A construction supervisor license is a permit that allows you to manage a general contracting job in certain areas. It allows an individual to plan and construct buildings and projects under a certain size and square footage in areas where the license is required. In general, the license can be obtained by completing a certain number of years of construction experience and passing a knowledge-based exam. The exam is designed to assess a contractor’s understanding of local regulations and building codes. The exam may also include questions about construction safety and standard business practices.
Local governments may choose to restrict which contractors are allowed to build structures and work on improvement projects. Some areas may have restrictions on who is allowed to manage construction sites, while other regional governments oversee the licensing of everyone involved in the process. A construction supervisor license, in general, enables an individual to build new structures and hire other workers.
In some areas, obtaining a construction supervisor’s license is the only way to get started on a new project. The type and size of structures that the person who holds the permit can manage may be limited by the license. In these situations, a supervisor may need to hire a licensed architect or engineer who is qualified to design and supervise a large-scale construction project.
When a construction supervisor license is required in a given area, the first step is usually to gain experience building new structures and working on construction sites. Depending on regional regulations, the number of years of experience required to obtain a construction supervisor license varies. One place to look for information about any requirements or prerequisites for obtaining a license in a given area is the city, state, or region’s licensing website.
After gaining experience in the field, the next step in obtaining a construction supervisor license is to pass a comprehensive exam that tests knowledge of regional standards and construction safety practices. The information is generally comprehensive, but it may be necessary to have specific knowledge of building codes. Multiple-choice tests are common and can be given at a professional testing facility.
A practice test and study guide may be available from the regional government office that administers the construction supervisor license test. Private test preparation companies in your area may offer courses and learning groups to assist individuals in studying for the test and learning all pertinent material. The cost of registering for the test and obtaining a construction supervisor license is usually quite high.