Cement Finishing Contractor (Commercial)

Cement finishing contractors, also known as concrete mason contractors, contract with clients to smooth and finish surfaces of poured concrete, such as floors, walks, sidewalks, roads or curbs, using a variety of hand and power tools; align forms for sidewalks, curbs or gutters; patch voids; and use saws to cut expansion joints. Typically, only contractors require licenses, not the cement finishers who work for them. In some states, licensing requirements differ based on the setting. Those with a residential license may work only on residential properties, while those with a commercial license may work on commercial properties. Other states require the same license regardless of the setting, and this report records that license in both settings. Many states have contract minimums before the contractor’s license applies. See Appendix B for details.

Twenty-four states license cement finishing contractors working on commercial properties. Ten states require between two and five years of experience working under a licensed contractor. Alabama and Mississippi require completion of three contracted jobs. Twelve states require no experience. On average, states require 508 days of education and experience, $365 in fees ($1,078 in Nevada), and about one exam. These high barriers give commercial cement finishing contractors the 27th most burdensome requirements of the 102 occupations studied.

Burden Rank	State	States Licensed	Fees	Estimated Calendar Days Lost	Education	Experience	Exams	Minimum Grade	Minimum Age
1	Arkansas	24	$180.00	1,825	-	5 years	1	0	0
2	Nevada	24	$1,078.25	1,460	-	4 years	2	0	18
3	California	24	$579.00	1,460	-	4 years	3	0	18
4	Arizona	24	$686.00	1,460	-	4 years	2	0	18
5	Hawaii	24	$615.00	1,460	-	4 years	2	0	18
6	Oregon	24	$410.00	1,463	16 clock hours	4 years	1	0	18
7	New Mexico	24	$317.76	730	-	2 years	2	0	18
8	Virginia	24	$320.00	731	8 clock hours	2 years	1	0	18
9	Utah	24	$549.00	733	20 clock hours	2 years	2	0	0
10	South Carolina	24	$325.00	730	-	2 years	2	0	0
11	Mississippi	24	$640.00	67	-	3 jobs, contractors	2	0	0
12	Alabama	24	$492.00	67	-	3 jobs, contractors	2	0	0
13	Louisiana	24	$460.00	0	-	-	2	0	0
14	Rhode Island	24	$200.00	1	5 clock hours	-	0	0	18
15	West Virginia	24	$174.00	0	-	-	2	0	0
16	D C	24	$654.50	0	-	-	0	0	0
17	North Dakota	24	$125.00	0	-	-	0	0	18
18	Tennessee	24	$305.00	0	-	-	1	0	0
19	North Carolina	24	$145.00	0	-	-	1	0	0
20	Alaska	24	$300.00	0	-	-	0	0	0
21	Washington	24	$113.40	0	-	-	0	0	0
22	Iowa	24	$50.00	0	-	-	0	0	0
23	Idaho	24	$30.00	0	-	-	0	0	0
24	Nebraska	24	$0.00	0	-	-	0	0	0