Top Mistakes GCs Make with CEs and How to Avoid Them
General contractors can’t afford to ignore crucial things like their CEs.
Every North Carolina general contractor (GC) understands the importance of continuing education, and not just as a yearly requirement to keep their license active. It sounds pretty straightforward: complete the course, submit your renewal application, and move on. In practice, however, many contractors trip up, lose valuable time and money, and in the worst cases, some even lose their license status. The most surprising part is that the mistakes that lead to such outcomes are easily avoidable.
This post covers the most common mistakes and how to avoid them so that you won’t find yourself in a similar situation.
Mistake #1: Waiting Until the Last Minute
The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC) gives you up to November 30th each year to complete your coursework. That’s plenty of time, but still, many contractors treat their CE like a last-minute chore. This isn’t necessarily a problem if you can manage to complete your course within the right timeline.
However, there are endless risks if you choose to do it this way. From classes filling up quickly to a schedule that doesn’t leave enough time to complete your course before the deadline, there’s a lot you’re messing around with here. That’s why it’s a good idea to invest in simplified NCLBGC courses from a reliable provider like RocketCert to reduce the time you need to fulfill your CE requirements.
Mistake #2: Choosing Just Any Provider
This one happens more than you’d expect. GCs often sign up for courses that aren’t NCLBGC-approved. The result is too much work for hours that don’t even count. What’s more, you’ll have wasted quite a lot of money, and don’t forget the risk of working unlicensed until you’ve corrected the mistake.
To avoid this one, always check the official NCLBGC list of approved providers before paying for any course. It’s an extra step, yes, but one that can save you major headaches.
Mistake #3: Not Paying Enough Attention to Content Quality
Some GCs see CE as just a box to tick, thus they don’t care much about content. However, poor-quality courses will only waste your time and make you miss opportunities to improve your business. The most surprising fact about this mistake is that it’s not even that difficult to determine whether a course has high-quality content.
To avoid grappling with this one, you have to ensure that the courses you choose are taught by experienced instructors who cover practical topics. Of course, check the course to ensure it has the mandatory topics (approved by the board). For the electives, make sure you’re getting education that’s relevant to your field.
Mistake 4: Failing to Track Completion
Completing your course isn’t the same as having it recorded with the board. Even though the best course providers will report your hours to the board, don’t just assume that every provider does it. Find out for yourself whether the provider submits your hours to avoid nasty surprises later on.
Also, make sure to keep your own records: save certificates, screenshots, and email confirmations.
Fulfill Your CE Requirements the Easy Way!
The most successful general contractors in North Carolina understand that CE is more than just compliance. Doing this process the right way protects your license, reputation, and thus your livelihood. When you avoid these common pitfalls, you can turn your CE from a yearly hassle into an opportunity to sharpen your knowledge and skills.
RocketCerts supports you in this process by offering courses that are not only easier to complete but also fun to study. But don’t take our word for it. Head over to rocketcert.com to see for yourself!