Re: Home Automation Qualifications...

[Roy L Butler <roy.butler@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Frank,

Frank Olson wrote:
> Robert L Bass wrote:
>
> <snip>
>
> The definition/classifications for each contractor are listed here:
>
> http://www.cslb.ca.gov/licensing/classifications.asp
>
>
>> Here's a link to a page on California's Department of Consumer Affairs
>> website.  The page has access to info pertinent to alarmcompany
>> licensing.  Since the knowledge and experience requirements for alarm
>> installers are less than those for electricians, as a new HA aspirant
>> you may want to go that route.
>> http://www.cslb.ca.gov/contractors/default.asp
>>
>
>
> First off, this link does not take him to the Bureau of Security and
> Investigative Services (BSIS), which regulates alarm companies and
> employees.  That link is:
>
> http://www.dca.ca.gov/bsis/alarm.htm
>
> Secondly, the OP is going to require either a C-10 (Electrical) or C-7
> (Low Voltage Systems) Contractor's License.  Alarm company licensing
> (through the BSIS) will not allow him to work on HA systems (which you
> cannot consider a "Burglar Alarm", although the line between the two is
> getting "blurry") and will not exempt him from obtaining either the C-7
> or C-10 contractor classification.  A "Alarm Company Operator" license
> is very restrictive, and won't allow you to install CCTV, or Access
> Control (two elements that are often seen in HA systems).  Once again
> you "step" in with advice that is your idea of a "good answer" but is
> really only "half baked".
>
> To take this a bit further, a company with a C-7 "low voltage" ticket
> cannot install an Elk M-1 because it is listed burglar alarm equipment
> (even if it's only using  home automation components).  A company with a
> C-7 low voltage ticket can install access control, communication, and
> cctv equipment, but can't install a burglar alarm or fire alarm system.
>
> To avoid the confusion that will result from this post (when Bass starts
> "justifying" and "defending" his response in his usual inimitable
> fashion), the OP should contact:
>
> Contractors State License Board
> 9821 Business Park Drive
> Sacramento, CA 95827
> (916) 255-3900
> Toll-free (800) 321-2752
>
> They will essentially tell him exactly what I've just related.

Thanks for all of the advice.

I can appreciate the real value of experience in the field required for
a contractor's license, but it seems a shame that one cannot prepare to
enter the field while maintaining a good paying job outside the field,
say through study alone.

The only options that come to my mind would be to either work two
full-time jobs for the next couple of years (unlikely) or hire a
C-7/C-10 contractor to be on-staff for the fledgling company...  Is
there a more creative way to look at all of this?


Roy