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How to become a licensed Painting Contractor in District of Columbia. Basic Business License — Home Improvement Contractor Endorsement required. Total initial fees: $510-$835. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Painting Contractor — PC
Governing Authority
District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
Official website →Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
47% of data points are verified against official sources. 18 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Yes
License Required
Basic Business License — Home Improvement Contractor Endorsement
License Type
No
Exam Required
No
Experience Required
$5,000
Bonding Required
$510-$835
Total Initial Fees
State contractor licensing requirements for painting contractors
VerifiedLicense Required
Yes
License Type
Basic Business License — Home Improvement Contractor Endorsement
License Threshold
All home improvement work
Exemptions
District of Columbia requires a contractor license for painting work. Requirements are administered by the District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. Always verify current requirements directly with the licensing authority.
Experience, Education & Examination Requirements
Mostly verifiedExperience Required
No
Exam Required
No
District of Columbia does not require specific experience or exams for painting contractors at the state level. All painting contractors working on pre-1978 homes should obtain EPA RRP certification for lead paint safety.
Insurance & Bonding Requirements
Mostly verifiedGeneral Liability
Required — $100,000
Workers' Compensation
Required for all employers with 1+ employees
Surety Bond
Required — $5,000
Insurance requirements vary by state. Even in states that do not mandate insurance for painting contractors, carrying general liability insurance ($1,000,000+ recommended) and workers' compensation insurance is strongly recommended to protect your business and clients. Surety bonds protect consumers if a contractor fails to complete work or meet obligations.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
License Application Fee Application fee for contractor license | $260 |
License Fee License issuance fee | $175 |
Bond Cost Surety bond face amount (annual premium is typically 1-10% of bond amount) | $5,000 |
Business License Fee General business license/registration fee for District of Columbia | $75-$400 |
Total Initial Fees Includes application, license, exam, and business license fees. Bond premiums and insurance costs are additional. | $510-$835 |
Renewal Requirements & Ongoing Obligations
Mostly verifiedBiennial
Renewal Period
$175
Renewal Fee
Not Required
Continuing Education
Painting contractor licenses in District of Columbia must be renewed biennial. Ensure all insurance and bonding requirements remain current between renewal periods. EPA RRP certification must be renewed every 5 years.
The District of Columbia requires painting contractors to obtain a Basic Business License with a Home Improvement Contractor endorsement.
District of Columbia requires Basic Business License — Home Improvement Contractor Endorsement for painting contractors.
License is required for projects valued at All home improvement work.
EPA Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule certification is required for work on pre-1978 homes that disturbs lead-based paint. This is a federal requirement that applies in all states.
Workers' compensation insurance is required in District of Columbia: Required for all employers with 1+ employees.
A surety bond of $5,000 is required for contractor licensing.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in District of Columbia.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Salary
#2 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Painters, Construction and Maintenance (SOC 47-2141)
Entry Level
N/A
25th percentile
Median
$58,600
+27% vs. national avg ($46,080)Experienced
N/A
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
Source: BLS OEWS – Painters, Construction and Maintenance (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2022-2032
Projected Growth
+3%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
N/A
over 10 years
Annual Openings
N/A
per year (avg.)
N/A currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2022-2032 (September 2023)
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.
Source: District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
Estimated total: 4–6 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
4-6 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
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Accessed 2025-01-15
District of Columbia requires Basic Business License — Home Improvement Contractor Endorsement for painting contractors. License is required for projects valued at All home improvement work. A surety bond of $5,000 is required. All painting contractors working on pre-1978 homes must obtain EPA RRP certification. Licensing is managed through the District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs.
Requirements vary by state and locality. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.