What might trigger the registrar to issue a civil penalty to a licensee?

The registrar may issue a civil penalty to a licensee for bidding while on inactive status because it represents a violation of the licensing regulations. A licensee must maintain an active status to legally bid on projects, as it ensures they are authorized to undertake the work they are proposing. Bidding on projects while not in active status demonstrates a disregard for the legal requirements governing contractor operations, which is taken seriously by the registrar. This violation not only undermines the integrity of the licensing system but can also lead to potential harm to consumers who rely on licensed professionals to complete their projects.

In contrast, not displaying a license at the job site may not necessarily trigger a civil penalty, as this could sometimes be seen as a minor oversight. Failing to pay employees, while a serious issue, often falls under labor laws rather than directly correlating with the registrarial obligations. Lastly, not completing a job on time may result in contractual disputes but does not automatically invoke a civil penalty from the registrar unless it violates specific licensing conditions.