Safety Certification for Painting Contractors
Many people don't realize that there are many different levels of painting contractor certifications. Most property managers require their painters to be certified and licensed, but most painters have no idea what type of certification they need. Here we'll discuss the different types of certifications and who they apply to.
The various levels of painting contractor certification are:
-Painting Technician: This is the least stringent level, consisting only of a safety card (a basic course in safety precautions). There is no licensing associated with this level. Anybody can claim to be a "painting contractor" with no proof at all. Technicians are required to wear safety glasses, but there is no requirement that the glasses be marked in any way (no "ISEA Certified" logo, etc., allowing a technician to purchase the cheapest pair of glasses possible.)
-Commercial Painting Contractor: To obtain this certification you must have a minimum of two years in the painting industry, 50% of your work and income must come from commercial jobs, and you must pass a very strict and difficult test to obtain this certification. You are licensed as a Commercial Painting Contractor for five years. (A commercial job is anything that has more than $5,000 worth of labor and materials. Dwellings are considered commercial.)
-Residential Painting Contractor: To obtain this certification you must have a minimum of two years in the painting industry, 50% of your work and income must come from residential jobs, and you must pass an easy test to obtain this certification. You are licensed as a Residential Painting Contractor for five years. (A residential job is anything that has more than $1000 worth of labor and materials.)
-Specialty Painting Contractor: To obtain this certification you must have a minimum of two years in the painting industry, 50% of your work and income must be from painting metal or wood surfaces, and you must pass an easy test to obtain this certification. You are licensed as a Specialty Painting Contractor for five years. (A specialty job is anything that has more than $500 in labor.)
-Master Carpenter: To obtain this certification you must have at least 4 years of experience, 80% of your work and income must be from carpentry, and you must pass an easy test to obtain this certification. You are licensed as a Master Carpenter for five years. (A specialty job is anything that has more than $100 in labor.)
-License: To obtain this certification you must have three years in the painting business, 75% of your work and income must come from painting, and you must pass an easy test to obtain this certification. You are licensed as a Contractor for five years. (A specialty job is anything that has more than $500 in labor.)
-License and Specialty: To obtain this certification you must have five years in the painting business, 50% of your work and income must come from painting, and you must pass an easy test to obtain this certification. You are licensed as a Contractor with Specialties for five years. (A specialty job is anything that has more than $1,000 in labor.)
-Licensed Master: To obtain this certification you must have at least seven years in the painting business, 50% of your work and income must come from painting, and you must pass very difficult tests to obtain this certification. You are licensed as a Master for ten years. (A specialty job is anything that has more than $2,500 in labor.)
There are also "master" licenses available only to painters who have obtained and maintained their state's painting contractor license for a minimum of five years. To earn a master license you must pass five separate skills tests covering each aspect of painting: Ceilings, Walls, Moldings, Woodwork and Metalwork. These tests must be taken at the state level by the contracting board overseeing painters. There is no other way to earn a master license other than through your state's painter's board. A master license is required to bid on federal jobs or any government jobs at the state level.
NOTE: In many states a contractor's license is called a "business license."
This hierarchy of certification is enforced by various governing bodies throughout the country. (More on the enforcement of licensing and certification below.) ÂÂThe hierarchy of licenses should tell you what type of work can be done by each type of painter. For example, a painting technician can paint only residential work, and most often will do prep work (priming, sanding surface, etc.) for larger painting companies. He or she cannot bid or do any commercial or specialty painting unless that painter has either a Commercial Painting Contractor's license or a Specialty Painting Contractor's License. The above list is not set in stone; if rules and regulations change, there are no laws requiring painters to move up or down the list.
Most legitimate painting companies have the following certifications in addition to the state's painter's license: Â-Residential Painting Contractor, Commercial Painting Contractor, Specialty Painting Contractor, Master Carpenter. Â-Licensed Master.
Your state's governing body overseeing painters regulates this entire industry by enforcing all of the required certifications listed above. You should read your state's laws regarding painters and contractors frequently to determine what type of certification you need or are required to have for your business or trade.
If you do not obtain the required certifications and licenses in your state, you are breaking the law! If caught, you can be fined anywhere from $100 to $1000 per job, charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense depending on the law, and possibly incarcerated. If a homeowner is injured at your work site as a result of your not having proper certification or licensing, you could be charged with criminally negligent homicide.
What Does the Government Require of Painters?
The U. S. Department of Labor sets standards for all workers in all industries throughout this country. The rules are called the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or OSHA. Painters are required to comply with these standards and the state's governing body's rules, regulations and laws.
Painters must have federal OSHA-registered safety meeting to receive a carrier identification card (CRC). This card functions like a driver license or health insurance card verifying their compliance with OSHA requirements. Painters must pass an OSHA safety course every two years in order to renew their CRC.
As you can imagine, hiring someone who doesn't have a valid CRC is risky business.
Conclusion: Hiring the Right Painter
If you have any suspicions about a painter's credentials, certification and experience, ask for a copy of their license or permits. If they refuse to show you, do not hire them. You cannot be charged with discriminating against any minority if all you asked was to see the proof of their right to work in your state.
The same holds true if they don't have insurance; if they refuse to show you their certificate or license, do not hire them. Again no discrimination is violated here. It is illegal for unlicensed painters to bid on jobs in your state because performing work without certifications or licenses is against the law.