I am Matthew Gatterman, Founder of Avant-Garde Construction Enterprise, a second-generation seismic retrofit contractor from the San Francisco Bay Area. My family and I have dedicated our lives to ensuring the safety and stability of buildings through seismic retrofitting—a craft my father pioneered starting in 1992 after more than two decades in the construction industry across three states.

Earthquake Brace & Bolt’s certification requires only a simple, open-book online test—no specialized license exists for seismic retrofitting, which is a concern.

It is a "retake as many times as needed until you pass" type of thing.

Despite the critical importance of seismic retrofitting, I have witnessed a concerning trend: numerous contractors offering these specialized services lack genuine experience or training in seismic safety. The safety of our communities cannot be left in inexperienced hands. It is crucial that we implement a system to guarantee that only qualified, competent professionals undertake this work.

Currently, the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) does not require a specialized license for performing seismic retrofits in California. This oversight means that property owners often unknowingly hire unqualified contractors, putting their safety at risk and wasting resources on subpar work. According to the United States Geological Survey, California is one of the most seismically active states, making it imperative that retrofit work is executed competently and confidently.

By establishing a specific licensing category within the CSLB for seismic retrofits, we can ensure that contractors meet rigorous standards and acquire the necessary training and expertise. Such a move will not only enhance public safety but also elevate the standards within the industry, making certain that only those with true qualifications are entrusted with safeguarding our homes and businesses.

Moreover, creating a specialty license will help homeowners make informed decisions when hiring contractors, ensuring transparency and trust in the services they receive. This move will protect consumers and ensure that funds allocated for earthquake preparedness are used effectively to strengthen our communities.

Why This Problem Is Even More Urgent
Your family and loved ones deserve the very best when it comes to seismic protection—and the unfortunate truth is that many contractors performing this work are doing it dangerously wrong. Even worse, much of this incorrect work is still being approved under programs like EBB because inspectors rarely, if ever, verify compliance beyond a cursory check.

My company has personally photographed clear code violations—missing hardware, undersized components, unsafe installations, fraudulent “before and after” photos, and blatant deviations from prescriptive plans—and reported these issues to EBB, FEMA, the CSLB, and local building departments. Despite this, enforcement action almost never occurs unless the homeowner is willing to pursue the contractor in court. Most do not. Many simply absorb the financial loss and move on, leaving their home in a condition no safer than before.

Homeowners cannot currently rely on the building department, inspectors, EBB, FEMA, CEA, or even the CSLB to ensure seismic work is performed correctly or to enforce corrective action when it is not. These gaps create a false sense of security for homeowners while exposing entire communities to unnecessary risk in the next earthquake. 

This must change.

This is precisely why implementing a dedicated seismic-retrofit license is not just beneficial—it is essential.

Join Me in Taking Action
Join me in urging the CSLB to take action. Sign this petition to demand the introduction of a specialty license for seismic retrofit contractors—one that finally ensures only trained, proven, and qualified professionals are allowed to perform this critical work.

But we also must go further.

We call on the CSLB to adopt more stringent requirements, stricter oversight, and real enforcement mechanisms for contractors performing seismic retrofits. This includes the development of meaningful partnerships with local building departments and inspectors—requiring them to uphold the same standards of verification, accountability, and code compliance.

California cannot continue allowing seismic retrofit work to go unverified, uninspected, or unenforced. Our state agencies must work together to ensure that the safety of our homes and families is never compromised by insufficient oversight or unchecked contractor misconduct.

Together, we can demand higher standards, stronger accountability, and a safer, better-prepared future for all Californians. Sign this petition and help us drive real, lasting reform.