Not a government site. Always confirm with the licensing board before you apply. About us

State License Requirements
Menu

How to get a General Contractor registration in Washington

Washington licenses general contractors statewide through the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).1 The board lists $150.20 for the application2. You renew every 2 years1.

Last checked · 5 official sources

Who issues it

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)

Exam

Not required2

Fees the board lists

Application fee: $150.202

Renewal

Every 2 years1

From another state

No reciprocity route1

On this page
  1. Washington general contractor licenses
  2. Applies to every license level
  3. Who needs a General Contractor registration
  4. Requirements for a General Contractor registration
  5. How to apply
  6. Renewal and continuing education
  7. Specialty Contractor registration
  8. City and county rules
  9. Check a license or report a problem
  10. Laws and rules
  11. Rule changes since January 2024
  12. Common questions
  13. General contractor licenses in other states

Washington general contractor licenses

Washington issues 2 general contractor credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

LicenseWhat it coversExamApplication or license fee
General Contractor (Construction Contractor Registration)General contractors can perform most types of construction work. They can hire subcontractors in multiple specialties.3No2$150.202
Specialty Contractor (Construction Contractor Registration)Specialty contractors can only perform work in the specialty they are registered in. They cannot hire subcontractors.3No2$150.202

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for every Washington general contractor license on this page, so they are shown once here. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

Requirements

Minimum age
18 years old2
Exam
Not required2
Background check
No fingerprints required2
Applications are denied for unsatisfied final judgments for contractor work or penalties/fees owed to L&I (including for owners/officers of prior entities and successors).4
Residency or citizenship
No residency requirement; out-of-state applicants may show workers' compensation coverage from their home state where an agreement exists.1
Social Security number
Each principal must provide a Social Security Number or ITIN4
Insurance
General liability insurance: $200,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit; L&I must be listed as certificate holder.3
Insurance
Workers' compensation (industrial insurance) account number if the business has employees in Washington.4
Business requirements
Register the business with the Department of Revenue (UBI number) before L&I can process the registration; corporations and LLCs file with the Secretary of State first.4
Business requirements
A savings account assigned to L&I can replace the bond.3
Also required
Display the registration number in all advertising, bids and business communications.3
Also required
Give customers the Model Disclosure Statement for residential jobs of $1,000 or more and commercial jobs of $1,000 to $60,000.3

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$150.202L&IEffective July 1, 2026
Duplicate or replacement license$16.502L&IEffective July 1, 2026
License verification to another state$33.802L&IEffective July 1, 2026

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

  1. Choose the business structure; corporations and LLCs file with the Secretary of State, then every business files a Business License Application with the Department of Revenue to get a UBI number.4
  2. Buy general liability insurance ($250,000 combined or $200,000/$50,000) listing L&I as certificate holder.3
  3. Complete the Application for Contractor Registration (F625-001-000); every owner/partner/officer signs and each signature is notarized.3 Form (PDF, lni.wa.gov)3
  4. Submit the application, bond, insurance certificate and $150.20 fee at a local L&I office or by mail to Contractor Registration, P.O. Box 44450, Olympia, WA 98504-4450.3
Application form
Form (PDF, lni.wa.gov)3
Processing time
Mailed applications take 3-4 weeks to process; registration card arrives in about 2 weeks.3

Renewal

How often
Every 2 years1
When it expires
Valid two years from issuance, renewal or reregistration; L&I mails a renewal notice no more than 45 days before expiry.2
Renewal fee
$150.202
Late renewal
Reinstatement fee: $70.902
If it expires
A contractor that keeps its bond and insurance is not treated as unregistered for the first 30 days after the registration lapses.1
Suspended registrations (lapsed bond/insurance, unsatisfied judgment) are reinstated online or in person after fixing the problem and paying $70.90.3
Renew online
lni.wa.gov3

From another state

Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
No reciprocity is needed or offered: there is no exam, so out-of-state contractors register on the same terms (UBI, bond, insurance, fee); workers' compensation from the home state is accepted only where an interstate agreement exists.1

Who needs a General Contractor registration

General contractors can perform most types of construction work. They can hire subcontractors in multiple specialties.3

Exemptions and dollar thresholds:

  • Jobs whose total price for labor and materials is under $500 are exempt, unless part of a larger operation or split into smaller contracts.1
  • Work on your own property or personal residence is exempt unless done to sell, demolish or lease it.1
  • Certified electricians and plumbers working within their certification are exempt from contractor registration (they hold separate licenses).3

Requirements for a General Contractor registration

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

Surety bond
$30,0002 (Bond amount (penal sum), not a fee paid to L&I; higher amounts after final judgments on residential single-family work)

How to apply

  1. Buy a Washington Continuous Contractor Surety Bond of $30,000 (or assign a savings account) in the exact business name.3 Form (PDF, lni.wa.gov)3

Renewal and continuing education

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your Washington General Contractor (Construction Contractor Registration). The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Specialty Contractor registration

Specialty contractors can only perform work in the specialty they are registered in. They cannot hire subcontractors.3

Requirements

Surety bond
$15,0002 (Bond amount (penal sum), not a fee paid to L&I; higher amounts after final judgments on residential single-family work)

How to apply

  1. Buy a Washington Continuous Contractor Surety Bond of $15,000 (or assign a savings account) in the exact business name.3 Form (PDF, lni.wa.gov)3

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

General Contractor (Construction Contractor Registration)Contractor registration is statewide (L&I). Cities such as Seattle additionally require a city business license tax certificate, including for subcontractors and businesses based outside the city.5

City or countyWhat it requiresLink
SeattleSeattle business license tax certificate, renewed each year by Dec. 31; from 2026 not required if Seattle gross income is $4,000 or less and there is no place of business in the city.5Official page5

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a general contractor in Washington, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Washington is on the Washington license lookup page.

Look up a license
secure.lni.wa.gov3

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Rule changes since January 2024

  • July 1, 2026: Contractor registration fees set at $150.20 (issue/renew) and $70.90 (reinstatement) by WSR 26-10-060.2 Homeowner recovery program: eligible homeowners can recover unpaid judgments up to $25,000 per contractor per parcel.2
  • July 1, 2024: Bond amounts rose to $30,000 (general) and $15,000 (specialty).3

Common questions

Can I transfer my general contractor license to Washington?

No reciprocity is needed or offered: there is no exam, so out-of-state contractors register on the same terms (UBI, bond, insurance, fee); workers' compensation from the home state is accepted only where an interstate agreement exists.1 Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a General Contractor registration in Washington?

Every 2 years1. The renewal fee is $150.202.

General contractor licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

  1. RCW 18.27 Registration of contractors (full chapter)Washington State Legislature (Revised Code of Washington)Checked November 6, 2026
  2. WAC 296-200A Contractor certificate of registration renewals—Security—Insurance (full chapter)Washington State Legislature (Washington Administrative Code)Checked November 6, 2026
  3. Register as a ContractorWashington State Department of Labor & IndustriesChecked November 6, 2026
  4. Application for Contractor Registration (F625-001-000)Washington State Department of Labor & IndustriesChecked November 6, 2026
  5. Business LicensesCity of Seattle, Office of City FinanceChecked November 6, 2026