Join as a Pro
Washington Contractor

Washington contractor registration guide

Washington contractor registration is handled by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. L&I says construction contractors must be registered, bonded, and insured, with general and specialty contractor classifications.

The short answer

Washington requires construction contractors to register with L&I before they can bid, advertise, or perform construction work. General contractors and specialty contractors are treated differently, and some activities such as plumbing, electrical, elevators, mobile home installation, boilers, and asbestos can have additional requirements.

Who this applies to

  • Contractors who bid, advertise, or perform construction work in Washington should confirm registration before selling work.
  • General contractors who hire subcontractors and specialty contractors limited to one specialty should check the correct registration class.
  • Homeowners and contractors can use L&I's Verify tool to check registration, workers' comp, bond, citation, and owner information.

Requirement snapshot

Authority Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
Registration requirement L&I says Washington requires all construction contractors to register with L&I.
General vs specialty L&I lists two classifications: general contractors and specialty contractors.
Business, bond, and insurance L&I's registration page directs contractors to register the business, get a surety bond or assignment of savings, purchase general liability insurance, complete the application, and pay the application fee.
Specialties L&I says it regulates 63 specialties requiring contractor registration, including roofing, painting, HVAC, tree removal, mobile home set-up, and more.
Verification L&I's Verify tool can show contractor registration, workers' comp account status, safety citations, and bond lawsuit information.

Practical application path

  1. Decide whether the business is registering as a general contractor or specialty contractor.
  2. Register the business with the Department of Revenue and confirm the business name/structure.
  3. Obtain the required surety bond or assignment of savings and general liability insurance.
  4. Complete the Application for Contractor Registration and submit it to L&I with the required documents and fee.
  5. Use L&I Verify to confirm active registration before advertising or bidding.

Watchouts before you sell the work

  • Washington contractor registration does not replace additional licensing for certain plumbing, electrical, elevator, mobile-home, boiler, or asbestos work.
  • L&I says contractors must include the contractor registration number in business communications and advertising after registration.
  • Registration can be suspended if bond, insurance, or other requirements are not maintained.

Official source links

Washington register as a contractor https://www.lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/contractors/register-as-a-contractor/ Washington verify a contractor https://lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/contractors/hiring-a-contractor/verify-contractor-tradesperson-business Washington contractor laws and rules https://lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/contractors/contractor-laws-rules Washington contractor application PDF https://lni.wa.gov/forms-publications/F625-001-000.pdf

FAQ

Does Washington require contractors to register?

Yes. L&I says Washington requires all construction contractors to register with L&I and be bonded and insured.

What is the difference between general and specialty contractors in Washington?

L&I says general contractors can perform most types of construction work and hire subcontractors in multiple specialties, while specialty contractors can only perform work in the specialty they are registered in.