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General Contractor
Total cost: $540
Yes
License Required?
3 years
Experience Required
Yes
Bonding Required?
$540
Total Initial Fees
2 years
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours
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Residential contractor license for District of Columbia. Covers construction, remodeling, and repair of residential properties.
Project Limit
License required for projects over $1,000
Additional Requirements
Description
Commercial contractor license for District of Columbia. Covers construction of commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings.
Project Limit
License required for projects over $1,000
Additional Requirements
Description
General contractor license/registration for District of Columbia. Covers a broad range of construction activities.
Project Limit
License required for projects over $1,000
Additional Requirements
Description
Specialty contractor license for District of Columbia. Covers specialized trades and construction activities. Categories: General contractor, specialty contractor.
Additional Requirements
Experience & Documentation
Verified3
Years Required
Required
Documented Project History
Journeyman/Trade Experience
Minimum 3 years of documented experience in the construction trade
Alternative Pathways (Education Substitutions)
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Trade Exam
Required
Business & Law Exam
Exam Provider
PSI
Passing Score
70%
Open Book
Yes
Trade Exam Details
Trade-specific examination covering construction practices, codes, and safety standards
Business & Law Exam Details
Business and law examination covering contract law, lien law, and business management
Retake Policy
Candidates may retake the exam after a waiting period. Contact the board for specific retake policies.
Overall licensing difficulty: 9/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
Contractor Licensing Exam
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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General Contractor Licensing Exam
Passing Score
70%
Administered By
PSI
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the General Contractor Licensing Exam.
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Bonding Requirements
VerifiedSurety Bond Required
$5,000
Surety Bond Amount
Bond Types
Surety bonds protect consumers by providing financial recourse if a contractor fails to complete a project or violates licensing regulations. Bond costs are typically 1-3% of the bond amount annually.
Insurance & Workers' Comp
VerifiedRequired
General Liability
Required
Workers' Compensation
Minimum Coverage
General liability insurance required per state regulations
Additional Insurance Requirements
Workers' Comp Threshold
Required for employers with 1 or more employees
Workers' Comp Details
District of Columbia requires workers' compensation insurance for employers with 1 or more employees. Sole proprietors may be exempt but coverage is recommended.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $220 |
Exam Fee Per exam attempt | $100 |
License Fee | $220 |
Renewal Fee Per 2 years | $220 |
Total Initial Fees Approximate total of application, exam, and license fees | $540 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours Required
Renewal Fee
$220
Regulatory Board
Contractor licenses must be renewed on schedule. Many states require continuing education covering building codes, safety practices, business law, and energy efficiency standards.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedDoes Not Accept Out-of-State Credentials
ICC Certification Not Accepted
Reciprocity Type
Exam required
Transfer Details
DC may accept NASCLA Accredited Examination results. Out-of-state contractors must still complete full DC application process and meet all DC requirements.
General contractor license reciprocity varies significantly by state. Some states recognize ICC certifications, while others require passing the state exam regardless of prior credentials. Always verify current policies with the state licensing board.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare District of Columbia with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
DC licensing through DLCP (formerly DCRA). Functions as a state for contractor regulation. NASCLA may be accepted. Basic Business License with GC endorsement required.
DC licenses contractors through DLCP (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, formerly DCRA).
General contractors need a Basic Business License with General Contractor endorsement.
NASCLA Accredited Examination may be accepted — verify current status with DLCP.
Surety bond of $5,000 required. Background check required.
Workers' compensation required for 1+ employees.
Project exempt threshold: $1,000.
2-year renewal cycle. Agency transition from DCRA to DLCP may affect some processes.
Lien Law Basics
Preliminary Notice: Required
Lien Deadline: 90 days after completion
District of Columbia construction lien law: Preliminary notice is required to preserve lien rights. Lien filing deadline: 90 days after completion.
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Official Sources
General Contractor requirements in District of Columbia verified against DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), March 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-06
General Contractor Schools in District of Columbia
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.