I am currenlty waiting for the state (CA) to approve my app. for testing for the Elec. Contractors Lic. and need to start working. It could be months ( already 5 mos. ) before anything happens do to cutbacks within the state departments. I am just coming off of temperary disability ( 3 years now ) and can't work in the field for another contractor do to my injury. Anybody have any Ideas, I don't want to do anything illegal but need to pay the bills!! Eric

It is a hard call. Particularly at a site like this, where licenses and insurance are encouraged.
That being said, if you need to feed your family, you may be able to do work as a "handyman".
If you choose this route, keep in mind that you will be held liable for any problems (no matter how serious) resulting from inferior work.
BTW,
Is it possible in CA to obtain liability insurance without a state approved license?

Stingray,

Do you have any any experience working as an estimator? You might find a job just going out and estimating jobs. How about troubleshooting? You might be able to do that? As an electrical Journeyman? Or Billing? It might get you a desk job until you get better.

I have never done any real estimating, it's never appealed to me to become one. I did find out about the Handyman classification which can be rolled over to contractor when the license is issued without extra cost. I am going to find out about a bond or some kind of insurance to cover anything, not that I do sloppy work, it's just sue happy people blaming you for some catastrophy not related to the work. Troubleshooting would be great, I love doing that, wish I had alot more experiance with it.