Letter: Tougher licensing for construction needed

Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2005 | 10:43 a.m.

Regarding the Sun's Nov. 7 article, "Building toward a solution":

As a retired contractor, I know that construction defects will continue forever as long as construction companies hire unlicensed workers.

Currently, if I wanted to become a plumbing, electrical or other kind of contractor I would have to take some tests, show some time in the trade and pay the fees to the county or city. And, if all went well, I would then be a licensed contractor. Then, when I needed help, I could hire anyone off the street to do the work.

As a licensee it would be my responsibility to assure work was correctly done. You can see that I can't stand over the shoulder of every worker to assure excellence.

Many other states have individual licensing where any construction worker must have a license to be hired. Individuals must take tests to assure they know the field in which they work. They must also attend annual refresher courses to maintain their license.

In those states, if an individual has complaints filed against that license for shoddy work the license is either suspended temporarily or permanently. This is done by the Contractors Board. If you know your job might be at stake you are very careful of your installation.

Unions, the Contractors Board and public schools handle classes. Current licensees are instructors. Fees charged to workers pay for the tests and all other costs. This system works well elsewhere, why not here?

Gerald Ernst

Las Vegas