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How to become a licensed general contractor in Washington. State-level licensing required. Total initial fees: $141.10. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
General Contractor
Yes
License Required?
0 years
Experience Required
Yes
Bonding Required?
$141.10
Total Initial Fees
2 years
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours
Description
Residential contractor license for Washington. Covers construction, remodeling, and repair of residential properties.
Project Limit
All residential construction requires licensure
Additional Requirements
Description
Commercial contractor license for Washington. Covers construction of commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings.
Project Limit
All commercial construction requires licensure
Additional Requirements
Description
General contractor license/registration for Washington. Covers a broad range of construction activities.
Project Limit
All construction requires licensure
Additional Requirements
Description
Specialty contractor license for Washington. Covers specialized trades and construction activities. Categories: General Contractor, Specialty Contractor (registration, no exam).
Additional Requirements
Experience & Documentation
Verified0
Years Required
Not Required
Documented Project History
Journeyman/Trade Experience
No specific journeyman experience required
Alternative Pathways (Education Substitutions)
Exam Requirements
VerifiedNot Required
Trade Exam
Not Required
Business & Law Exam
Trade Exam Details
No trade examination required
Business & Law Exam Details
No business/law examination required
Retake Policy
No exam required
Bonding Requirements
VerifiedSurety Bond Required
$30,000
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
Washington is a MONOPOLISTIC workers' compensation state — all WC insurance must be obtained through the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). Private WC insurance is not available. Required for all employers with workers, including sole proprietors who are 'working employers.'
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Registration fee | $141.10 |
License Fee Same as registration fee | $141.10 |
Renewal Fee Per 2 years | $141.10 |
Total Initial Fees Single registration fee covers application and license | $141.10 |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours Required
Renewal Fee
$120
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
Full application required
Transfer Details
Washington requires out-of-state contractors to complete the full registration process.
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.
Washington doubled its contractor surety bond from $12,000 to $30,000 in July 2024. It's a monopolistic WC state (L&I only). Registration-based system with NO exam — one of the most accessible. Fee: $141.10. Reg number required on all advertising.
Washington requires contractor REGISTRATION (not 'license') — no exam, no experience required. One of the most accessible state systems.
Surety bond DOUBLED effective July 2024: $30,000 for general contractors (was $12,000), $15,000 for specialty (was $6,000).
Registration fee is $141.10 for initial and renewal (2-year cycle).
MONOPOLISTIC workers' compensation state — all WC must be through L&I, no private carriers allowed.
Handyman exemption: work under $500 on a single-family residence by an individual (not a company) is exempt.
Written disclosure form required for projects over $1,000. Registration number must appear on all advertising.
There is no interstate compact for general contractors.
Lien Law Basics
Preliminary Notice: Required
Lien Deadline: 90 days after completion
Washington 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 Washington.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#2 of 51
Cost
#11 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
$81,070
25th percentile
Median
$103,290
+31% vs. national avg ($78,690)Experienced
$130,830
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
21,080 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+7% salary growth potential
You are here
Electrical Contractor
$103,290
Master electrician license + contractor license
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$96,530
You are here
Electrical Contractor
Master electrician license + contractor license
$103,290
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: 8–22 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Washington Contractor Licensing
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Washington Contractor Licensing
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 2026-03-22
Accessed 2026-03-22
Washington requires state-level contractor licensing. All licensing is managed through the Washington Department of Labor and Industries.
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state or local licensing authority.