How do I Choose the Best Contractor Continuing Education Courses?

Choosing the best contractor continuing education courses involves determining your need for continuing education, selecting courses that meet any government requirements, and then finding a school that offers quality courses at a good price. Contractors should be particularly careful to match their continuing education courses with the type of work they do and to ensure that any contractor continuing education courses they take are approved by their licensing agency. It may also benefit you to pay attention to trends in the construction industry and to select your courses accordingly.

General contracting is not a licensed trade in all areas, though specialized contractors, such as plumbers or electricians, often must be licensed. In the United States, licensing laws for contractors vary by state. Some states license all types of contractors, including general contractors and builders, while some only require specialists to receive their licenses. As a condition of maintaining your licensure, the completion of contractor continuing education courses may be required.

In many cases, state or local laws dictate the number of continuing education hours that a contractor must complete each year in order to maintain his license. In addition, the licensing agency may only recognize contractor continuing education courses that it has approved. If you take a course that isn't approved by your licensing agency, you will likely not receive credit for it and risk losing your license. If you have a contracting license in more than one state or area, make sure that any courses you take are approved in every place in which you hold a license.

You may have the opportunity to select a continuing education course on a trend topic in your industry. Such topics often include things like green construction as well as health-related issues such as dealing with household mold. These courses can give you an edge over your competition, particularly if you can speak knowledgeably on these topics with clients who are concerned about these issues.

If you live in a place that licenses contractors and requires continuing education, you'll likely find several schools in your area that offer continuing education courses. Your licensing board can also give you a list of approved schools. Some schools may offer distance learning courses, while others offer classroom education. In some cases, you may be able to take a continuing education course at trade show or trade association meeting. Select courses that fit your schedule and your budget.