Washington contractor compliance
Washington Contractor License, Bond, and Insurance Guides
Washington contractor compliance starts with the type of work your business performs. General construction contractors register with L&I. Electrical and plumbing businesses follow separate L&I licensing paths.
Washington contractor guides
General contractor license and registration Registration, fee, bond, insurance, renewal, and lookup links. Contractor license bond requirements General and specialty contractor bond amounts with official sources. Contractor insurance requirements Liability insurance limits and certificate-holder rules. Contractor license renewal Renewal period, fee, bond updates, and insurance updates. Contractor license cost guide Application fee, renewal fee, bond amounts, and insurance minimums. Washington L&I contractor lookup How to use the L&I Verify tool and what to check in the result. Specialty contractor registration Specialty contractor scope, bond amount, fee, and insurance notes. Electrical contractor license Electrical license type, continuing education, and bond notes. Plumbing contractor license Plumbing license, CE notes, separate bond, and insurance certificate.
Requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Verified value | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| General construction contractor | Register with WA L&I; not a general exam-based license | L&I current Construction Contractors Must Be Registered / Contractor Specialties |
| General contractor bond | $30,000 | L&I current Step 2: Purchase your surety bond and insurance |
| Specialty contractor bond | $15,000 | L&I current Step 2: Purchase your surety bond and insurance |
| General liability insurance | $200,000 public liability + $50,000 property damage or $250,000 combined single limit | L&I current Insurance |
| Electrical contractor path | Separate L&I electrical contractor license | L&I current Electrical Contractor / License requirements |
| Plumbing contractor path | Separate L&I plumbing contractor license | L&I current Licensed Plumbing Contractor |
How to use this hub
- Choose the guide that matches the work you perform.
- Confirm the official L&I requirement before acting.
- Use the bond and insurance guides only after you understand the registration or license path.
- Use Washington’s official lookup link when you need to verify a contractor record.
Official sources
- https://www.lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/contractors/register-as-a-contractor/ L&I current · Construction Contractors Must Be Registered / Contractor Specialties / Step 2: Purchase your surety bond and insurance / Insurance
- https://www.lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/electrical/electrical-licensing-exams-education/electrical-contractor L&I current · Electrical Contractor / License requirements
- https://www.lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/plumbing/licensed-plumbing-contractor/ L&I current · Licensed Plumbing Contractor
FAQ
Does Washington use contractor licenses or registrations?
Washington construction contractors register with L&I. Some trades, including electrical and plumbing, have separate L&I licensing requirements.
Which Washington contractor guide should I start with?
Start with the general contractor registration guide if you bid or perform construction work. Use the electrical or plumbing guides if your business performs those regulated trades.
Are bond and insurance requirements the same for every trade?
No. General and specialty contractor registration, electrical contractor licensing, and plumbing contractor licensing have different bond or insurance details.