Nevada Business & Law — Section 10: Compliance, Discipline & Complaints
PSI loves: complaint flow (intake → investigation → hearing/settlement → order), grounds for discipline (unlicensed work, aiding/abetting, misrepresentation, monetary limit violations, abandonment, failure to pay, safety/permit violations), required notifications (address/ownership/QI changes), advertising rules (license number display), and penalties/remedies (fines, probation, suspension, revocation, corrective action, restitution). Tab every definition box and any tables that list who/what/when and deadlines.
1) Complaint & Investigation Process From intake to order
Typical Flow
- Complaint intake → assignment to investigator → request for documents & site visit.
- Closing options: resolve by corrective action/settlement or proceed to hearing.
- Emergency actions possible in severe threat cases.
Contractor Response
- Respond by the stated deadline; provide contracts, change orders, communications, payments.
- Demonstrate good-faith repair or restitution if warranted.
2) Grounds for Discipline What gets you in trouble
License & Limits
- Unlicensed contracting or working outside classification.
- Exceeding monetary limit or violating bid/contract rules.
Conduct
- Fraud/misrepresentation; diversion of funds; failure to pay for labor/materials.
- Project abandonment or gross negligence.
Compliance
- Advertising without license number; failure to maintain bond/insurance.
- Ignoring safety/permit requirements or Board orders.
3) Qualifying Individual (QI) Duties & Notifications Supervision & control
QI Responsibilities
- Provide supervision and control over construction operations.
- Ensure compliance with classification and monetary limits; oversee employees/subs.
Notify the Board
- Report address, business name, ownership, and QI changes within required time frames.
- Failure to notify can be an independent ground for discipline.
4) Advertising & Contracting Rules What must be shown
- Include the contractor’s license number in ads, proposals, websites, and cards as required.
- Use the licensed name and classification correctly; avoid implying unheld classifications.
- Written contracts should include required disclosures; change orders in writing.
5) Hearings, Orders & Penalties Outcomes
Possible Orders
- Administrative fines; investigative costs.
- Corrective actions: repair/replace, refund, documentation.
License Status
- Probation with conditions; suspension; revocation.
- Cease-and-desist for unlicensed activity.
After the Order
- Comply with deadlines; submit proof of compliance.
- Appeal options exist—note filing timelines.
6) Bond, Insurance & Restitution Links Making owners whole
- Maintain surety bond and required insurance; Board may increase bond based on risk.
- Orders can require restitution or completion of corrective work.
- Failure to maintain insurance/bond can trigger immediate discipline.
7) Ethics & Professional Conduct Do the right thing
- Bid honestly; no misrepresentation of qualifications or experience.
- Pay subs/suppliers timely; resolve disputes in writing.
- Avoid conflicts of interest and kickbacks; document change conditions promptly.
8) Records that Win Cases Evidence beats memory
- Keep contracts, change orders, daily reports, photos, emails, pay apps, waivers.
- Maintain customer communications logs and correction attempts.
- Clean records often prevent discipline or reduce penalties.
9) Compliance Calendar Never miss a deadline
- License renewal, bond/insurance renewals, address/QI change filings.
- Respond to Board notices by the stated date.
- Use a tickler system with backups and assigned responsibility.
10) Unlicensed Activity & Aiding/Abetting High-risk area
- Contracting or bidding without a license is prohibited; so is letting others use your license.
- Working outside your classification or exceeding your monetary limit can be disciplined.
- Advertising for work you are not licensed to perform is a separate offense.
Practice Exam — 60 Questions Answers & brief explanations under each
1. A typical complaint sequence is:
- Hearing → Complaint → Investigation
- Complaint → Investigation → Settlement/Hearing → Order
- Order → Appeal → Complaint
- Bid → Lien → Complaint
Answer
B — Intake to resolution to order.
2. A licensee must report changes to QI/ownership/address:
- Never
- Within required time frames listed in the book
- Only at renewal
- Only if asked
Answer
B — Tab the notification deadlines.
3. Advertising without your license number can result in:
- Awards
- Discipline
- Tax refund
- Bond reduction
Answer
B — Display the number as required.
4. Bidding a project over your monetary limit is:
- Allowed
- A ground for discipline
- Encouraged
- Insurance issue only
Answer
B — Stay within limit/classification.
5. Aiding/abetting unlicensed activity includes:
- Verifying subs’ licenses
- Letting another business use your license
- Posting safety signs
- Paying taxes
Answer
B — Prohibited.
6. Failure to pay for labor or materials may lead to:
- No issue
- Discipline and possible restitution orders
- Bonus
- Higher monetary limit
Answer
B — Financial responsibility is key.
