Contractor License Requirements in Washington

Washington requires contractor licensing for construction work. The licensing process is overseen by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I). Washington requires contractor registration through L&I for all construction work. A surety bond of $12,000 is required for general contractors and $6,000 for specialty contractors. No exam is required for registration, but electricians and plumbers need separate licenses with exams. Washington is strict about protecting consumers from unregistered contractors.

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.

Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I)

Search by: UBI number, Contractor name, Specialty, County

Follow these steps to verify a contractor's license in Washington:

1. 1
   Visit the L&I contractor verification pageGo to secure.lni.wa.gov/verify to access Washington's official contractor verification system. All contractors in Washington must be registered with the Department of Labor and Industries.
2. 2
   Search by contractor name or UBI numberEnter the contractor's business name, UBI (Unified Business Identifier) number, or specialty type. You can also filter by county to find registered contractors in your area.
3. 3
   Verify registration status and bondConfirm the contractor's registration is active. Washington requires a surety bond of $12,000 for general contractors and $6,000 for specialty contractors. The L&I lookup shows the bond status and amount.
4. 4
   Check insurance coverage through L&IWashington's system shows whether the contractor has current workers' compensation and general liability insurance. Both are required for registration. If either shows as lapsed, the contractor is not legally registered.
5. 5
   Review infractions and complaintsCheck for any infractions, stop-work orders, or complaints on file. Washington L&I tracks enforcement actions and publishes them publicly. Multiple infractions indicate a pattern of non-compliance.

What to Look for in Verification Results

• Registration status must be "Active" -- not Suspended, Revoked, or Expired
• Surety bond must be current ($12,000 for general, $6,000 for specialty)
• Workers' compensation insurance must show as current
• General liability insurance must show as current
• Check for any stop-work orders or infractions
• Verify the contractor's specialty classification covers your project type

Hiring an unlicensed contractor in Washington carries significant risks for both the homeowner and the contractor:

• No consumer protections: State recovery funds and guaranty programs typically only cover work performed by licensed contractors.
• Insurance issues: Your homeowner's insurance may deny claims related to work done by an unlicensed contractor.
• Permit problems: Building permits often require a valid contractor license. Work done without permits can create issues when selling your property.
• Quality concerns: Licensed contractors have demonstrated minimum competency through exams, experience requirements, or both.
• Legal liability: Homeowners may bear greater legal responsibility for injuries or property damage caused during unlicensed work.
• Penalties: In Washington, unlicensed contracting can result in fines and criminal penalties for the contractor, and the homeowner may lose the ability to enforce the contract.

Washington does not currently have reciprocal contractor licensing agreements with other states. Contractors licensed in other states must apply for a new Washington license through the standard application process. Some states may credit out-of-state experience toward licensing requirements -- contact the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) for details.