Once your business is registered, it will be listed in our Verify a Contractor, Tradesperson, or Business tool. You will receive a registration card in about 2 weeks. If any of the required information is missing or incorrect, we will contact you to help complete your registration.
The two exams to obtain your general contractor's license in Washington are the Business Management/Law exam and the Trade exam. They cover different materials, so you need to prepare sufficiently for both.
There are no Washington handyman license requirements. However, all construction contractors must register with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries before they may bid, advertise, or perform construction work.
Construction Contractors Must Be Registered. Washington State requires all construction contractors to register with L&I. State law also requires construction contractors to be bonded and insured to protect the public. Once registered, contractors can bid, advertise, and perform construction work.
Report a fraudulent or unregistered contractor online, or call the Report-a-Fraud line at 1-888-811-5974.
All work shall be limited to minor and casual work of existing residential maintenance and repair with a total dollar value of time and materials under two thousand dollars.
Completed applications submitted by mail are currently taking 3-4 weeks after receipt to process and activate your registration. Once your business is registered, it will be listed in our Verify a Contractor, Tradesperson, or Business tool. You will receive a registration card in about 2 weeks.