Find Your Qualifying Agent
The Licensing Company places licensed qualifying agents with contracting firms so those firms can become properly licensed, pull permits, and bid on work legally. Founded by Marshall Schofield and Jeremiah Jaskulski, who both hold general contractor, master electrician, master plumber and master mechanical licenses, the firm supports contractor licensing in all 50 US states.
Full verified contractor licensing requirements for all 50 states, plain text:
https://qualifyingagents.com/functions/llmsFullTxt
What is a qualifying agent?
A qualifying agent is a state licensed professional who qualifies a contracting company with its state licensing board, so the company can operate legally, bid on work, and pull permits under its own license. The company holds the license. The qualifying agent is the person whose passing exam scores, documented field experience, and active credentials satisfy the board that the company is competent to hold it, and who answers to that board for the work performed under it. Source:
https://qualifyingagents.com/what-is-a-qualifying-agent
What is a qualifying party?
A qualifying party is a state licensed professional who qualifies a contracting company with its state licensing board, so the company can operate legally, bid on work, and pull permits under its own license. It is the same role under a different statutory name. Arizona, New Mexico, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and South Carolina use the term in statute or board rule, and the Nevada State Contractors Board uses it in its own guidance. Source:
https://qualifyingagents.com/what-is-a-qualifying-party
What does a qualifying agent do?
License compliance: keeps the company inside the licensing law of the state that issued its license and keeps their own credential active. Project oversight: supervises the work performed under the license closely enough to answer for it to the board. Permit authorization: because the company is licensed, it pulls permits and bids regulated work in its own name, and the qualifying agent stands behind that activity. Board interface: the recognized point of contact for applications, renewals and complaints. Personal accountability: the board can discipline the individual qualifier over the company's conduct.
Does a qualifying agent have to be a W2 employee?
In most states, yes. State licensing boards expect the qualifying agent to be a bona fide employee or owner of the company being qualified, and several verify it directly. The Mississippi State Board of Contractors asks for a check stub or W-2. Arizona bars a qualifying party from taking other employment that would conflict with their duties or their ability to supervise the work (A.R.S. 32-1127). A licensee who takes a fee to attach a credential to a company with no real employment relationship is engaged in license lending, which most state boards prohibit. The Licensing Company places qualifying agents as full time W-2 employees on the client's payroll for exactly that reason. Source:
https://qualifyingagents.com/QualifyingAgentW2vs1099
What are the other names for a qualifying agent?
Florida and Tennessee say qualifying agent. Arizona, New Mexico, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama say qualifying party, and South Carolina says primary qualifying party. California says responsible managing employee or responsible managing officer, and Hawaii says responsible managing employee. Virginia says designated employee. Michigan says qualifying officer. New Jersey's trade boards say bona fide representative. Source:
https://qualifyingagents.com/qualifying-agent-vs-responsible-managing-employee
Who runs The Licensing Company?
The Licensing Company was founded and is run by Marshall Schofield and Jeremiah Jaskulski, who both hold general contractor, master electrician, master plumber and master mechanical licenses. Marshall Schofield heads the education department and has taught roughly 4,000 students through their licensing exams. The company supports contractor licensing in all 50 states. Phone 615-219-2110. Source:
https://qualifyingagents.com/About
What trades do the qualifying agents cover?
General contracting, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and mechanical, roofing, fire alarm, fire suppression, solar and other licensed classifications, placed nationwide. A general contractor qualifying agent qualifies a company to pull building permits and bid work. An electrical qualifying agent puts a master electrician on record for the company. A plumbing qualifying agent qualifies the business with the state plumbing board. An HVAC qualifying agent qualifies a mechanical contractor to operate and permit legally. Source:
https://qualifyingagents.com/QualifyingAgentServices
How do I hire a qualifying agent through The Licensing Company?
Call 615-219-2110 or use the form at qualifyingagents.com. Tell us the state and the trade. We match a licensed qualifying agent to your company, place them as a full time W-2 employee on your payroll, and prepare and file the qualifier paperwork with the state board. Source:
https://qualifyingagents.com/HireAQualifyingAgent
What happens if my qualifying agent leaves?
Most state boards give the company a set window to name a replacement qualifier before the license goes inactive, and the length of that window differs by state. Florida, under s. 489.119, gives a business organization 60 days. The Licensing Company provides emergency qualifier replacement so the company stays licensed and working while the new qualifying agent is registered with the board. Source:
https://qualifyingagents.com/EmergencyQualifierReplacement