Washington contractor license lookup: how to check and get a license
Washington contractor license lookup: who issues home improvement contractor licenses (Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)), how to check one online, the license types, and 5,171 residential remodelers by county.
Do home improvement contractors need a license in Washington?
| Who licenses them | Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) |
|---|---|
| License types | Registered General Contractor, Registered Specialty Contractor |
| When a license is required | Registration required for all construction work (no dollar minimum); written disclosure statement required on residential jobs of $1,000 or more |
Contractor registration is not a competency license: it requires a $30,000 bond (general) or $15,000 bond (specialty) plus liability insurance. On residential jobs of $1,000+ the contractor must give you a disclosure statement covering its registration, bond and your lien risk (RCW 18.27.114), and the bond is shared among all of the contractor's customers.
How do you look up a home improvement contractor's license in Washington?
- Ask the home improvement contractor for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Washington contractor license lookup run by Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the home improvement contractor about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).
What contractor licenses does Washington issue?
- Registered General Contractor
- Registered Specialty Contractor
How do you get a contractor license in Washington?
Licenses are issued by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
How many home improvement contractors are there in Washington?
The Census Bureau counted 5,171 residential remodelers with employees in Washington in 2023. The counties with the most:
| King County | 1,651 |
|---|---|
| Snohomish County | 713 |
| Pierce County | 518 |
| Clark County | 325 |
| Spokane County | 317 |
| Kitsap County | 204 |
| Whatcom County | 193 |
| Thurston County | 152 |
What do Washington homes mean for home improvement work?
The median home in Washington was built in 1984, 36% of households rent and 67% of homes are single-family houses. 34% of homes heat with utility gas and 58% with electricity, and 1% with fuel oil.
How do you choose a home improvement contractor in Washington?
- Check the contractor's license with the state or city. Many places require a home improvement license for residential work over a few hundred dollars.
- Get a written contract with the scope, materials, schedule, total price and payment schedule. Don't pay most of it upfront.
- Ask who pulls the permits. If the contractor suggests skipping a permit that the job needs, find another contractor.
- Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation, and make sure the policy is current.
- Ask for two or three recent jobs like yours that you can see or call about.
Home Improvement Contractors in other states
Sources: Washington licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.