Washington contractor license cost
Registration costs $150.20, plus a $30,000 (general) or $15,000 (specialty) bond and liability insurance. Registration lasts 2 years. (source: L&I form F625-001-000 (opens in a new tab), 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))
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.
Costs and fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Contractor registration fee | $150.2 (source: L&I form F625-001-000 (opens in a new tab)) |
Fees are set by the board and can change. Check the official fee page before you pay.
Bonds and insurance
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))
- Workers' comp: Employers must open a workers' comp account.
- 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.
Registration is valid for 2 years and must be renewed by the expiry date. (source: RCW 18.27.060 (opens in a new tab))
Sources and last verified
Last verified: . Next check due: . Every fact on this page links to one of these official pages.
- 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)
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