License Classifications, Qualifiers (RMO/RME), and Discipline
Know how California licenses are organized, who "qualifies" a company, and what happens when a license is disciplined.
1. The three classifications
| Class | Type |
|---|---|
| A | General Engineering contractor |
| B | General Building contractor |
| C | Specialty (single-trade) — 40+ classes |
C-10 = Electrical. (Others: C-36 plumbing, C-20 HVAC, C-39 roofing, etc.)
2. The qualifying individual — RMO vs. RME
Every license needs a qualifying individual who is responsible to the CSLB for the company's work:
- RMO = Responsible Managing Officer — an owner or officer of the company.
- RME = Responsible Managing Employee — an employee (not owner/officer) who qualifies it.
To qualify, the individual generally needs at least 4 years of journey-level (or higher — foreman/supervisor/contractor) experience within the last 10 years in that classification.