Washington General Contractor License Requirements

Official classification: General Contractor Registration · Issued by the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).

🏗️ General ContractorWA ✔ Verified 2026-06-22

In Washington, general contractors must hold the General Contractor Registration, issued by the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), and a $30,000 surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed general contractor in Washington

Follow these steps to earn your General Contractor Registration. Every figure is verified against the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I); full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. None required. Washington does not mandate any experience verification for contractor registration.
Confirm exam requirements. Washington sets no state trade exam for this license, though your city or county may require one.
Secure your surety bond. Washington requires $30,000 Washington Continuous Contractor's Surety Bond (general contractor); $15,000 (specialty contractor). Bond amounts increased from $12,000/$6,000 effective July 1, 2024. Assignment of savings account (cash, CD, or money market) accepted as alternative.
Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance ($200,000 public liability + $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit. L&I must be listed as certificate holder.), and workers' compensation coverage.
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — $141.10 (initial registration) application fee, plus a $141.10 (included in registration fee) license fee. Processing time: Same-day if completed in-person with all documents; 3–4 weeks by mail. Registration card arrives approximately 2 weeks after approval.
Keep the license active. Renew every 2 years from date of registration.

License types

General Contractor — May perform projects requiring more than one building trade and may hire licensed specialty subcontractors. Cannot directly perform plumbing, electrical, elevator, mobile home installation, boiler, or asbestos work without additional credentials.
Specialty Contractor — Registered to perform work in a single specialty trade only (63 specialties recognized by L&I). Cannot hire subcontractors.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	None required. Washington does not mandate any experience verification for contractor registration.
Application fee	$141.10 (initial registration)
License fee	$141.10 (included in registration fee)
Renewal fee	$141.10 every 2 years; reinstatement: $66.60
Renewal period	Every 2 years from date of registration.
Continuing education	None required.
Bond required	$30,000 Washington Continuous Contractor's Surety Bond (general contractor); $15,000 (specialty contractor). Bond amounts increased from $12,000/$6,000 effective July 1, 2024. Assignment of savings account (cash, CD, or money market) accepted as alternative.
Liability insurance	$200,000 public liability + $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit. L&I must be listed as certificate holder.
Property damage	$50,000 (standalone); or included in $250,000 combined single limit. Commercial auto: $25,000 bodily injury per person / $50,000 per accident / $10,000 property damage (commonly required).
Workers' comp	Required through L&I state fund if the business employs workers or engages subcontractors (Washington is a monopolistic workers' compensation state — private carriers not permitted). Solo operators with no employees may qualify for exemption.
Background check	Not required. L&I does not conduct criminal background checks for contractor registration.
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	None — Washington does not have reciprocal agreements with other states for general contractor registration.
Processing time	Same-day if completed in-person with all documents; 3–4 weeks by mail. Registration card arrives approximately 2 weeks after approval.

Exams

No examination required for contractor registration	Provider: — · Passing: — · Fee: —

Preparing for the General Contractor exam? State-specific contractor exam-prep courses help you pass the first time. Start exam prep →

Local / municipal notes

All bids, advertising, and business communications must display the contractor registration number. A notarized Application for Contractor Registration (Form F625-001-000) is required. A Washington UBI number (obtained from the Department of Revenue) must be in place before L&I can process the registration. A Model Disclosure Statement is required for residential projects over $1,000 and commercial projects between $1,000 and $60,000.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Washington general contractor license cost?

Application: $141.10 (initial registration). License: $141.10 (included in registration fee). Renewal: $141.10 every 2 years; reinstatement: $66.60.

Do general contractors in Washington need a surety bond?

$30,000 Washington Continuous Contractor's Surety Bond (general contractor); $15,000 (specialty contractor). Bond amounts increased from $12,000/$6,000 effective July 1, 2024. Assignment of savings account (cash, CD, or money market) accepted as alternative.

What experience is required for a Washington general contractor license?

None required. Washington does not mandate any experience verification for contractor registration.

Is insurance required for general contractors in Washington?

Liability: $200,000 public liability + $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit. L&I must be listed as certificate holder. Workers' compensation: Required through L&I state fund if the business employs workers or engages subcontractors (Washington is a monopolistic workers' compensation state — private carriers not permitted). Solo operators with no employees may qualify for exemption.

How often must a Washington general contractor license be renewed?

Every 2 years from date of registration..

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-22 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) before applying. This is not legal advice.