How to Find Out if a Contractor Has Been Debarred

Contractors may be debarred from trades like construction work.

Debarment is a major problem for a contractor and his clients. If a contractor is debarred, he is not legally permitted to work in whatever business he is licensed for. It is unlikely you will find a currently debarred worker offering services for sale. However, you might be interested in knowing whether your contractor has been debarred at any time in the past. This information is available by contacting the licensing association for the contractor's trade or profession.

Instructions

1. Ask the contractor for his full legal name. Ask for the first name, middle name, last name and title of the contractor. Debarment is considered a legal action, so any debarment on record will be registered in the contractor's full name.

2. Find the name of the organization responsible for granting licenses in the contractor's profession. Ask the contractor the name of this organization if you do not know it yourself. Licensing organizations include the American Bar Association (lawyers), the American Medical Association (doctors) and the California Contractors State License Board (skilled trades). Ask the contractor whether there is a local chapter of these or similar organizations in your area.

3. Call the licensing organization. Ask to speak with a representative in the records department. If the person on the phone tells you he does not have a records department, ask to speak with whomever is responsible for records on license suspensions. Inform him that you are about to hire a contractor and need to know if he is reputable.

4. Ask the representative how long the contractor's debarment period was. Inquire if there are continuing limitations on the contractor's business. Often, contractors will be put on probation after regaining their license. It is important to know if a contractor is under probation conditions that prohibit him from doing certain types of work.

5. Ask the representative the cause of the person's debarment. Tell him you are strongly considering hiring the contractor and need to know whether their suspension would indicate a deficiency in character. If the representative cannot provide this information for you, consider finding another contractor.

References

• Contractor's License Reference Site: How to Find Out if a Contractor is Licensed
• Washington State Department of Labor and Industries: Awarding Agencies' Responsibilities
• Fort Worth: Finance Frequently Asked Questions

Resources

• Contractor's License Reference Site: Map