Washington General Contractor License Requirements

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

🏗️ General ContractorWA ✔ Verified 2026-10-01

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.
Check the insurance rules. Liability: $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' 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.
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — $150.20 (initial registration) application fee, plus a $150.20 (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. Renewal: Every 2 years from date of registration.

For the general path in every state, see the General Contractor guide →

Washington general contractor license lookup

To confirm a general contractor is properly licensed in Washington — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Verify a license now: Search the official secure.lni.wa.gov database →

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	$150.20 (initial registration)
License fee	$150.20 (included in registration fee)
Renewal fee	$150.20 every 2 years; reinstatement: $70.90 (WAC 296-200A-900, effective 2026-07-01)
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. · other states' agreements
Processing time	Same-day if completed in-person with all documents; 3–4 weeks by mail. Registration card arrives approximately 2 weeks after approval.

What a Washington general contractor license costs

Application fee	$150.20 (initial registration).
License fee	$150.20 (included in registration fee).
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. A bond's premium is a percentage of the bond amount, set by the surety.
Renewal fee	$150.20 every 2 years; reinstatement: $70.90 (WAC 296-200A-900, effective 2026-07-01).
Renewal period	Every 2 years from date of registration.

Exams

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

Renewing a Washington general contractor license

The General Contractor Registration renews on a fixed cycle set by the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.

Renewal period	Every 2 years from date of registration.
Renewal fee	$150.20 every 2 years; reinstatement: $70.90 (WAC 296-200A-900, effective 2026-07-01)
Continuing education	None required.
Where to renew	Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)

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: $150.20 (initial registration). License: $150.20 (included in registration fee). Renewal: $150.20 every 2 years; reinstatement: $70.90 (WAC 296-200A-900, effective 2026-07-01).

How do I look up a general contractor license in Washington?

Search the official license database at secure.lni.wa.gov. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

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. 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' 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 long does it take to get a Washington general contractor license?

Processing time: Same-day if completed in-person with all documents; 3–4 weeks by mail. Registration card arrives approximately 2 weeks after approval.

Is a background check required for general contractors in Washington?

Background check: Not required. L&I does not conduct criminal background checks for contractor registration.

How often must a Washington general contractor license be renewed?

Every 2 years from date of registration. Continuing education: None required.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-10-01 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) before applying. This is not legal advice.