The licensing program requires only companies to obtain a license (therefore, in the case of an individual, the license is issued to an "individual proprietorship").
However, each company must designate one individual who will serve as a "qualifying person" regardless of whether the licensee is an individual proprietorship, partnership or corporation. The qualifying person must pass an exam administered by Pearsonvue before the company can submit a license application.
For information about the exam and how to register to take it, visit Pearsonvue at www.pearsonvue.com or call them at 877-258-9221.
The licensing law provides guidelines for who may act as the qualifying person for each business structure type:
Individual proprietorship: Must be the proprietor or managing employee
Partnership: Must be a partner or managing employee
Limited liability company (LLC): Must be a chief manager or managing employee
Corporation: Must be a chief executive officer or managing employee
Under no circumstances can a company's qualifying person be an independent contractor of the company.
A corporation's qualifying person may act as the qualifying person for one additional corporation, but only if there is 25 percent common ownership between the two corporations or if one corporation is a subsidiary of the other corporation. For purposes of this section of the law, "subsidiary" means a corporation of which at least 25 percent is owned by the parent corporation.
The qualifying person's original exam results must be submitted with the company's license application. Be sure to keep copies of the exam results in your records.