Reminder: California Contractors Are Required To Register With DIR Before Bidding On Public Works Projects

The California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) recently issued a press release reminding California contractors that, beginning March 1, 2015, all contractors are required to register with the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) in order to bid on public works projects and, on April 1, 2015, all contractors will be required to be registered with DIR to be awarded a public works contract, even if the project did not go out to bid. This new requirement became effective on June 20, 2014 as a result of Senate Bill 854. DIR maintains a listing of registered contractors and subcontractors on its website to assist the various awarding bodies to confirm that bidders are properly registered, and for contractors who need to confirm that their bid team members are registered.

The CSLB also reminded contractors that they are also required to submit certified payroll records (CPRs) to the Labor Commissioner’s office for all new projects awarded on or after April 1, 2015, and for other projects if the projects are still on-going after January 1, 2016. The only exception will be projects awarded by Caltrans, the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Unified School District, Sacramento County, or projects that utilize a project labor agreement.

Additional Source: CA: Public Works Contractors Online Application System