Washington · general contractor
State license required
- Experience
- None for contractor registration (age 18+, valid UBI).2
- Exam
- None for contractor registration.2
- Bond
- General contractor $30,000.3
- Insurance
- General liability: $200,000 public liability + $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit.2
- Fees
- Registration application $150.20.2
- Renewal
- Registration lasts 2 years (RCW 18.27.060).4
How do you get a Washington contractor license?
Check that you need a license
All construction contractors must register with L&I (RCW 18.27.020).1
Meet the experience rule
None for contractor registration (age 18+, valid UBI).2
Apply to the board$150.20
Registration application $150.20.2
WA L&I siteFile the bond and insurance
General contractor $30,000. General liability: $200,000 public liability + $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit.3
Washington bond and insurance rulesGet the license, then renew
Registration lasts 2 years (RCW 18.27.060).4
Renewal and CE
Electrical, plumbing and HVAC licenses in Washington
- ElectricalState licenseL&I Electrical / Plumber certification
- PlumbingAsk the boardL&I Electrical / Plumber certification
- HVACState registrationWA L&I
- RoofingAsk the boardWA L&I
Which license class do you need in Washington?
Contractor registration only: General contractor (can hire subs in any specialty) or Specialty contractor (63 specialties, registered specialty only, cannot hire subs).2
Classes with the most active holders in the state file, 2026-10-275.
- CC-01 General52,052
- EC-01 General3,407
- CC-CB Painting/Wallcovering2,309
- CC-SK Floor Covering and Counter Tops1,876
- CC-BW Landscaping1,518
- PC-01 Journey Level1,439
- CC-RE Tile, Ceramic, Mosaic, Natural and MFG Stone1,001
- CC-SB Cabinets, Millwork and Finish Carpentry853
- CC-SM Heating/Vent/Air-Conditioning and Refrig776
- CC-BI Concrete749
- CC-RF Tree Removal Service595
- EC-02 Residential595
All 28 classes
PC-02 Residential · CC-CD Roofing · EC-6A HVAC/Refrigeration · EC-06 Limited Energy · CC-HM Handyman · CC-BK Dry Wall · CC-SI Excavation, Grading and Land Clearing · CC-SW Siding · CC-BZ Masonry · CC-SL Framing and Rough Carpentry · CC-BP Glazing/Glass · CC-PW Pressure Washing · CC-BN Fencing · CC-RI Welding and Ornamental Metal · CC-SS Paving/ Striping/ Seal Coating · EC-09 Ec 09
Does Washington have license reciprocity?
Not applicable to contractor registration.2
Do you need workers' comp?
Industrial insurance (L&I) account required if employees work in WA.6
Washington insurance and bondsSources
- WA L&I: who needs a license (app.leg.wa.gov, 2026-10-27)
- WA L&I: experience (lni.wa.gov, 2026-10-27)
- WA L&I: bond (app.leg.wa.gov, 2026-10-27)
- WA L&I: renewal (app.leg.wa.gov, 2026-10-27)
- WA L&I via data.wa.gov (m8qx-ubtq, bzff-4fmt, ciwg-agsx) (data.wa.gov, 2026-10-27)
- WA L&I: workers' comp (app.leg.wa.gov, 2026-10-27)
- WA L&I: RCW 18.27.090 (app.leg.wa.gov, 2026-10-27)
- WA L&I - Contractor Registration (lni.wa.gov, 2026-10-27)
- L&I Electrical / Plumber certification (lni.wa.gov, 2026-10-27)