42. A licensed contractor enters into a joint venture with a company that is NOT a licensed contractor. The joint venture MUST

Answer: D

Explanation:

The joint venture MUST obtain a contractor license.

In a joint venture involving a licensed contractor and a company that is not licensed, the joint venture is required to obtain a contractor license to legally operate. This ensures compliance with regulations governing contracting work.

A) have the licensed contractor be the managing partner.

While it is common for the licensed contractor to take a leadership role in such arrangements, this option does not fulfill the legal requirement for the joint venture to operate. The key issue is not about management structure but rather obtaining the necessary licensing to conduct contracting work.

B) engage only in work with a value less than $70,000.

Limiting work to a specific value does not exempt the joint venture from the requirement to hold a contractor license. Regardless of the project size, the joint venture must be licensed to perform any contracting services legally.

C) register as a foreign company.

Registering as a foreign company is irrelevant to the licensing requirements of the joint venture. This option does not address the need for the joint venture to have a contractor license to operate legally within the contracting industry.

D) obtain a contractor license.

This is the correct answer because a joint venture that includes an unlicensed company must secure a contractor license to ensure that all legal and regulatory obligations are met. Without this license, the joint venture would be operating illegally.

Conclusion

The necessity for a contractor license is critical for any joint venture engaged in contracting work, particularly when one partner is unlicensed. All other options fail to address this fundamental requirement, reinforcing that obtaining a contractor license is essential for legal compliance and operational legitimacy in the construction industry.