What you can expect when it comes to the CSLB Claims Investigation Unit

I got a call today from one of my readers. He told me that his application was sent to the Applications 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 them! Congratulations on passing the state exams for the first time.

Just to freshen it up, the app is reviewed by a licensing technician. At this level, the technician can request corrections to the application or documentation of additional experience depending on whether the classification is considered “critical class”. In the case of the reader, he was asked to send them the transcripts of his 5-year architecture 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 application was published and the test date was assigned.

Now the Request Investigation Unit intervenes.

The assigned investigator is Roland Garcia. 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 withdraws the application from him, it will cost him less when he reapplies. 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. Then, when the reader reapplies, he’ll have to pay that $300 again, plus the $180 initial license fee if his application is accepted. So, he will have paid a total of $780!

Could it be that 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 income CSLB receives. They will lose renewal fees, etc. So, being a self-funded agency, are they cutting their own budget, or is this a big money-making scheme?

My guess is that they didn’t bother to take a second to look far enough ahead to determine what effect their actions might have. Cart before 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 frying machine, tells the reader that HE will only give you 2 years for your education, instead of the 3 years that He will give you. give to 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, they can’t change it! I would be delighted if someone in the CSLB Claims Investigation Unit could provide me with a Government Code Section or Business and Professions Code Section that would give Mr. Garcia the authority to make that determination and override the Attachment Classification.

In conclusion, this reader is sadly discovering that the CSLB makes up the rules as they go, and until someone in some sort of authority does their homework for them, they will continue to walk all over these hardworking people with impunity.

Final thought, I started my business in 2005 (I was still employed by CSLB, but was transferred so I could start the business) because I saw first hand 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. The government is here to protect and serve, not deliberately dictate or restrict the ability of a free society to make a living.

Until next time…