Contractor License Requirements in District of Columbia

District of Columbia requires contractor licensing for construction work. The licensing process is overseen by the DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA). The District of Columbia requires licensing for all construction work through DCRA. Both general and specialty contractors must be licensed. A surety bond and general liability insurance are required. Trade exams are administered for each classification. DC has strict enforcement and consumer protection measures.

Important

Never hire a contractor who cannot provide a valid license number. A legitimate contractor will have no hesitation sharing their license credentials for you to verify independently. If a contractor refuses, discourages you from checking, or makes excuses, treat that as a serious red flag.

Visit the DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) website to verify any contractor's license before hiring.

District of Columbia does not currently have reciprocal contractor licensing agreements with other states. Contractors licensed in other states must apply for a new District of Columbia license through the standard application process. Some states may credit out-of-state experience toward licensing requirements -- contact the DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) for details.