7. Project abandonment is generally defined as:
- Finishing early
- Ceasing work without cause and without notice
- Taking a lunch break
- Submitting a change order
Answer
B — A common discipline ground.
8. Using a business name different from the licensed name can be:
- Fine
- Misleading and subject to discipline
- Preferred
- Required
Answer
B — Use the licensed name and number.
9. During an investigation, the contractor should:
- Ignore requests
- Respond timely with documents and propose corrective action if appropriate
- Delete emails
- Threaten the owner
Answer
B — Cooperation matters.
10. A cease-and-desist order is typically used for:
- Safety trainings
- Unlicensed contracting
- Design approvals
- Sales tax
Answer
B — Stops activity immediately.
11. Probation often means:
- No conditions
- License remains active but with conditions and monitoring
- Automatic revocation
- Advertising only
Answer
B — Comply or face stiffer action.
12. If insurance lapses, the Board may:
- Send flowers
- Discipline and/or suspend until proof is restored
- Upgrade license
- Increase retainage
Answer
B — Maintain continuous coverage.
13. Misrepresentation in a bid or application can lead to:
- Award
- Discipline or denial
- Bonus
- Tax credit
Answer
B — Honesty required.
14. Failure to comply with a Board order by the deadline may result in:
- Nothing
- Escalated penalties or suspension
- Award of fees
- Contract addendum
Answer
B — Meet all compliance dates.
15. Unlicensed advertising typically includes:
- Listing the license number
- Omitting the license number when required
- Project photos
- Safety awards
Answer
B — Display the number.
16. A contractor can reduce discipline risk by:
- No contracts
- Using written contracts and written change orders
- Cash only
- Verbal promises
Answer
B — Paper trail wins.
17. If a QI leaves the company:
- Do nothing
- Notify the Board and replace per rules
- Reuse their stamp
- Bid larger jobs
Answer
B — QI continuity is required.
18. Working outside your classification can result in:
- Commendation
- Discipline
- Bonus
- Tax break
Answer
B — Stay in your scope.
19. Paying subs/suppliers late can escalate to:
- No issue
- Complaints, bond claims, and discipline
- Extra credit
- Insurance discount
Answer
B — Financial responsibility.
20. At hearing, persuasive evidence includes:
- Memory
- Contracts, change orders, emails, payment records, photos
- Rumors
- Texts without context
Answer
B — Keep complete files.
21. License name must match:
- Any DBA used
- The name advertised and on contracts
- Only payroll
- Only tax return
Answer
B — Consistency prevents confusion.
22. A Board may increase a bond amount when:
- It snows
- Risk factors or history warrant it
- Owner asks
- Any time randomly
Answer
B — Bond level can be adjusted.
23. “Cease work and correct deficiencies” is an example of:
- RFI
- Corrective action order
- Pay app
- Lien release
Answer
B — Compliance remedy.
24. A license revocation generally means:
- More bids
- Loss of the privilege to contract until reinstated per rules
- Bigger limits
- Fewer records
Answer
B — Severe discipline.
25. A contractor avoiding complaints should:
- Ignore customers
- Communicate in writing and resolve punch promptly
- Work without permits
- Skip schedules
Answer
B — Communication prevents disputes.
26. Using someone else’s license is:
- Allowed with permission
- Prohibited aiding/abetting
- Insurance only
- Bonding tip
Answer
B — Don’t lend or borrow licenses.
27. If a contractor exceeds the contract price without approved change orders, risk includes:
- No risk
- Non-payment and discipline exposure
- Tax credit
- Faster closeout
Answer
B — Get COs signed.
28. Failure to maintain workers’ compensation can lead to:
- Bonus
- Stop-work orders and discipline
- Warranty extension
- Bid credits
Answer
B — Insurance compliance is mandatory.
29. If you disagree with a disciplinary order, you should:
- Ignore it
- File an appeal/contest within the deadline
- Tell a friend
- Post on social
Answer
B — Track appeal timelines.
30. A contractor’s best defense to “failure to pay” claims is:
- No records
- Proof of payment or valid dispute with notices
- Rumors
- Promises
Answer
B — Keep waivers and proof of payment.
31. Posting ads implying you hold a specialty classification you don’t have is:
- Creative
- Misrepresentation and subject to discipline
- Required
- Fine if small font
Answer
B — Advertise only what you’re licensed to do.
32. During probation, failure to file required reports may cause:
- Automatic promotion
- Revocation or suspension
- Prize
- Bond refund
Answer
B — Follow conditions exactly.
33. If a customer refuses access to correct work, the contractor should:
- Abandon the job
- Document offers to correct and keep evidence
- Pay cash
- Ignore
Answer
B — Shows good-faith compliance.
34. Performing work without required permits is:
- Efficient
- Ground for discipline
- Preferred
- Owner’s issue only
Answer
B — Pull permits as required.
