In California I have been told that minimum wage for a mechanic who
supplies his own tools is double the normal minimum wage. But I cannot
find the pertinent regulation. Is it true?

Dear Vulture33-ga,

Yes, if your employer requires you to provide your own tools--you must
be paid at least two times the minimum wage--otherwise the employer
must provide and maintain the tools.  If you are an apprentice?the
regulation may not apply to you.

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The regulation is:

TITLE 8.  INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS  
DIVISION 1.  DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS  
CHAPTER 5.  INDUSTRIAL WELFARE COMMISSION  
GROUP 2.  INDUSTRY AND OCCUPATION ORDERS  
ARTICLE 4.  PROFESSIONAL, TECHNICAL, CLERICAL, MECHANICAL, AND SIMILAR
OCCUPATIONS (WAGE ORDER 4-2001, EFFECTIVE 1-1-2001)

Pertinent part of regulation is in Section (B) below:

9. Uniforms and Equipment

(A) When uniforms are required by the employer to be worn by the
employee as a condition of employment, such uniforms shall be provided
and maintained by the employer. The term "uniform" includes wearing
apparel and accessories of distinctive design or color.

NOTE: This section shall not apply to protective apparel regulated by
the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board.

(B) When tools or equipment are required by the employer or are
necessary to the performance of a job, such tools and equipment shall
be provided and maintained by the employer, except that an employee
whose wages are at least two (2) times the minimum wage provided
herein may be required to provide and maintain hand tools and
equipment customarily required by the trade or craft. This subsection
(B) shall not apply to apprentices regularly indentured under the
State Division of Apprenticeship Standards.


The full regulation can be found at:

"California Code of Regulations"
http://www.calregs.com/

Full link:
http://www.calregs.com/cgi-bin/om_isapi.dll?clientID=75919&hitsperheading=on&infobase=ccr&record={2001E}&softpage=Document42

My search criteria in Google was:

"california regulations"

Let me know if you need anything else.

I hope this helps.

Thanks,

bobcooper-ga