 1170, or by fine or imprisonment in the county jail, it is a misdemeanor for all purposes under the following circumstances: (1) After a judgment imposing a punishment other than imprisonment in the state prison or imprisonment in a county jail under the provisions of subdivision (h) of Section 1170. (2) When the court, upon committing the defendant to the Division of Juvenile Justice, designates the offense to be a misdemeanor. (3) When the court grants probation to a defendant without imposition of sentence and at the time of granting probation, or on application of the defendant or probation officer thereafter, the court declares the offense to be a misdemeanor. (4) When the prosecuting attorney files in a court having jurisdiction over misdemeanor offenses a complaint specifying that the offense is a misdemeanor, unless the defendant at the time of his or her arraignment or plea objects to the offense being made a misdemeanor, in which event the complaint shall be amended to charge the felony and the case shall proceed on the felony complaint. (5) When, at or before the preliminary examination or prior to filing an order pursuant to Section 872, the magistrate determines that the offense is a misdemeanor, in which event the case shall proceed as if the defendant had been arraigned on a misdemeanor complaint. (c) When a defendant is committed to the Division of Juvenile Justice for a crime punishable, in the discretion of the court, either by imprisonment in the state prison or imprisonment in a county jail under the provisions of subdivision (h) of Section 1170, or by fine or imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding one year, the offense shall, upon the discharge of the defendant from the Division of Juvenile Justice, thereafter be deemed a misdemeanor for all purposes. (d) A violation of any code section listed in Section 19.8 is an infraction subject to the procedures described in Sections 19.6 and 19.7 when: (1) The prosecutor files a complaint charging the offense as an infraction unless the defendant, at the time he or she is arraigned, after being informed of his or her rights, elects to have the case proceed as a misdemeanor, or; (2) The court, with the consent of the defendant, determines that the offense is an infraction in which event the case shall proceed as if the defendant had been arraigned on an infraction complaint. (e) Nothing in this section authorizes a judge to relieve a defendant of the duty to register as a sex offender pursuant to Section 290 if the defendant is charged with an offense for which registration as a sex offender is required pursuant to Section 290, and for which the trier of fact has found the defendant guilty.”
California Business and Professions Code Section 7124 provides: “A plea or verdict of guilty or a conviction following a plea of nolo contendere is deemed to be a conviction within the meaning of this article. The board may order the license suspended or revoked, or may decline to issue a license, when the time for appeal has elapsed, or the judgment of conviction has been affirmed on appeal or when an order granting probation is made suspending the imposition of sentence, irrespective of a subsequent order under the provisions of Section 1203.4 of the Penal Code allowing such person to withdraw his plea of guilty and to enter a plea of not guilty, or setting aside the verdict of guilty, or dismissing the accusation, information or indictment.” SEE ALSO California Business and Professions Code Section 7.5, which provides: “A conviction within the meaning of this code means a plea or verdict of guilty or a conviction following a plea of nolo contendere. Any action which a board is permitted to take following the establishment of a conviction may be taken when the time for appeal has elapsed, or the judgment of conviction has been affirmed on appeal or when an order granting probation is made suspending the imposition of sentence, irrespective of a subsequent order under the provisions of Section 1203.4 of the Penal Code. However, a board may not deny a license to an applicant who is otherwise qualified pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 480. Nothing in this section shall apply to the licensure of persons pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 6000) of Division 3.” The referenced California Business and Professions Code Section 480 deals with license denials and provides: “(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, a board may deny a license regulated by this code on the grounds that the applicant has been convicted of a crime or has been subject to formal discipline only if either of the following conditions are met: (1) The applicant has been convicted of a crime within the preceding seven years from the date of application that is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of the business or profession for which the application is made, regardless of whether the applicant was incarcerated for that crime, or the applicant has been convicted of a crime that is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of the business or profession for which the application is made and for which the applicant is presently incarcerated or for which the applicant was released from incarceration within the preceding seven years from the date of application. However, the preceding seven-year limitation shall not apply in either of the following situations: (A) The applicant was convicted of a serious felony, as defined in Section 1192.7 of the Penal Code or a crime for which registration is required pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) of subdivision (d) of Section 290 of the Penal Code. (B) The applicant was convicted of a financial crime currently classified as a felony that is directly and adversely related to the fiduciary qualifications, functions, or duties of the business or profession for which the application is made, pursuant to regulations adopted by the board, and for which the applicant is seeking licensure under any of the following: (i) Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 5000) of Division 3. (ii) Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 6500) of Division 3. (iii) Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 7000) of Division 3. (iv) Chapter 11.3 (commencing with Section 7512) of Division 3. (v) Licensure as a funeral director or cemetery manager under Chapter 12 (commencing with Section 7600) of Division 3. (vi) Division 4 (commencing with Section 10000). (2) The applicant has been subjected to formal discipline by a licensing board in or outside California within the preceding seven years from the date of application based on professional misconduct that would have been cause for discipline before the board for which the present application is made and that is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of the business or profession for which the present application is made. However, prior disciplinary action by a licensing board within the preceding seven years shall not be the basis for denial of a license if the basis for that disciplinary action was a conviction that has been dismissed pursuant to Section 1203.4, 1203.4a, 1203.41, or 1203.42 of the Penal Code or a comparable dismissal or expungement.”
