Washington contractor compliance
Washington General Contractor License Requirements
Last verified:
Washington does not issue a general contractor license through an exam the way some states do. Construction contractors must register with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries before bidding or doing work. Electrical and plumbing work can require separate L&I licenses.
Washington contractor registration requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Verified value | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Registration type | 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 | 200000 public liability + 50000 property damage OR 250000 combined single limit | L&I current Insurance |
| Application fee | $141.10 | L&I current How to register / Renew online / Renew by mail |
| Registration period | 2 years | RCW WAC WAC 296-200A-035 |
| Renewal fee | $141.10 | L&I current Renew online / Renew by mail |
General vs. specialty contractor
Washington distinguishes between general and specialty contractors. General contractors can perform most types of construction work and hire subcontractors in multiple specialties. Specialty contractors can only perform work in their registered specialty and cannot hire subcontractors.
That distinction affects the bond requirement: general contractors need a $30,000 bond, while specialty contractors need a $15,000 bond.
How registration, bond, and insurance fit together
Registration is the umbrella credential for construction contractors. To complete it, L&I requires the correct contractor bond, liability insurance, and the application fee.
- See Washington contractor bond requirements.
- See Washington contractor insurance requirements.
- See contractor bond vs. insurance if you are comparing the two requirements.
Step-by-step checklist
- Confirm whether you are registering as a general or specialty contractor.
- Get the correct surety bond: $30,000 general or $15,000 specialty.
- Get general liability insurance meeting Washington’s verified minimum.
- Submit the verified $141.10 application fee and registration materials to L&I.
- Keep registration current. The verified registration period is 2 years, and the verified renewal fee is $141.10.
Official contractor lookup
Washington’s official contractor lookup is the L&I Verify tool: https://secure.lni.wa.gov/verify/.
Official sources
- https://www.lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/contractors/register-as-a-contractor/ L&I current · Renew online / Renew by mail
- https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=296-200A-035 RCW WAC · WAC 296-200A-035
- https://secure.lni.wa.gov/verify/ L&I current · Verify a Contractor, Tradesperson or Business
- https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-200A RCW WAC · Chapter 296-200A WAC
FAQ
Does Washington have a general contractor license exam?
No. Washington construction contractors register with L&I rather than passing a general contractor licensing exam.
How much does Washington contractor registration cost?
The verified L&I application fee is $141.10. The verified renewal fee is $141.10.
How much is the Washington contractor bond?
The verified bond amount is $30,000 for a general contractor and $15,000 for a specialty contractor.
Do electrical or plumbing contractors need separate credentials?
Yes. Electrical and plumbing contracting follow separate L&I licensing paths with their own requirements.