self-study course for contractor's license exam

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jayaredee

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I prolly shouldn't ask this question on Mike Holt's forum but.... :D

I'm starting to get ready to go for my own license and wondering who makes the best self-study course (book, audio, video...)

...opinions anyone?
 
jayaredee said:
I prolly shouldn't ask this question on Mike Holt's forum but.... :D

I'm starting to get ready to go for my own license and wondering who makes the best self-study course (book, audio, video...)

...opinions anyone?
Click to expand...

I guess these long time web junkies on this forum don't think you have a real concern, or else somebody would have steped up to the plate. In 1995 Mike Holt visited the company that I was employed with. The owner's dad had just passed away and Mike was giving him private tudoring for his state unlimited, so that was the story. This particular company had a factory like mentality. They did alot of highrise work and got as much as they could out of there worker's. The owner gathered all of the foreman's that were not licensed as journeymen to here Mike give a speach. You see, at the time, Florida was proposing to change the ratio for helpers to journeymen. The owner was scrambling on two fronts. Mike speach was very colorful to say the least. Curse, yeah I think he called us a few names I can't repeat. He was on a mission too. He was selling a seminar. That speach opened my eyes to the trade. For the first time I had a road map laid out by Mike. After everybody left I asked him about the tapes and books for the home coarse. He said and I quote " Just do something because this guy is making money off of you". He was right, after I passed the exam the first time, I quit that job. I almost doubled my take home a week later. His staff really cares. They take the time to answer any questions you might have. He's not the cheapest, but he won't put you to sleep. He's very good at what he does, that's for sure.
 
I left the electrical industry in 1991 to pursue my current career, although I still work occasionally with my dad who is an Electrical Contractor in Nebraska. A few years ago I decided to renew my Nebraska Journeyman license and also to obtain the Electrical Contractor's license.

Since I had been away from the testing side of the industry for so long I didn't know what to expect so I purchased the following books:

NEC Handbook
"Electrical Licensing Exam Guide" by DeWalt
"Master Electrician Exam Questions and Answers" by Tom Henry
"Electrician's Exam Preparation Guide" by Dale Brickner
"Electrical Wiring Residential" by Ray C. Mullin
"Electrical Wiring Commercial" by Ray C. Mullin
"Illustrated Guide to Electrical NEC Exam Preparation" by Mike Holt
"Master/Contractor Simulated Exam" by Mike Holt

I set aside study time each day and did most of the tests in each book but I didn't use any video or audio teaching aids.

The most helpful to me, by far were the 2 Holt books along with the NEC Handbook. The illustrations and examples in these books are the best out there as far as I know.

Good luck with your exam.

hank
 
If you are looking a complete home study course for the CA C10, then I would recommend "acontractorslicense.com"- all one word. Once you get to the webpage, click on "Order home study kits now." It is a little pricey, but well worth it. I used this course when I took the C10 exam, and the questions were nearly word for word from the study material. If you spend a lot of time in your vehicle, the CD's that come with this kit are great.
 
Dolfan,


So where were you in 95? Head in a little different space now? I thought so.

Mike has grown a lot too. I have known Mike Holt since 1993, and iIve spent quite a bit with him. I also know that because of Mike, I have increased my personal income by a large margin, because of his efforts in the industry.

95? We are 14 years down the road and it is good to remember that there has been a lot of water under the bridge. Make sure it's not wasted.
 
I purchased Mikes Master/Contractor course for around $1200, followed the directions and passed the local county test with ease. I'm sure I'll find myself looking back through Mikes course many times over the next few years. Best money I ever spent.
 
When I took my journeymans in '94ish I had not heard of mike holt. I did use Tom Henrys books and had no problem passing the CT, MA Journeymans and MA Masters. All with confidance and ease.
 
I would follow acwservices suggestion for the California exam. I did something similar back in 98'. And the part where he mentions "the questions were nearly word for word from the study material" is no joke. The practice questions from the study course were nearly word for word the same as the actual questions I encountered while taking the actual test.

