Washington contractor license requirements

Licenses and registrations

General contractor registration

Contractors who do most kinds of construction work and hire subcontractors in more than one specialty.

• Good to know: $30,000 bond. Plumbing, electrical, elevator, mobile home installation, boiler and asbestos work have their own education, exam and licensing rules.

Specialty contractor registration

Contractors who work in one registered specialty only (L&I regulates 63 specialties, listed in WAC 296-200A-016).

• Good to know: $15,000 bond. Specialty contractors cannot hire subcontractors. A general contractor that switches to specialty cannot lower its bond for 2 years.

What you need to qualify

• Exams: No exam is required for general or specialty contractor registration. Plumbing, electrical, elevator, mobile home installation, boiler and asbestos work have separate exam and licensing requirements.
• Insurance: General liability insurance of $200,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit. L&I must be listed as certificate holder. Renewal requires a new certificate for at least $250,000.
• Bond: Continuous Contractor's Surety Bond of $30,000 for general contractors or $15,000 for specialty contractors (amounts increased July 1, 2024). An assigned savings account at a Washington bank branch can be used instead.
• Business registration: Register the business with the Department of Revenue and get a Uniform Business Identifier (UBI). LLCs and corporations must be formed through the Secretary of State.
• Also required: The registration number must appear on advertising, bids, estimates and business communications. Paper applications must be original and notarized.

Fees, renewal and continuing education

• Fees: Initial registration $150.20. Renewal $150.20. Reinstatement after suspension $70.90.
• Renewal: Every 2 years. A certificate of registration is valid for two years (RCW 18.27.060).
• Continuing education: No continuing education requirement is stated for general or specialty contractor registration. Electrical and plumbing licenses have their own rules.

Contracts and homeowner protections

For residential work on four or fewer units or accessory structures, contractors must give the customer the L&I Model Disclosure Statement before starting work when the bid or contract price is $1,000 or more, and keep a signed copy for three years. The disclosure is a prerequisite to filing a lien. (Commercial jobs of $1,000 to under $60,000 also need it.) An unregistered contractor cannot sue to collect payment. Lead-based paint work on pre-1978 homes may require Department of Commerce certification.

Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work

L&I runs electrical licensing and plumber certification, which are separate from contractor registration. Boilers, elevators, mobile home installation and asbestos work also have separate L&I requirements.

City and county rules

A state business license through the Department of Revenue is required. Building permit offices must verify contractor registration before issuing permits (RCW 18.27.110). Check with the city or county for local business license endorsements.

Working without a license

Working as a contractor without registration is a gross misdemeanor. Each day worked unregistered after an L&I citation, and each worksite, can be a separate offense. Violations can also be handled as infractions. Unregistered contractors cannot sue to collect. Advertising violations can carry a penalty of up to $10,000 after a hearing.

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:

• Dollar amounts of infraction penalties for unregistered contracting (RCW 18.27.340 / WAC schedule).
• Whether HVAC work requires an L&I electrical specialty license.
• City business license endorsement rules for contractors.
• Details of the homeowner recovery program (RCW 18.27.410-.420).

Sources

1. L&I Register as a Contractor
2. L&I Renew Your Contractor Registration
3. RCW 18.27.020 Registration required, prohibited acts, penalties
4. Chapter 18.27 RCW Registration of Contractors (full text)
5. Chapter 18.27 RCW (section list)