16 Cal Code Regs 869 provides: “(a) When considering the denial, suspension, or revocation of a license pursuant to Division 1.5 (commencing with Section 475) of the code, the Board in evaluating the applicant’s or licensee’s rehabilitation and present eligibility for a license will consider the following criteria: (1) Subject to the provisions of subsection (a)(2), an applicant or licensee may be determined to be rehabilitated if he or she meets the following criteria: (A) For felony convictions that are substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a licensee as defined in Section 868, seven (7) years have passed from the time of release from incarceration or completion of probation if no incarceration was imposed, without the occurrence of additional criminal activity or substantially-related acts. (B) For misdemeanor convictions that are substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a licensee as defined in Section 868, three (3) years have passed from the time of release from incarceration or completion of probation if no incarceration was imposed, without the occurrence of additional criminal activity or substantially-related acts. (C) For acts that are substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a licensee as defined in Section 868, three (3) years have passed from the time of commission of the act(s), without the occurrence of criminal activity or additional substantially-related acts. (2) The amount of time needed to demonstrate rehabilitation under subsection (a)(1) may be increased or decreased by taking into account the following: (A) The nature and severity of the crime(s) or act(s) that are under consideration as, or that were, the grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation. (B) Evidence of any crime(s) or act(s) committed subsequent to the crime(s) or act(s) that are under consideration as, or that were, the grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation, which also could be considered as grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation. (C) The time that has elapsed since commission of the crime(s) or act(s) that are under consideration as, or that were, the grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation. (D) The extent to which the applicant or licensee has complied with any terms of parole, probation, restitution, or any other sanctions lawfully imposed against the applicant or licensee. (E) Consistent work history subsequent to the release from incarceration, or the completion of probation if no incarceration was imposed, or subsequent to the time of commission of the act(s). (F) Documents or testimony from credible individuals who have personal knowledge of the applicant’s or licensee’s life and activities subsequent to the time of commission of the crime(s) or act(s) who can attest to the applicant’s or licensee’s present fitness for licensure. (G) If applicable, evidence of expungement proceedings pursuant to Section 1203.4 of the Penal Code. (H) Other relevant evidence, if any, of rehabilitation submitted by the applicant or licensee. For example, relevant evidence may include evidence of recovery from drug and/or alcohol addiction or abuse or completion of a drug and/or alcohol aversion program if the crime(s) or act(s) related to or involved drug and/or alcohol use; or evidence of completion of an anger management program if the crime(s) or act(s) demonstrated the applicant’s or licensee’s inability to control one’s temper. (b) When considering a petition for reinstatement of the license of a contractor, the Board shall evaluate evidence of rehabilitation submitted by the petitioner, considering those criteria specified in subsection (a).”
California Business and Professions Code Section 7071.8 provides: “(a) This section applies to an application for a license, for renewal or restoration of a license, an application to change officers or members of a corporation or a limited liability company, or for continued valid use of a license which has been disciplined, whether or not the disciplinary action has been stayed, made by any of the following persons or firms: (1) A person whose license has been suspended or revoked as a result of disciplinary action, or a person who was a qualifying individual for a licensee at any time during which cause for disciplinary action occurred resulting in suspension or revocation of the licensee’s license, whether or not the qualifying individual had knowledge or participated in the prohibited act or omission. (2) A person who was an officer, director, manager, partner, or member of the personnel of record of a licensee at any time during which cause for disciplinary action occurred resulting in suspension or revocation of the licensee’s license and who had knowledge of or participated in the act or omission which was the cause for the disciplinary action. (3) A partnership, corporation, limited liability company, firm, or association of which an existing or new officer, director, manager, partner, qualifying person, or member of the personnel of record has had a license suspended or revoked as a result of disciplinary action. (4) A partnership, corporation, limited liability company, firm, or association of which a member of the personnel of record, including, but not limited to, an officer, director, manager, partner, or qualifying person was, likewise, a manager, officer, director, or partner of a licensee at any time during which cause for disciplinary action occurred resulting in suspension or revocation of the license, and who had knowledge of or participated in the act or omission which was the cause for the disciplinary action. (b) The board shall require as a condition precedent to the issuance, reissuance, renewal, or restoration of a license to the applicant, or to the approval of an application to change officers of a corporation or a limited liability company, or removal of suspension, or to the continued valid use of a license which has been suspended or revoked, but which suspension or revocation has been stayed, that the applicant or licensee file or have on file a contractor’s bond in a sum to be fixed by the registrar based upon the seriousness of the violation, but which sum shall not be less than fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) nor more than 10 times that amount required by Section 7071.6. (c) The bond is in addition to, may not be combined with, and does not replace any other type of bond required by this chapter. The bond shall remain on file with the registrar for a period of at least two years and for any additional time that the registrar determines. The bond period shall run only while the license is current, active, and in good standing, and shall be extended until the license has been current, active, and in good standing for the required period. Each applicant or licensee shall be required to file only one disciplinary contractor’s bond of the type described in this section for each application or license subject to this bond requirement..”
16 Cal Code Regs 870 provides: “(a) The Registar shall have exclusive authority in setting the earliest date a revoked licensee may reapply for reissuance or reinstatement of a license. (b) When extending the minimum one year period, the Registrar shall give due consideration to the gravity of the violation, the history of previous violations and criminal convictions and evaluate the application based on the following criteria: Reapplication Dates: 5 years License has been revoked: (1) one or more times or (2) for committing fraudulent acts or (3) committing acts which have seriously endangered the public welfare and safety or (4) for being convicted of a construction-related crime. (For the purposes of determining if a crime is construction-related, CCR Title 16, Chapter 8, Section 868 shall apply.) 4 years License has been revoked: (1) for committing violations on multiple construction projects; or (2) for committing multiple violations of law for reasons other than fraud, danger to the public welfare and safety and for conviction of a construction-related crime. 3 years License has been revoked and revoked licensee: (1) has been issued more than one citation which has become final within one year immediately preceding the date of revocation or (2) has been previously suspended by the Register as the result of a disciplinary action. 2 years License has been revoked and revoked licensee has been issued a citation, which has become final within one year immediately preceding the date of revocation. 1 year Licensee has been revoked for the first time and revoked licensee has no previous legal action history with the Board.”