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House passes licensing changes to ease entry for general contractors and apprentices
Summary
HB187, a first substitute aimed at reducing barriers for general contractors and improving apprenticeship pathways, passed the House 68–0 on Feb. 19, 2019; it removes the trade exam for general-contractors while preserving business-and-law testing and financial requirements.
Representative Schultz presented first substitute HB187 as a workforce-development measure to streamline pathways into construction trades. The bill would eliminate the trade exam for general contractors but retain the business-and-law portion of licensing, maintain a two-year full-time work requirement, and preserve existing financial requirements and regulatory oversight by the Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL). Schultz said the change follows prior successful reforms for specialty contractors and is intended to attract younger workers into construction.
The bill also includes provisions to allow licensing boards for plumbing and electrical trades to adjust supervisory ratios and to create expedited pathways for apprentices who meet technical standards. Schultz said boards would study curriculum standardization across applied-technology colleges and community colleges to ease transfers and workforce mobility.
No members requested further debate and summation was waived. First substitute HB187 passed the House 68–0 and will be forwarded to the Senate.
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