35. “Restitution” in a discipline order means:
- Tax refund
- Paying the complainant amounts ordered
- Bond increase
- New permit
Answer
B — Money or corrective work.
36. A license may be suspended when:
- Owner smiles
- Non-compliance presents risk or orders are ignored
- Project finishes
- It rains
Answer
B — Suspension protects the public.
37. A contractor can demonstrate “supervision and control” by:
- No meetings
- Documented policies, site visits, qualified supervisors, and oversight of subs
- Cash pay
- Oral direction only
Answer
B — QI oversight.
38. If a Board sets a compliance deadline, you should:
- Wait
- Calendar it and submit proof before/at deadline
- Contest silently
- Forget
Answer
B — Proof of compliance is required.
39. Which best prevents “abandonment” allegations?
- No schedule
- Maintain communication, change orders, and document access issues
- Stop work quietly
- Remove sign
Answer
B — Paper trail and progress.
40. A settlement agreement may include:
- Nothing
- Corrective work, refunds, and stipulated penalties if not completed
- Vacation plans
- Tax forms
Answer
B — Binding commitments.
41. Working while the license is suspended is:
- Fine
- Additional violation
- Upgrade path
- Bond practice
Answer
B — Don’t contract during suspension.
42. “Diversion of funds” generally refers to:
- Using progress payments for unrelated purposes contrary to contract
- Filing a lien
- Buying PPE
- Submitting an RFI
Answer
A — Financial misconduct.
43. The fastest way to answer discipline questions on the exam is to:
- Guess
- Go to your “Compliance/Discipline” tab and scan the grounds/penalties tables you highlighted
- Check liens
- Check OSHA
Answer
B — Keywords will jump out.
44. “Unlicensed practice” includes:
- Renewed license
- Contracting or advertising without an active license
- Using PPE
- Posting waivers
Answer
B — Don’t bid/contract unlicensed.
45. If a licensee changes business entity type:
- No notice
- Notify the Board and update records
- Use old name
- Skip advertising rules
Answer
B — Keep records current.
46. “Good-faith repair” efforts help because they:
- Prove intent to comply and may reduce penalties
- Are secret
- Replace permits
- Increase limits
Answer
A — Document everything.
47. If a sub is unlicensed for its trade:
- No issue
- Prime may face discipline for hiring/allowing unlicensed work
- Faster schedule
- Lower audit risk
Answer
B — Verify licenses before award.
48. “Corrective action” may include:
- Publicity
- Repair, replace, refund, or obtain missing permits
- Vacation
- Logo change
Answer
B — Fix what’s wrong.
49. If you miss an appeal deadline, the order usually becomes:
- Optional
- Final
- Void
- Automatic refund
Answer
B — Calendar deadlines.
50. The best single habit to avoid complaints is:
- Silence
- Clear written scope, schedule, and change documentation
- Cash jobs
- No photos
Answer
B — Manage expectations.
51. License classification matters because it:
- Decorates certificates
- Defines the scope you can legally contract for
- Sets payroll tax
- Sets lien rights
Answer
B — Don’t exceed your scope.
52. A monetary limit is typically based on:
- Logo size
- Financial statements and Board criteria
- Permit number
- Number of trucks
Answer
B — Financial capacity.
53. If a homeowner complains about workmanship, first step is:
- Ghost them
- Acknowledge in writing and schedule inspection
- Send a gift card
- File a lien
Answer
B — Professional response.
54. Orders may require proof such as:
- Selfie
- Receipts, permits, photos, signed releases
- New logo
- Yard sign
Answer
B — Abatement verification.
55. “Working under someone else’s classification” to perform restricted work is:
- Normal
- Prohibited unless properly subcontracted to a duly licensed specialty
- Required
- Optional
Answer
B — Use appropriately licensed subs.
56. If you change your business address, you should:
- Wait until renewal
- Notify the Board within the required period
- Only update bank
- Do nothing
Answer
B — Keep records current.
57. A contractor that refuses to correct defective work risks:
- No risk
- Order to repair or refund plus penalties
- Faster closeout
- Insurance discount
Answer
B — Corrective action is common.
58. A “final order” is:
- Informal letter
- Binding decision unless timely appealed
- Draft
- Permit
Answer
B — Know the dates.
59. If a sub files a bond claim for non-payment, the Board may view this as:
- Praise
- Evidence of failure to pay
- Tax issue
- Permit problem
Answer
B — Pay downstream parties timely.
60. On the exam, if a question mentions unlicensed activity, monetary limit, advertising, orders, or QI notifications, your quickest move is:
- Safety tab
- Liens tab
- Compliance/Discipline tab
- Estimating tab
Answer
C — You pre-highlighted this section.
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