Frequently Asked Questions

A contractor qualifier is a licensed contractor who meets a state's experience and examination requirements and takes legal responsibility for the construction work performed under their license. Most Southeast states require that every licensed contractor entity — LLC, corporation, or sole proprietorship — have a designated qualifier whose credentials back the company's license. The qualifier is the person whose license is on the line, which is why genuine involvement and supervision are not optional.

You bring the company, the crews, and the clients — I provide the active license and serve as your W-2 employee qualifier. I handle the licensing board relationship, maintain compliance with state-specific supervision requirements, and remain genuinely available to oversee work when required. The arrangement is structured to satisfy state law from day one: employment agreement, payroll, and documented supervision.

I currently offer qualifying services in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Louisiana, and Alabama. Each state has its own licensing structure and supervision rules, and I am familiar with the specific requirements in all six. If your company operates across multiple states in the Southeast, we can discuss a multi-state arrangement.

No — and that distinction is critical. License rental is the illegal practice of paying a qualifier a flat fee while they have no real involvement with your company or its work. What I offer is a legitimate qualifying partnership: I am employed by your company as a W-2 worker, I actively supervise construction operations, and I am genuinely accountable for the work performed under the license. This is the structure that satisfies state law and protects your business from fines, stop-work orders, or license revocation.

W-2 employment means I am on your company payroll as a legitimate employee, with taxes withheld and reported the way any standard employment relationship works. Most Southeast states specifically require this structure for a qualifying arrangement to be legal — a 1099 contractor relationship for a qualifier is a red flag that often signals an impermissible license rental. Proper W-2 employment also creates a clear paper trail that protects your company in any licensing board audit or dispute.

Compensation is structured as a W-2 salary and negotiated based on your company's volume, scope of work, and the states involved. I don't advertise a flat rate because every company's situation is different — a small residential remodeler has different needs than a multi-state commercial contractor. Reach out and we'll have a straightforward conversation about whether the numbers make sense for both of us.

Once we agree on terms, the setup timeline depends largely on the state and whether your company's license application is new or a qualifier change on an existing license. A qualifier change on an existing license can often be processed in a few weeks; a new license application may take one to three months depending on the state board's processing times. I'll walk you through what to expect for your specific situation during our initial conversation.

Yes. Several Southeast states — most notably Louisiana — require a Financially Responsible Officer in addition to or as part of the qualifying process. I am experienced with FRO requirements and can discuss taking on that role as part of the overall arrangement. The specific requirements vary by state, so we'll review what your target state demands before finalizing terms.

I work primarily with residential and light commercial general contractors operating in the Southeast. That includes remodelers, home builders, specialty trades looking to expand their scope, and companies that have grown beyond what a principal's own license covers. I look for companies with genuine construction operations and an owner serious about running a compliant business — not someone looking for a shortcut.

Either party can end the arrangement with appropriate notice, as defined in the employment agreement we sign at the start. When the relationship ends, I work cooperatively to transition the qualifying role — whether that means helping you bring on a new qualifier or giving you time to pursue your own license. I don't hold companies hostage, and I expect the same professionalism in return.

Yes. Your company is required to carry its own general liability insurance and, in most states, workers' compensation coverage. These are your policies protecting your business, your employees, and your clients — not something the qualifier provides. Before we formalize any arrangement, I will confirm that your coverage meets the minimum thresholds required by the relevant state licensing board.

State rules vary on this. Some states allow a qualifier to hold a role with multiple entities; others restrict it or require specific disclosure to the licensing board. I'm transparent about any existing qualifying relationships and will tell you upfront whether your state permits a shared arrangement. My priority is always compliance, so I won't take on more companies than I can genuinely supervise within the legal framework.