How do I get a locksmith license in Cali?

[Eyes_Only]

Ive been looking into getting a license for locksmithing but kinda got a lil confused. Where can you go and who can you ask to recieve help in this process?

[randmguy]

I think this website can answer any questions you may have about obtaining a business license in California...http://www.dca.ca.gov/bsis/locksmith.htm

[Eyes_Only]

Yeah, I've been to that site before and printed out the application form. What I dont know is what is a county clerk and if i register a ficticious business name with them, does that mean Im registering for a business license as well? What are the consequences or responsibilityor whatever in doing this?

[randmguy]

The County Clerk is also known as the Assessor or the Recorder. They are usually in either city hall or the county courthouse. Go here:http://statelocalgov.net/. You should be able to get a number for the Clerk/Assessor in your county.

You are usually responsible for collecting sales/use tax, providing proof of bond/insurance. None of the states I've lived in have had any consequences for holding a business license. Its just a way to keep track of taxes for the local government. That is the only regulatory control on me in Minnesota...I must file quarterly taxes if I make more than $X. Fictitious business names or Doing Business As (DBA) are a different story. You almost always have to apply for a DBA before you receive a business license. Some states just require you to register your business name. Where I live now they require an application with copies of the relevant ID and you must take out a notice in the legal section of a local newspaper announcing your application. All of this is why I just use my name with "Lock Services" after it. It costs nothing and banks will not hassle you about opening a business account.

[Eyes_Only]

So would you be required to pay taxes and related fees after you register a DBA/FBN? Im guessing thats a no because you're not really conducting any business transaction yet untill you get a business license.

Also Im confused as to what this means...
"Prior to opening a business, a business name must be selected that is not already in use and then registered. Business and Professional Code 17918 specifies "No person transacting business under a fictitious business name contrary to the provisions of this chapter, or his assignee, may maintain any action upon or on account of any contract made, or transaction had, in the fictitious business name in any court of this state until the fictitious business name statement has been executed, filed, and published as required by this chapter. For the purposes of this section, the failure to comply with subdivision (b) of Section 17917 does not constitute transacting business contrary to the provisions of this chapter."

Sorry about all these questions, Im just totally new at this kinda stuff.

[randmguy]

You are only required to pay taxes if you are collecting revenue. When I was doing lockout work ful-time (20-30 calls a week) I had to pay taxes quarterly. If I'm bringing in less than $5000 a year in sales tax I have to pay yearly.

The legal boilerplate means that you have to register your DBA with the state before you can collect any money. Your business name must be unique. We can't have 30 companies called AAA Locksmiths. The last part means that if you conduct business using your DBA before the state approves your DBA you cannot sue anyone and ,legally, you cannot start a collection proceeding if someone stiffs you.

[Eyes_Only]

If you can start to collect money with just a DBA/FBN, whats the point of having a business license? I thought a DBA/FBN was just registering a business name, not registering for an actual business. Im kinda confused.