Advertising within the Guidelines of the California State Contractors Board
Contractors must comply with the guidelines or face penalties. All advertising must contain your
contractors license. Advertising means newspapers, magazines, radio, television, your business card, contract proposals, lettering on your trucks or other vehicles, signs or billboards, websites, brochures, pamphlets, circular, internet posts, clothing or giveaway items that include your company logo, and any directory or listing that is soliciting work as a contractor.
Business & Professions Code § 7029.5 requires that C-36 Pluming, C-45 Sign and C-57 Well Drilling must display, on each side of every business vehicle with commercial registration in letters at least 1 1/2 inches high, the following: Business name; permanent business address and contractors license number. All other licensed contractors must display the name and license number in a clearly visible location in letters at least 3/4 inch high and wide pursuant to
Business & Professions Code § 7029.6.
It is a misdemeanor to use false, misleading, or deceptive advertising to induce clients to enter into home improvement or other improvement contracts if the public might be mislead or injured. Business & Professions Code § 7161.
Advertising beyond the scope of your license is prohibited by Business & Professions Code § 7027.1. Thus, if you have a C-21 Demolition
license and you advertise to do electrical work, you can be charged with a misdemeanor unless you also have a C-10 license. The civil penalty for the advertising is between $700 and $1,000 plus any other punishment by the Registrant of Contractors or a court of law.
Asbestos removal contractors must also include the name you are registered under and the asbestos certification number issued by the CSLB (pursuant to Business & Professions Code § 7058.5); and the registration number required under Labor Code § 6501.5 for anyone doing asbestos work pursuant to
Business & Professions Code § 7099.11.
Advertising for contractors can be tricky, you should consult an Orange County Construction Lawyer to make sure you do not run into any problems.