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How to become a licensed general contractor in District of Columbia. State-level licensing required. Experience: 3 years. Total initial fees: $540. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
General Contractor
Yes
License Required?
3 years
Experience Required
Yes
Bonding Required?
$540
Total Initial Fees
2 years
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours
Description
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.
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 |
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.
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.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in District of Columbia.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#31 of 51
Salary
#9 of 51
Cost
#33 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (SOC 47-1011)
Entry Level
$77,330
25th percentile
Median
$96,330
+22% vs. national avg ($78,690)Experienced
$117,600
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
1,250 employed in this state
Note: BLS category "First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades" is broader than general contractors specifically. It includes supervisors across all construction specialties.
Source: BLS OEWS – First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+5.5%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+40,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
55,200
per year (avg.)
729,900 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Electrical Career Ladder+18% salary growth potential
You are here
Electrical Contractor
$96,330
Master electrician license + contractor license
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$81,950
You are here
Electrical Contractor
Master electrician license + contractor license
$96,330
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 164–178 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Study guides and practice tests for the general contractor licensing exam.
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Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-06
District of Columbia requires state-level contractor licensing. 3 years of experience is required. All licensing is managed through the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP).
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state or local licensing authority.