Sec 32-1122. Qualifications for license

A. A contractor's license shall be issued only by act of the registrar of contractors. The registrar shall:

1. Classify and qualify applicants for a license.

2. If necessary, change the license classification of a licensee in the case of a title reclassification, with or without a bond rider for the purpose of continuing liability on the bond.

3. Conduct investigations the registrar deems necessary.

4. Establish written examinations if deemed necessary to protect the health and safety of the public.

B. To obtain or renew a license under this chapter, the applicant shall:

1. Submit to the registrar of contractors a verified application on forms that are prescribed by the registrar of contractors and that contain the following information and shall advise the registrar of any change in the information within thirty days:

(a) A designation of the classification of license that is sought by the applicant.

(b) If the applicant is an individual, the applicant's name and address.

(c) If the applicant is a partnership, the names and addresses of all partners with a designation of any limited partners.

(d) If the applicant is a corporation, an association or any other organization, the names and addresses of the president, vice-president, if any, secretary and treasurer or the names and addresses of the functional equivalent of these officers, the directors and the owners of twenty-five percent or more of the stock or beneficial interest.

(e) The name and address of the qualifying party.

(f) If the applicant is a corporation, evidence that the corporation is in good standing with the corporation commission.

(g) The address or location of the applicant's place of business and the mailing address if it is different from the applicant's place of business.

(h) Proof that the applicant has complied with the statutes or rules governing workers' compensation insurance.

2. Submit the appropriate bond and fee required under this chapter.

C. To obtain a contractor's license under this chapter other than a residential contractor's license, the applicant shall submit a detailed statement of current financial condition containing information required by the registrar of contractors on a form furnished by or acceptable to the registrar of contractors. Notwithstanding any other law, a swimming pool contractor shall also submit a detailed statement of current financial condition as required by this subsection.

D. To obtain or renew a license under this chapter, each person shall be of good character and reputation. Lack of good character and reputation may be established by showing that a person has engaged in contracting without a license or committed any act that, if committed or done by any licensed contractor, would be grounds for suspension or revocation of a contractor's license or by showing that the person was named on a contractor's license that was suspended or revoked in another state.

E. To obtain a license under this chapter, a person shall not have had a license refused or revoked, within one year before the person's application, or shall not have engaged in the contracting business, nor shall the person have submitted a bid without first having been licensed within one year before the person's application, nor shall a person act as a contractor between the filing of the application and actual issuance of the license. The registrar may find any of those actions or circumstances to be excusable if there was reasonable doubt as to the need for licensure or the actions of the applicant did not result in an unremedied hardship or danger or loss to the public. A person who has been convicted of contracting without a license is not eligible to obtain a license under this chapter for one year after the date of the last conviction.

F. Before a license is issued, the qualifying party shall:

1. Have had a minimum of four years' practical or management trade experience, at least two of which must have been within the last ten years, dealing specifically with the type of construction, or its equivalent, for which the applicant is applying for a license. Technical training in an accredited college or university or in a manufacturer's accredited training program may be substituted for a portion of such experience, but in no case may credited technical training exceed two years of the required four years' experience. The registrar of contractors may reduce the four years' practical or management experience requirement if in the registrar's opinion it has been conclusively shown by custom and usage in the particular industry or craft involved that the four-year requirement is excessive. The registrar may waive the work experience documentation and verification or the examination requirement if the records reflect that the qualifying party is currently or has previously been a qualifying party for a licensee in this state in the same classification within the preceding five years.

2. Successfully show, by written examination taken not more than two years before application, if required, qualification in the kind of work for which the applicant proposes to contract, the applicant's general knowledge of the building, safety, health and lien laws of the state, administrative principles of the contracting business and the rules adopted by the registrar of contractors pursuant to this chapter, demonstrate knowledge and understanding of construction plans and specifications applicable to the particular industry or craft and of the standards of construction work and techniques and practices in the particular industry or craft and demonstrate a general understanding of other related construction trades, in addition to any other matters as may be deemed appropriate by the registrar to determine that the qualifying party meets the requirements of this chapter. The registrar shall maintain multiple versions of examinations for each type of license that requires an examination.

G. No license shall be issued to a minor, to any partnership in which one of the partners is a minor or to any corporation in which a corporate officer is a minor.

H. Before receiving, renewing and holding a license pursuant to this chapter, the registrar may require a license applicant or licensee to submit to the registrar a full set of fingerprints and the fees required in section 41-1750. The registrar shall submit the fingerprints and fees to the department of public safety for the purpose of obtaining a state and federal criminal records check pursuant to section 41-1750 and Public Law 92-544. The department of public safety may exchange this fingerprint data with the federal bureau of investigation.