Mixed Deck — All CSLB Topics Flashcards

Under California law, which entity must be notified before any excavation or digging begins near underground utilities?

Answer: Underground Service Alert (USA/811)

California law requires contractors to contact Underground Service Alert (USA/811) at least 2 working days before excavating to locate and mark underground utilities.

On California public works projects, a payment bond protects whom?

Answer: Subcontractors and material suppliers who are not paid

Payment bonds on public works protect unpaid subcontractors and material suppliers since public property cannot be liened.

A contractor's license becomes inactive if the licensee fails to:

Answer: Maintain required bond and workers' compensation insurance

A CSLB license becomes inactive when the required contractor's bond or workers' compensation certificate lapses.

Which California statute governs the rights and obligations related to mechanics' liens on construction projects?

Answer: California Civil Code §8000 et seq.

California Civil Code §8000 et seq. (the California Mechanics' Lien Law) governs the rights to file and enforce mechanics' liens.

What is the minimum distance workers must keep spoil piles from the edge of an excavation under Cal/OSHA rules?

Answer: 2 feet

Cal/OSHA requires spoil piles to be kept at least 2 feet from the edge of an excavation to prevent material from falling in.

Under California prevailing wage law, which types of projects require contractors to pay workers prevailing wage rates?

Answer: Public works projects over the applicable dollar threshold funded with public money

California's prevailing wage law requires prevailing wages on public works projects — those funded in whole or part with public money — above the statutory threshold.

Under California law, a mechanics' lien must be enforced by filing a lawsuit within how many days of recording the lien?

Answer: 90 days

A mechanics' lien becomes unenforceable unless a lawsuit to foreclose the lien is filed in court within 90 days of recording.

What type of California contractor license is required to construct highways, roads, bridges, and other engineering works?

Answer: Class A - General Engineering Contractor

Class A - General Engineering Contractor is required for projects involving fixed works requiring specialized engineering knowledge.

What does the 'doctrine of substantial performance' allow a contractor to do in California?

Answer: Recover payment even if minor defects exist, subject to offset

Substantial performance allows a contractor to recover payment when work is nearly complete, with the owner receiving a deduction for uncorrected deficiencies.

A contractor hired to remove underground fuel tanks at a former gas station in California most likely needs which permit or program enrollment before beginning work?

Answer: A Unified Program Facility Permit and enrollment under California's UST Program

UST removal in California requires enrollment under the state's UST Program administered through the Unified Program, which consolidates multiple environmental permit requirements.

How many years of journey-level experience are generally required to qualify for a CSLB contractor's license?

Answer: 4 years

CSLB requires applicants to demonstrate at least 4 years of journey-level experience in the trade within the past 10 years.

What exam must applicants pass to obtain a CSLB contractor's license?

Answer: Both a trade knowledge exam and a law and business exam

CSLB applicants must pass both the trade-specific knowledge examination and the law and business examination to obtain a license.

In the context of construction stormwater management, what does 'Best Management Practice' (BMP) refer to?

Answer: Techniques and controls used to prevent or reduce pollutant discharge from construction sites

BMPs are schedules, activities, prohibitions, maintenance procedures, and practices designed to prevent or reduce pollutants from entering stormwater at construction sites.

Under Cal/OSHA regulations, what is the maximum penalty for a 'willful or repeat' safety violation?

Answer: $156,259

Cal/OSHA can impose penalties up to $156,259 (indexed for inflation) for willful or repeat violations of safety regulations.

When must a California contractor provide the 'Three-Day Right to Cancel' notice to a homeowner?

Answer: At the time of signing the home improvement contract

California law requires contractors to provide the Three-Day Right to Cancel notice at the time the home improvement contract is signed.

Which of the following is NOT a valid exemption from California contractor licensing requirements?

Answer: Sole proprietor with only two employees

Being a sole proprietor with few employees does not exempt a contractor from CSLB licensing — the $500 threshold and owner-builder exemptions apply, but not business size.

What does a 'stop payment notice' allow a subcontractor to do on a California construction project?

Answer: Freeze construction loan funds held by the lender

A stop payment notice allows a subcontractor to freeze construction loan proceeds held by a lender to secure payment for unpaid work.

What type of certification must California individual electricians obtain to legally perform electrical work, separate from the contractor's license?

Answer: Electrician Certification from the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement

Individual electricians in California must hold an Electrician Certification from the DIR's Division of Labor Standards Enforcement to legally perform electrical work.

Which PPE is required for all workers where there is a risk of head injury from falling objects on California construction sites?

Answer: Hard hat (safety helmet)

Cal/OSHA mandates hard hats wherever there is a danger of head injury from falling or flying objects on construction sites.

California's 'prompt payment' law for private construction projects requires contractors to pay subcontractors within how many days of receiving payment from the owner?

Answer: 10 days

Under California Civil Code Section 8934, general contractors must pay subcontractors within 10 days of receiving payment from the project owner.