Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 553 - RULES OF STATE LICENSING BOARD FOR RESIDENTIAL AND GENERAL CONTRACTORS
Chapter 553-2 - EXAMINATION EXEMPTION
Rule 553-2-.09 - Exemption from General Contracting Examination - Qualifying Agent Holding a General Contracting License from a Georgia Political Subdivision

To prove that an applicant who is applying for licensure as a qualifying agent for a business organization incorporated in Georgia or otherwise authorized and certified to transact business in Georgia holds a current and valid license to engage in general contracting issued to him or her by any governing authority of any political subdivision of this state, the applicant must cause to be submitted to the division a verification of licensure verifying such from that political subdivision. The verification of licensure will be on a form included with the application for examination exemption. Additionally, the verification of licensure shall show that the applicant passed an examination required by the governing authority, which examination is substantially similar to the state examination for general contractors, in order for the applicant to obtain the license from that governing authority. The division shall determine whether the examination[s] required by such governing authority of the political subdivisions in Georgia is substantially similar to the state examination for general contractors. In making such determination, the division shall ensure that the examination[s] of the local governing authorities at least satisfy the division examination's requirements for ascertaining the particular applicant's ability to make a practical application of his or her knowledge of the profession of commercial general contracting; the applicant's qualifications in reading plans and specifications; his or her knowledge of building codes, estimating costs, construction, ethics, contracting, and other similar matters pertaining to the general contracting business; his or her knowledge as to the responsibilities of a general contractor to the public and to owners, subcontractors, and suppliers; and his or her knowledge of the requirements of the laws of this state relating to general contractors, construction, workers' compensation, insurance, surety bonding, and liens. Additionally, the applicant must show that said corporation or business organization possesses a regular office and place of business in Georgia currently and that said corporation or business organization has had the office and place of business continuously for the five years immediately preceding the time of application. To satisfactorily prove this, the applicant must swear on the application for examination exemption that the corporation or business organization possesses a regular office and place of business in Georgia currently and that said corporation or business organization has had the office and place of business continuously for the five years immediately preceding the time of application. Additionally, the applicant must, as dictated by the application for examination exemption, also submit with the completed application for examination exemption an appropriate reference letter from a certified public accountant regarding said corporation's or business organization's location and duration in Georgia. The reference letter will be on a form included with the application for examination exemption and must be notarized. Moreover, as dictated by O.C.G.A. § 43-41-9(b), the applicant must submit, together with the application for examination exemption, a satisfactory affidavit signed by an authorized agent of the business organization who possesses binding authority for the business organization, on a form provided by the division, attesting that the individual applicant has final approval authority for all construction work performed by the business organization or entity and that the individual applicant has final approval authority on all business matters, including contracts and contract performance and financial affairs of the business organization or entity.

Authority O.C.G.A. Secs. 43-41-5, 43-41-8.