Everything You Need to Get Licensed as a Washington Contractor
From surety bonds to general liability, we help contractors navigate L&I registration requirements and get fully insured—often same-day.
Four Things Every Washington Contractor Needs
Washington State requires contractors to complete four steps before performing any construction work. Missing any one can result in fines up to $5,000 per violation.
Business Registration (UBI)
Register your business with the Department of Revenue and get a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number. This is required before applying to L&I.
WA Dept. of RevenueContractor Surety Bond
General contractors need a $30,000 surety bond. Specialty contractors need a $15,000 bond. The bond protects consumers from contractor fraud or failure to complete work.
General Liability Insurance
L&I requires proof of liability insurance before issuing your contractor registration. Minimum coverage varies by trade and project scope.
L&I Registration
With your UBI, bond, and insurance in hand, file your contractor registration with the Department of Labor & Industries. Registration must be renewed every two years.
L&I Registration InfoThree Steps to Your Contractor License
Follow L&I's recommended order to avoid delays. Most contractors complete the process in 5–10 business days.
Get Your UBI Number & Bond
- Register with WA Department of Revenue
- Receive your Unified Business Identifier (UBI)
- Obtain surety bond: $30,000 (general) or $15,000 (specialty)
We can often get bond approval within 24 hours. Bond premiums start at just $150/year through SmartInsured.
Secure Liability Insurance
- General liability insurance (required by L&I)
- Certificate of insurance naming L&I
- Coverage must be active before filing
SmartInsured provides same-day COIs formatted exactly how L&I requires them. GL starts at $64.99/mo for many trades.
File with L&I
- Submit contractor registration application
- Attach bond and insurance documentation
- Pay registration fee (2-year renewal cycle)
We can prepare all required documentation so you can submit everything to L&I at once with no back-and-forth.
General vs. Specialty Contractor
Washington recognizes two contractor types. Choosing the right registration affects your bond amount, scope of work, and licensing requirements.
General Contractor
Specialty Contractor
Contractor Bond Requirements & Costs
Your bond premium is a fraction of the bond amount, based on your credit and business history. Here's what to expect.
General Contractor
- Required for all general contractors
- Protects consumers up to $30,000
- Renewed annually through your surety company
- Premium based on credit score and experience
Specialty Contractor
- Required for specialty/single-trade contractors
- Protects consumers up to $15,000
- Same renewal process as general bond
- Often lower premiums due to smaller bond size
SmartInsured works with multiple surety companies to find the lowest bond premium for your situation. Most approvals come back within 24 hours.
Which Trades Need Additional Licensing?
Most construction trades only need standard L&I contractor registration. These specialty trades require an additional license from a separate state agency.
Built for Washington Contractors
We specialize in contractor insurance and bonds. That focus means faster service, better rates, and documentation that L&I accepts the first time.
Same-Day Quotes & COIs
Get your liability quote and certificate of insurance the same day. No waiting days or weeks to start work.
L&I-Ready Certificates
Our COIs are formatted exactly how L&I requires them, so your registration application is accepted on the first submission.
Contractor Specialization
We know the difference between a roofer and a framer when it comes to risk classification. That knowledge gets you accurate, competitive pricing.
Competitive Bond Premiums
We work with multiple surety companies to shop your bond and find the lowest premium based on your credit and business profile.
Washington Contractor Registration Checklist
A printable checklist covering every step of Washington State contractor registration. From business structure to L&I filing.
- UBI registration steps
- Surety bond requirements ($30K/$15K)
- General liability minimums
- L&I filing documentation
- Specialty trade licenses
- Workers comp requirements
- Insurance certificate formatting
- Renewal timeline & deadlines
Get Your Free Checklist
Enter your email and we'll send the checklist straight to your inbox — plus get the instant download.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I work without a contractor license in Washington?
Can I use a cash deposit instead of a surety bond?
How much does contractor insurance and bonding cost in Washington?
How do I upgrade from specialty to general contractor?
How long does it take to get fully registered?
What is the difference between a surety bond and insurance?
Ready to Get Registered?
Our contractor insurance specialists can walk you through every step of the process. Call us or download the checklist to get started.
Serving contractors throughout Washington State including Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, Spokane, and surrounding areas.