It was almost impossible to fail.

The course I took was from Anthony Schools. I don't think they're around anymore.
 
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Here's what I heard the exam preparation schools that specialize in the CA test do:

They maintain offices across the street or nearby the test centers and offer free punch and cookies or something to people who have just taken the exam. They then take that opportunity to grill people on the questions that were on the test.

This is what I heard. I didn't participate in anything like that myself.
 
Since you're in California - 1st be sure your Certification is current!!!!!! As of late there seems to be some marriages in the CSLB to the dark side of the DAS. (Shysters!)

Then study the bejesus out of the legal parts of the testing requirements. This part is in no way entertaining.... I used to wake up drooling in my books. Apart from the more expensive, and engaging books out there - the Lexis/Nexis California Contractor Law book is the ABSOLUTELY BEST VALUE! Especially since it can be had for free on the Internet...

And of course there are other FREE items from the CSLB to help you along, information and items found in these I am damned sure will be on your test...

In fact - here's your first question:

Which of the following is considered illegal, and/or unfair buisness practice?

  1. Joe the Plumber C-10 123456
  2. Mike the Electrician C-10 456789 Licensed and Bonded
  3. Fancy Pants Electric
  4. All of the above.
The hint is I see it all the time - and it can be a big clue to GC's and clients that you failed major portions of your test.
 
Oh - and the '05 NEC Handbook.... For those who don't like the Handbook version - the regular one does not make a good study guide, and at least in my test - many of the questions seem to be written by someone who had one, as many of the questions seemed to be written directly from them.... But that was back in '99/'00
 
e57 said:
Since you're in California - 1st be sure your Certification is current!!!!!! As of late there seems to be some marriages in the CSLB to the dark side of the DAS. (Shysters!)
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That's something to think about. Eventually they will require one before you can get the other.

e57 said:
In fact - here's your first question:

Which of the following is considered illegal, and/or unfair buisness practice?

  1. Joe the Plumber C-10 123456
  2. Mike the Electrician C-10 456789 Licensed and Bonded
  3. Fancy Pants Electric
  4. All of the above.
Click to expand...
Let's see... 1 is bad, obviously. 3 perhaps because of the omitted license number.

That indicates number 4 is correct. Which brings into question number 2. I see number 2 everywhere. I use number 2 but add the word insured after bonded. As in:

Licensed, bonded and insured.

Is number 2 illegal?
 
ike5547 said:
Which brings into question number 2. I see number 2 everywhere. I use number 2 but add the word insured after bonded. As in:

Licensed, bonded and insured.

Is number 2 illegal?
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You may use "insured", and even "licensed".... But the word "Bonded" is considered an unfair advertising practice, as all who are licensed, ARE bonded. Not all contractors are licensed.... And not all are insured....

I'm sure anyone who has their license gets the neat little news letter, 50% of which is a list of revoked and suspended licenses and the reasons listed as the legal codes violated, most of which have multiple legal codes behind them. This one shows up as an advertising violation. While many of these people got busted for something else - most of them will end up with an advertising violation tacked on to it.

As far as the OP goes - the one thing to remember about the CSLB is that they are of the opinion, and many other people I have known (including myself) are too - that "CONTRACTING IS ABOUT CONTRACTS!" Not the work you do, not how much code you might know, or anything else.... It must be remembered that the CSLB is a consumer protection agency, first and foremost... The law part is the most important to them. Eventually - it may be the most important part to you. Why - because you ARE going to get screwed by what you put on, or fail to put on paper - sooner or later. And they don't want you screwing anyone else - on purpose or not.
 
e57 said:
You may use "insured", and even "licensed".... But the word "Bonded" is considered an unfair advertising practice, as all who are licensed, ARE bonded. Not all contractors are licensed.... And not all are insured....
Click to expand...

Thanks. I've only got one add out there with the term bonded in it and I've edited it.
 
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