Section 43-41-16. Grounds for revocation of license; authorized action by division in event of wrongdoing; interest and penalties; continuing education as requirement for resumption of standing

   (a) The board shall have the authority to refuse to grant a license to an applicant or to revoke the license of a person licensed by the board or to discipline a person licensed by the board upon a finding by a majority of the board that the applicant or licensee has committed any of the following acts:

   (1) Obtaining a license by fraud or misrepresentation or otherwise knowingly giving false or forged evidence to the board or its divisions;

   (2) Being convicted or found guilty of or entering a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a criminal act constituting a felony in any jurisdiction which directly relates to the practice of residential or general contracting or the ability to practice contracting;

   (3) Performing any act which assists a person or entity in the prohibited unlicensed practice of contracting if the licensee knows or has reasonable grounds to know that the person or entity is unlicensed;

   (4) Knowingly combining or conspiring with an unlicensed person by allowing his or her license to be used with the intent to evade the provisions of this chapter. When an individual license holder allows his or her license to be used to qualify one or more business organizations, including where such qualifying agent for a person engaged in general contracting does not actually possess and exercise the power and authority required of a qualifying agent under paragraph (7) of Code Section 43-41-2 and Code Section 43-41-9, such act constitutes prima-facie evidence of an intent to evade the provisions of this chapter;

   (5) Failing in any material respect to comply with the provisions of this chapter or violating a rule, regulation, or lawful order of the board or its divisions;

   (6) Abandoning a construction project in which the contractor who is the individual license holder or a business organization for whom the license holder is a qualifying agent is engaged or under contract as a residential or general contractor. A project may be presumed abandoned after 90 days if the contractor has ceased work on or terminated performance on the project without just cause and without proper notification to the owner, including the reason for the termination, cessation, or abandonment;

   (7) Signing a statement with respect to a project or contract falsely indicating that the work is bonded; knowingly and falsely indicating by written statement issued to the owner that payment has been made for all subcontracted work, labor, and materials and for all materials furnished and installed which statement is reasonably relied upon and actually results in a financial loss to the owner; or falsely indicating that workers' compensation and general liability insurance are provided;

   (8) Committing fraud or deceit in the practice of contracting, including falsely advertising, representing, or holding himself or herself or an affiliated business organization out as having a valid and current license under this chapter;

   (9) Committing gross negligence, repeated or persistent negligence, or negligence resulting in a significant danger to life or property;

   (10) Proceeding on any job without obtaining applicable local building permits and inspections;

   (11) Using or attempting to use a license that has expired or has been suspended or revoked;

   (12) Knowingly or intentionally engaging any subcontractor to perform work within the scope of the general or residential construction contract which requires a license under Chapter 14 of this title who does not possess a current and valid license for such work; or

   (13) Failing to satisfy within a reasonable time the terms of a final civil judgment obtained against the licensee or the business organization qualified by the licensee relating to the practice of the licensee's profession.

(b) The appropriate division may take any one or more of the following actions against any license holder found by the division to have committed any one or more of the acts listed in subsection (a) of this Code section:

   (1) Place the license holder on probation or reprimand the license holder;

   (2) Revoke a license, including the license of a person as an individual as well as that of a qualifying agent of a business organization together with the interest of the business organization qualified thereby in such license; suspend such a license for a stated period of time not exceeding one year; or deny the issuance or renewal of the license;

   (3) Require financial restitution to a consumer for financial harm directly related to a violation of a provision of this chapter;

   (4) Impose an administrative fine not to exceed $5,000.00 for each violation;

   (5) Require continuing education; or

   (6) Assess costs associated with the investigation and prosecution.

(c) In determining penalties in any final order of the board or a division, the board or division shall follow the penalty guidelines established by the board's or division's rules and regulations.

(d) The board or a division may assess interest or penalties on all fines imposed under this chapter against any person or business organization which has not paid the imposed fine by the due date established by rule, regulation, or final order.

(e) If the board or a division finds any contractor has violated the provisions of this chapter, the board or division may as a part of its disciplinary action require such contractor to obtain continuing education in the areas of contracting affected by such violation.

Code 1981, § 43-41-16, enacted by Ga. L. 2004, p. 786, § 1.