Washington contractor license lookup
In Washington, every contractor must register with L&I. Working, bidding or advertising without it is a gross misdemeanor. Use the free L&I Verify tool to check a contractor. (source: RCW 18.27.020 (opens in a new tab), source: L&I: Verify a contractor, tradesperson or business (opens in a new tab))
Check a license on the L&I website (official site, opens in a new tab)
How: Look up the contractor and check the registration is active, plus workers' comp status, safety violations and bond lawsuits. (source: L&I: Verify a contractor, tradesperson or business (opens in a new tab))
Checked against official Washington State Department of Labor & Industries sources. See sources.
1. Who needs a license
Every contractor must register with L&I. Working, bidding or advertising without registration is a gross misdemeanor. (source: RCW 18.27.020 (opens in a new tab))
- Washington "registers" contractors. Electricians and plumbers are separately licensed or certified, also by L&I. (source: L&I: Register as a contractor (opens in a new tab), source: L&I: Electrician licensing (opens in a new tab))
Penalties for unregistered work
- Infractions include working, bidding or advertising unregistered, and hiring an unregistered subcontractor. Each day and each worksite counts separately. (source: RCW 18.27.200 (opens in a new tab))
- Fines are $200 to $10,000. For failure to register it is $1,200 to $10,000, which can drop to $600 for a first offense if you register within 10 days. (source: RCW 18.27.340 (opens in a new tab))
2. License types and classes
| Class | Name | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| General | General contractor | More than one trade; $30,000 bond (source: L&I: Register as a contractor (opens in a new tab)) |
| Specialty 1 | Appliances, equipment | Specialty contractor registration (one trade), $15,000 bond. (source: WAC 296-200A-016 (opens in a new tab)) |
| Specialty 2 | Asbestos and lead | Specialty contractor registration (one trade), $15,000 bond. (source: WAC 296-200A-016 (opens in a new tab)) |
| Specialty 3 | Awnings, canopies, patio covers and exterior screens | Specialty contractor registration (one trade), $15,000 bond. (source: WAC 296-200A-016 (opens in a new tab)) |
| Specialty 4 | Boiler, steam fitting, process piping | Specialty contractor registration (one trade), $15,000 bond. (source: WAC 296-200A-016 (opens in a new tab)) |
| Specialty 5 | Cabinets, millwork and finish carpentry | Specialty contractor registration (one trade), $15,000 bond. (source: WAC 296-200A-016 (opens in a new tab)) |
| Specialty 6 | Central vacuum systems | Specialty contractor registration (one trade), $15,000 bond. (source: WAC 296-200A-016 (opens in a new tab)) |
| Specialty 7 | Closets | Specialty contractor registration (one trade), $15,000 bond. (source: WAC 296-200A-016 (opens in a new tab)) |
| Specialty 8 | Commercial/industrial refrigeration | Specialty contractor registration (one trade), $15,000 bond. (source: WAC 296-200A-016 (opens in a new tab)) |
| Specialty 9 | Concrete | Specialty contractor registration (one trade), $15,000 bond. (source: WAC 296-200A-016 (opens in a new tab)) |
| Specialty 10 | Construction clean-up | Specialty contractor registration (one trade), $15,000 bond. (source: WAC 296-200A-016 (opens in a new tab)) |
| Specialty 11 | Demolitions and salvage | Specialty contractor registration (one trade), $15,000 bond. (source: WAC 296-200A-016 (opens in a new tab)) |
3. Required insurance and bonds
Bond
$30,000 bond required. $30,000 for general contractors, $15,000 for specialty contractors. Raised on 1 July 2024 from $12,000 / $6,000. (source: L&I: Register as a contractor (opens in a new tab), source: L&I news: contractor bond increase (opens in a new tab), source: RCW 18.27.040 (opens in a new tab))
- Electrical and plumbing contractors were not affected by the 2024 bond increase. (source: L&I news: contractor bond increase (opens in a new tab))
- You can claim against the bond through a court action for breach of contract or bad work. (source: RCW 18.27.040 (opens in a new tab), source: L&I news: contractor bond increase (opens in a new tab))
Insurance
- Workers' comp: Employers must open a workers' comp account. (source: L&I: Register as a contractor (opens in a new tab))
- General liability: $200,000 public liability plus $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined. L&I must be listed as certificate holder. (source: L&I: Register as a contractor (opens in a new tab))
Ask for proof of insurance and check the bond on the official lookup before work starts.
4. How to look up a contractor
Check a license on the L&I website (official site, opens in a new tab)
How: Look up the contractor and check the registration is active, plus workers' comp status, safety violations and bond lawsuits. (source: L&I: Verify a contractor, tradesperson or business (opens in a new tab))
5. Red flags when hiring
- The contractor is not registered, or the registration is not active, in L&I Verify. (source: L&I: Verify a contractor, tradesperson or business (opens in a new tab), source: RCW 18.27.020 (opens in a new tab))
- L&I Verify shows lawsuits against their bond or safety violations. (source: L&I: Verify a contractor, tradesperson or business (opens in a new tab))
- A contractor who hires an unregistered subcontractor. (source: RCW 18.27.200 (opens in a new tab))
6. Consumer protections and complaints
Bond claims
- You can claim against the contractor's bond through a court action for breach of contract or bad work. (source: RCW 18.27.040 (opens in a new tab), source: L&I news: contractor bond increase (opens in a new tab))
How to report a contractor
- Report a contractor online, or call the L&I Report-a-Fraud line at 1-888-811-5974. (source: L&I: Report a contractor (opens in a new tab))
7. Sources and last verified
Last verified: . Next check due: . Every fact on this page links to one of these official pages. How we verify.
- L&I: Verify a contractor, tradesperson or business (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- RCW 18.27.020 (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- RCW 18.27.040 (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- RCW 18.27.060 (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- RCW 18.27.200 (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- RCW 18.27.340 (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- L&I: Register as a contractor (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- L&I form F625-001-000 (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- WAC 296-200A-016 (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- WAC 296-46B-920 (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- L&I news: contractor bond increase (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- L&I: Electrician licensing (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- L&I: Report a contractor (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- EPA Section 608 technician certification (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- 40 CFR Part 82 Subpart F (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
Spot something out of date? Email [email protected].
Common questions
Do contractors need a license in Washington?
Contractors must register with L&I. Working, bidding or advertising without registration is a gross misdemeanor. (source: RCW 18.27.020 (opens in a new tab))
How much is the contractor bond in Washington?
$30,000 for general contractors and $15,000 for specialty contractors, since 1 July 2024. (source: L&I: Register as a contractor (opens in a new tab), source: L&I news: contractor bond increase (opens in a new tab))
What is the fine for unregistered contracting in Washington?
Infractions are $200 to $10,000. For failing to register it is $1,200 to $10,000, which can drop to $600 for a first offense if you register within 10 days. (source: RCW 18.27.200 (opens in a new tab), source: RCW 18.27.340 (opens in a new tab))