Washington HVAC license

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. HVAC license classes

Good to know for HVAC work in Washington

• Technicians who service equipment with refrigerant need federal EPA Section 608 certification. (source: EPA Section 608 technician certification (opens in a new tab), source: 40 CFR Part 82 Subpart F (opens in a new tab))

3. Fees, exam, bond and insurance

Fees

Fees are set by the board and can change. Check the official fee page before you pay.

Experience and steps

1. Form your business LLCs and corporations form through the Secretary of State first. (source: L&I form F625-001-000 (opens in a new tab), source: L&I: Register as a contractor (opens in a new tab))
2. Get a business license Get a business license (UBI number) from the Department of Revenue. (source: L&I form F625-001-000 (opens in a new tab), source: L&I: Register as a contractor (opens in a new tab))
3. Open a workers' comp account If you have employees, open a workers' comp account. (source: L&I: Register as a contractor (opens in a new tab))
4. Get a bond and insurance Get a $30,000 (general) or $15,000 (specialty) bond and liability insurance with L&I as certificate holder. (source: L&I: Register as a contractor (opens in a new tab))
5. Register and pay Register with L&I and pay the $150.20 fee. (source: L&I form F625-001-000 (opens in a new tab))

Exam

We're still verifying this, check the official board: L&I website (opens in a new tab).

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))

Renewal

• Renew every 2 years. (source: RCW 18.27.060 (opens in a new tab))

Registration is valid for 2 years and must be renewed by the expiry date. (source: RCW 18.27.060 (opens in a new tab))

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))

Full checklist: how to check a contractor

5. Reciprocity (license transfer)

• Contractor registration itself is not a license, so there is no reciprocity for it. (source: L&I: Register as a contractor (opens in a new tab))

Use the reciprocity checker

6. 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))

7. How to complain

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))