Provides for the issuance by the State Contractors' Board of a restricted license. (BDR 54-628)
SB130 authorizes the Nevada State Contractors’ Board to create and issue a new category of “restricted license” for certain contractors. The restricted license would allow a person to perform limited contracting work within a monetary cap, subject to Board rules, and only in classifications tied to remodeling and improvement of existing detached single-family residences or single-family units in low-rise structures. The bill also allows the restricted license holder to contract for projects involving one or more building trades or crafts, so long as the work stays within the limits set by the Board and excludes certain higher-risk work types.
To qualify, an applicant must show at least two years of trade experience, which can be satisfied through work experience, approved training, apprenticeship, or another Board-accepted qualification, and must complete a business counseling or similar course within the year before applying. Applicants must also post a surety bond or cash deposit of at least $2,000. A restricted license would last two years, be renewable, and could serve as a pathway to a full contractor’s license after two years if the holder has no open or unresolved complaints. The bill directs the Board to adopt regulations by January 1, 2027, to set the application process, renewal rules, fees, and the monetary limit for the license, which must be at least $7,000 including labor and materials unless the Board sets a higher amount.
SB130 amends Chapter 624 of NRS by adding a new restricted-license framework that sits alongside existing contractor licensing rules. It creates a narrower, lower-barrier licensing option for certain residential remodeling work, while exempting restricted licenses from many of the provisions that normally apply to full contractor licenses, with limited exceptions. The bill also requires the Board to establish implementing regulations, including the license cap, fees, bonding requirements, and other conditions, and it prohibits the Board from requiring CPA-prepared financial statements for these restricted-license applications or renewals.
The available voting history suggests the bill received mixed but ultimately favorable support. It passed the Senate 15-6 and the Assembly 36-6, indicating that while there was some opposition, the measure had broad enough support to advance through both chambers. No committee transcript is available, so the record does not show detailed debate, but the final votes suggest the bill was generally viewed as a workable licensing reform rather than a highly controversial measure.
The main points of contention likely center on whether the restricted license lowers licensing standards too much or, conversely, whether it appropriately expands access for experienced tradespeople who may not meet full contractor-license requirements. Potential concerns include the reduced regulatory burden, the relatively low monetary cap, the scope of work allowed, and the fact that the Board is given discretion to set additional requirements and the final dollar limit. Supporters likely view it as a pathway for small-scale residential contractors and a way to formalize limited-scope work, while critics may worry about consumer protection, bonding adequacy, and whether the exemption from many full-license requirements creates enforcement gaps.