Contractor Licensing Information

WHO NEEDS TO BE LICENSED?

The City of Aspen and Pitkin County allow issuance of permits only to licensed contractors or, in certain instances, tested owner-builders. Contractors doing work in this jurisdiction need to be licensed through us.

HOW DO YOU BECOME LICENSED?

For your license to be approved we need:

• A completed "Contractor License Application"
• Certificates of insurance showing current coverage ("City of Aspen and Pitkin County" should be listed as certificate holder)
• Successful completion of the appropriate Board of Examiners for Standardized Testing (B.E.S.T. test)
• Payment of the license fee
• Fire Sprinkler contractors also need to provide a copy of the current state Fire Suppression Registration.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE TEST?

The Board of Examiners for Standardized Testing (B.E.S.T.) system offers tests with reciprocal status among several jurisdictions in the Roaring Fork Valley. The same test card is honored by these jurisdictions; you don't have to keep re-testing. Each jurisdiction does, however, handle its own licensing & may have different licensing requirements.

Testing in Aspen is by appointment: call (970)-920-5090 or (970)-920-5526 to schedule a test date.

The test fee varies by type of exam. A score of 75% is passing. The questions are multiple choice & true/false. The open-book test is based on the 2003 IBC, 2003 IRC, 2003 IPC, and/or 2003 IMC. Upon passing the test, you will be issued a BEST test card.

Unlimited BEST Test      Initial Exam 125 questions  8 hour time limit    $125.00

Commercial BEST Test      Initial Exam 100 questions  6 hour time limit    $100.00

Light Commercial BEST Test      Initial Exam 75 questions  5 hour time limit    $75.00

Homebuilder BEST Test      Initial Exam 60 questions  4 hour time limit   $60.00

Renewal tests for Unlimited, Commercial, Light Commercial and Homebuilder BEST cards are each 25 questions long. There is a two hour time limit and a $50.00 fee.

WHAT ABOUT JOB SUPERVISORS?

Note that all job supervisors must be tested.

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHICH TEST TO TAKE?

Several test categories are offered; you need to test and become licensed at a level appropriate for the type of work you do.

General Contractor, Unlimited-- qualifies the holder to contract for the construction, alteration, or repair of any structure of any type of construction and occupancy group as permitted by the 2003 IBC.

General Contractor, Commercial-- qualifies the holder to contract for the construction of any structure of any type of construction and occupancy group as permitted by the 2003 IBC, with the exception of Type I and Type II fire-resistive construction; qualifies the holder for the alteration or repair of any structure of any type of construction and occupancy group permitted by the 2003 IBC.

General Contractor, Light Commercial-- qualifies the holder to contract for the construction, alteration, or repair of A-3, B, E-3, H-4, M, R, or U occupancy groups of any type of construction with the exception of Type I and Type II fire-resistive construction as permitted by the 2003 IBC.

General Contractor, Home Builder-- qualifies the holder to contract for the construction, alteration, or repair of R-3 and U occupancies of type V-N construction as permitted by the 2003 IRC.

Specialty-- qualifies the holder to contract for work involving specialty trades regulated by the IBC and/or IRC:

Alteration & Maintenance

Concrete

Fire Sprinkler note:annual renewal only

Historic Preservation

Mechanical/Warm Air

Roofing

Solid Fuel & Gas Appliance

Class                                Fee:          Initial         1-year renewal       3-year renewal

General Contractor, Unlimited                $265               $200                   $400

General Contractor, Commercial             $265               $200                   $400

General Contractor, Light Commercial     $265               $200                   $400

General Contractor, Home Builder          $100                $65                    $130

Specialty, Subcontractors                     $100                $65                    $130

WHAT ABOUT PLUMBERS AND ELECTRICIANS?

Plumbers & electricians must be licensed by the State of Colorado. We require that these contractors fill out our registration form & provide copies of their state licenses. There is no fee. They also must provide certificate of insurance for liability and worker's compensation, with the certificate holder shown as "City of Aspen and Pitkin County"

HOW DO YOU GET TO BE AN OWNER BUILDER?

If an individual is personally engaged in the construction (new or remodel) of a single-family residence or accessory building for his or her own use, the individual may be the owner-builder. There are some requirements, limitations, and obligations involved. The owner does need to take the owner-builder test; there is no fee for the test.

TEMPORARY LICENSES

The ordinances adopted by the City of Aspen and Pitkin County allow for a Temporary Contractor License. A completed license application, certificates of insurance, and a fee of $100.00 are required. Evidence of testing comparable to the license requested in the City of Aspen and Pitkin County jurisdiction must be provided. The temporary license is meant to cover one job and is valid for a 180-day period only.

(Per City of Aspen Ordinance 55 Series of 1999 & Pitkin County Ordinance 61 Series of 1999 & 5 Series of 2000.)