District of Columbia contractor license requirements

Licenses and registrations

Home Improvement Contractor (Basic Business License category)

Contractors doing home improvement work.

• Good to know: $25,000 surety bond. Liability insurance minimums under 16 DCMR § 803.2. Must designate and maintain a Basic Business License for at least one Home Improvement Salesperson. Not eligible for the 6-month license term.

General Contractor/Construction Manager Class H

General contractors and construction managers.

• When it applies: Single projects up to $500,000.
• Good to know: Commercial general liability of $500,000 per occurrence.

General Contractor/Construction Manager Class G

General contractors and construction managers.

• When it applies: Single projects up to $2,000,000.
• Good to know: CGL of $500,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 aggregate.

General Contractor/Construction Manager Class C

General contractors and construction managers.

• When it applies: Single projects up to $5,000,000.
• Good to know: CGL of $500,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 aggregate.

General Contractor/Construction Manager Class B

General contractors and construction managers.

• When it applies: Single projects up to $10,000,000.
• Good to know: CGL of $1,500,000 per occurrence (primary or umbrella).

General Contractor/Construction Manager Class A

General contractors and construction managers.

• When it applies: No limit on contract value.
• Good to know: CGL of $2,500,000 per occurrence (primary or umbrella).

Home Improvement Salesperson (Employee/Independent Salesperson license)

Salespeople for home improvement contractors and for general contractors doing residential work.

• Good to know: Must be tied to a Home Improvement Contractor or General Contractor/Construction Manager license. Requires a passport-style photo, driver's license and police criminal history report.

What you need to qualify

• Insurance: Home Improvement Contractor (16 DCMR § 803.2): liability insurance of at least $50,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in a single accident, $100,000 aggregate for more than one person in a single accident, and $10,000 for property damage in a single accident. General Contractor/Construction Manager (17 DCMR § 3902.1): from $500,000 per occurrence (Class H) up to $2,500,000 per occurrence (Class A).
• Bond: Home Improvement Contractor: $25,000 surety bond.
• Business registration: Complete the steps for a DC Basic Business License, including Tax Registration and a Clean Hands Certificate, corporate registration with DLCP if applicable, and a Certificate of Occupancy or Home Occupation Permit. All applications are filed online through BOSS (boss.dc.gov).
• Also required: Home Improvement Contractor applicants also submit their home improvement contract (DLCP provides a sample) and a police criminal history report. General contractors doing residential work must designate at least one licensed Home Improvement Salesperson.

Fees, renewal and continuing education

• Fees: General Contractor/Construction Manager: $49.00 for a 6-month license, $99.00 for a 2-year license, $198.00 for a 4-year license. Home Improvement Contractor: $99.00 for 2 years or $198.00 for 4 years. Employee/Independent Salesperson: $49.00 (6 months), $99.00 (2 years), $198.00 (4 years).
• Renewal: License terms are 2 years or 4 years (6 months is also available for general contractors and salespeople, but not home improvement contractors).

Contracts and homeowner protections

Home improvement contractors must designate a licensed Home Improvement Salesperson and submit their contract form with the application. DLCP's sample contract includes a notice that if the contract was solicited at or near the homeowner's residence, the buyer may cancel by mailing notice before midnight of the third business day after signing, and the seller may not keep any part of the cash down payment. It also says the homeowner is entitled to a copy of the contract at signing and that any addendum describing the full scope of work must be in writing and signed by both parties.

Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work

The DC Board of Industrial Trades (part of DLCP's Occupational and Professional Licensing) licenses electricians, plumbers and gas fitters, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics, asbestos workers, steam and other operating engineers, and elevator trades.

City and county rules

DC is a single jurisdiction, so the DLCP Basic Business License is the only contractor business license. There is no separate city or county layer.

Working without a license

DLCP's civil fine schedule (effective January 1, 2026) sets first-offense fines by class, from $64 (Class 5) to $12,744 (Class 6), with Class 1 at $2,549. The page does not say which class applies to unlicensed contracting.

What to confirm with the state

We couldn't confirm these on an official page when we checked. Ask the licensing office before you rely on them:

• The dollar threshold that triggers the Home Improvement Contractor license (16 DCMR Chapter 8).
• Any deposit or advance-payment limit for home improvement contracts.
• Exam or experience requirements (none listed on DLCP pages).
• Which fine class applies to unlicensed home improvement or general contracting, and any criminal penalties.
• Continuing education requirements.

Sources

1. DLCP Home
2. DLCP Business Licensing Division
3. DLCP General Contractor/Construction Manager and Home Improvement Contractor
4. DLCP Employee/Independent Salesperson
5. DLCP Mandatory Insurance Levels and Claims Support
6. DLCP Insurance Education Center
7. DLCP Home Improvement Contract (Sample)
8. DLCP Home Improvement Contract Sample (Fillable PDF)
9. DLCP Professional Licensing (OPL)
10. DLCP Board of Industrial Trades
11. DLCP Schedule of Fines