What you can expect when dealing with the CSLB Application Investigation Unit
I received a call today from one of my readers. He told me that his application was sent to the Application Investigation Unit or AIU. He received the letter from AIU just a few days before his exam date. Fortunately, he made the right decision and took the exams… because he passed! Congratulations on passing the state exams for the first time.
Just to refresh you, the application is reviewed by a license technician. At this level, the technician may request corrections to the application or additional expertise documentation depending on whether the rating is considered “critical class.” In the reader’s case, he was asked to send them the transcripts of his 5-year architectural degree. The Licensing Classification Deputy, who is usually at least (or supposed to be) a Compliance Representative, or ER1 is the person who makes the determination that your 5-year degree was worth 3 years toward the 4-year minimum requirement . So your app has been published and the test date has been assigned.
Now the Request Investigation Unit is involved.
The assigned investigator is Roland García. ER1 Garcia informs the reader that he now has to provide permits and contracts. The MO these days for the CSLB. Mr. Garcia also gave the reader the new party line… withdraw your application or I will deny it. Furthermore, he told the reader that if he withdrew the application from him, he would cost less when he reapplied. I’m thinking? What is Mr. Garcia smoking? Withdrawing an application does not mean he will get back the $300 application filing fee. That is gone forever. So when the reader reapplies, he’ll have to pay that $300 again, plus the initial license fee of $180 if his application is accepted. So he will have paid a total of $780!
Could it be that the CSLB is denying these applications so they can make people pay the $300 filing fee more than once? As I said in a previous post, denying applications decreases the revenue CSLB receives. They will lose renewal fees, etc. So, being a self-funded agency, are they either cutting their own budget or it’s just some big money-making scheme.
My opinion is that they didn’t bother to take a second to look far enough to determine what effect their actions might have. Cart before the horse, so to speak.
To continue, Mr. Garcia, who at this point doesn’t know his job very well or should be working on the fry machine, tells the reader that HE will only give you 2 years for your education, instead of the 3 years that they give him by the Classification Deputy on the Licensing side of the building. Um… I’m sorry Mr. Garcia; You can’t stop ringing that bell. Once the licensing department reviews the transcripts and gives the applicant 3 years of credit, you can’t change it! I would love it if someone in the CSLB Application Investigation Unit could provide me with a Government Code Section or a Business and Professions Code Section that gives Mr. Garcia the authority to make that determination and override the Adjunct Classification.
In conclusion, this reader is sadly finding that the CSLB makes up the rules as they go along, and until someone in some sort of authority does their homework for them, they will continue to run over these hard-working people with impunity.
Final thought, I started my business in 2005 (still employed by CSLB, but transferred so I could start the business) because I saw firsthand how CSLB treated applicants. I felt that the applicant needed someone on his side. Looking back now, how things were over 8 years ago was nothing compared to how things are now.
My goal, point of view, perspective, desire, was, is, and always will be…as a consumer advocate. I am also a consumer and have also dealt with state agencies. Government is here to protect and serve, not deliberately dictate or restrict the ability of a free society to earn a living.
Until next time…
