Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 553 - RULES OF STATE LICENSING BOARD FOR RESIDENTIAL AND GENERAL CONTRACTORS
Chapter 553-4 - QUALIFICATIONS FOR LICENSURE - GENERAL CONTRACTOR DIVISION
Rule 553-4-.01 - Licensure Requirements for an Individual to Practice as a General Contractor in the Individual's Own Name or Doing Business as an Individual in a Trade Name or as a Sole Proprietorship

Universal Citation: GA Rules and Regs r 553-4-.01

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through March 20, 2024

(1) An individual person seeking issuance of a Georgia license in his or her own name for purposes of engaging in the profession of general contracting in his or her own name or doing business as an individual in a trade name as a sole proprietorship shall file an application on a form provided by the general contractor division, accompanied by an application fee as provided by the board.

(2) Additionally, such applicants must submit to and successfully pass an examination approved by the general contractor division, except where an applicant is otherwise qualified for licensure and has satisfied the general contractor division requirements and regulations for licensure pursuant to Code Section 43-41-8exempting such applicant from the examination requirement.

(3) A person shall be eligible for licensure as a general contractor by the general contractor division if the person:

(a) Is at least 21 years of age;

(b) Is of a good character and is otherwise qualified as to competency, ability, and integrity, and financial responsibility; and

1. Has received a baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year college or university in the field of engineering, architecture, construction management, building construction, or other field acceptable to the division and has at least one year of proven experience working as or in the employment of a general contractor or other proven experience deemed substantially similar by the division;

2. Has a combination acceptable to the division of academic credits from any accredited college-level courses and proven practical experience working as or in the employment of a general contractor, or other proven experience deemed substantially similar by the division equaling at least four years in the aggregate. For purposes of this subparagraph, all university, college, junior college, or community college-level courses shall be considered accredited college-level courses; or

3. Has a total of at least four years of proven active experience working in a construction industry related field, at least two of which shall have been as or in the employment of a general contractor, or other proven experience deemed acceptable by the division and at least one of which shall have been in or relating to administration, marketing, accounting, estimating, drafting, engineering, supervision, or project management, or functions deemed substantially similar by the division.

(d) In order to satisfactorily prove (a), (b) and (c) above, each applicant must swear on the application for licensure that the applicant satisfies each requirement and submit satisfactory proof of such when and where directed to do so by the application. Applicants seeking to engage in general contracting shall affirm a minimum net worth in the amount of $150,000. Additionally, in completing the application and submitting it to the general contractor division, the applicant consents to the division performing a background check, including a criminal history, on the applicant if the division so chooses.

(4) Before being entitled to take an examination or otherwise qualify for issuance of a license, an applicant must show to the satisfaction of the general contractor division from the application and proofs furnished that the applicant is possessed of a good character and is otherwise qualified as to competency, ability, integrity, and financial responsibility. Much proof of this will come as detailed in (3)(d) above. Additionally, the application shall include a list of all persons, entities, and business organizations that the applicant will be affiliated with as a licensed general contractor, whether by way of employment, ownership, serving as an owner or director, partnership, or membership or by serving as a qualifying agent under this chapter. Additionally, all applicants shall provide satisfactory proof of general liability insurance in an amount not less than $500,000 and of workers´ compensation insurance as required by the laws of this state in their name. All applicants shall also provide their social security numbers. Applicants shall also provide suitable verification of tax payments in a form and manner and for the duration prescribed by the general contractor division. Such proof of verification shall be submitted by the applicant as directed by the application for licensure and any form(s) that might accompany the application. The decision of the general contractor division as to the qualifications of applicants shall be conclusive. A certificate by the insurer or other appropriate evidence of such coverages shall be maintained with the general contractor division and shall be a condition of renewal. A licensee, on his or her own behalf, must notify the general contractor division in writing within 30 days of any changes in the information required to be on file with such division, including, but not limited to, the licensee's current mailing address, insurance coverages, and affiliated entities.

(5)

(a) The general contractor division shall cause to be conducted an examination of all qualified applicants, except those exempted from the examination requirement pursuant to Code Section 43-41-8.

(b) The general contractor division shall cause to be conducted an examination to ascertain 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.

(c) If the results of the applicant's examination are satisfactory to the general contractor division, or he or she is exempted from the examination requirement under Code Section 43-41-8, and if he or she has met the other qualifications and requirements set forth in this Code section, then the general contractor division shall issue to the applicant a license to engage in business as a general contractor in this state, as provided in such license, in his or her own name as a sole proprietor, pursuant to and in accordance with the requirements set forth in Code Section 43-41-9.

(6) Any otherwise qualified applicant failing this examination may be reexamined at any regularly scheduled examination within one year of the date of original application upon payment of a reexamination fee, in an amount to be set by the board, without need to resubmit an application, unless any information set forth in the previously submitted application is no longer accurate or complete. Anyone requesting to take the examination a third or subsequent time shall wait at least one calendar year after the taking of the last examination and shall submit an application with the appropriate examination fees.

(7) A general contractor license shall be issued to an applicant who successfully completes the requirements therefore upon the payment of fees prescribed by the board.

O.C.G.A. §§ 43-41-5(a)(7), 43-41-6(a),(d),(e), 43-41-9.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Georgia may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.

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