In the state of Washington, applicants must acquire a Contractor License Bond as part of the contractor license application process. This bond ensures that contractors fulfill their construction work responsibilities, adhere to state laws, and provides compensation to the public for financial harm if the contractor doesn't comply with licensing regulations.
Explore our table down below and find your contractor license bond with ease. From specialty contractors to general contractors and various electrical and fire protection contractors, we have a range of options available.
Bond Type Bond Amount + Pricing Department of Labor and Industries Continuous Contractor's Bond General Contractor $12,000 starting at $100 Department of Labor and Industries Continuous Contractor's Bond Specialty Contractor $6,000 starting at $90 Department of Labor & Industries Electrical/Telecommunications Contractor Bond $4,000 starting at $99 Department of Labor & Industries Farm Labor Contractor Bond 1-10 Employees $5,000 starting at $90 Department of Labor & Industries Farm Labor Contractor Bond 11-50 Employees $10,000 starting at $90 Department of Labor & Industries Farm Labor Contractor Bond 51-100 Employees $15,000 starting at $90 Department of Labor & Industries Farm Labor Contractor Bond 100+ Employees $20,000 starting at $90 Fire Protection Bureau Level 1 Fire Sprinkler System Contractor Bond $6,000 starting at $90 Fire Protection Bureau Level 2 Fire Sprinkler System Contractor Bond $6,000 starting at $90 Fire Protection Bureau Level 3 Fire Sprinkler System Contractor Bond $10,000 starting at $90 Fire Protection Bureau Level I & T Fire Sprinkler System Contractor Bond $6,000 starting at $90 Fire Protection Bureau Level U Fire Sprinkler System Contractor Bond $10,000 starting at $90 Clark County District #1 Electrical Contractor Performance Bond $5,000 starting at $90 City of Redmond Side Sewer Contractor Bond $5,000 starting at $90 City of Seattle Side Sewer Contractor Bond $30,000 starting at $90 Lakehaven Utility District Sewer Service Contractor Bond $10,000 starting at $90
If you're working in the state of Washington and doing any of the following types of work or submitting bids, you must be a registered contractor:
Contractors are required to enroll with the Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) and obtain proper bonding and insurance coverage. There are two different classifications in the state of Washington, general and specialty contractors.
General contractors in Washington have the flexibility to do various type types of construction work and can also hire subcontractors with expertise in different specialties. However, contractors involved in the following specialties must fulfill additional education, examination, licensing requirements:
Specialty Contractors in Washington can only work in the specific specialty they are registered for and cannot hire subcontractors for their projects. L&I oversees 63 different specialties like roofing, painting, HVAC, tree removal, mobile home set-up, and many others.
In Washington, the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) is the regulatory body for general and specialty contractors.
Email: ContReg@Lni.wa.gov
Toll-free: 1-800-647-0982
Phone: 360-902-5226 (Option 2)
Mailing address:
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
Contractor Registration
PO Box 44450
Olympia WA 98504-4450
To register with the Department of Labor & Industry as a contractor, you must:
For the fastest and simplest registration process, this three-step process is recommended:
If you need more clarification about the appropriate business structure, refer to the guide Applying for Your Washington Business License: A Step-by-Step Guide or visit business.wa.gov for comprehensive information on initiating and structuring your business.
You will need to purchase:
A Washington Continuous Contractor Surety Bond, which should be:
A general liability insurance policy with the following coverage:
Ensure that your bond and insurance carry your precise business name, and list L&I (Labor & Industries) as a certificate holder for your liability insurance. If you need assistance with purchasing your surety bond and insurance, don't hesitate to reach out to us for help. We’re a licensed insurance broker in Washington that provides liability insurance and surety bonds.
The next step is to visit your local L&I office, where customer service representatives will assist you in registering your business and completing the application process. To prevent any avoidable delays, please ensure you have the following items ready:
If you prefer alternative registration methods, you can mail your Application for Contractor Registration to the address below. The following documents must be included:
The application should be mail to:
Contractor Registration
P.O. BOX 44450
Olympia, WA 98504-4450
Note: Every signature on your application must be both original and notarized.
The L&I Verify a Contractor, Tradesperson, or Business tool can be used to verify the status of a contractor’s assignment of account, contractor license bond, or general liability insurance. More specifically, the tool enables you to:
Once you've registered, it's essential to include your contractor registration number on all your business communications.
According to the law, whenever you advertise, ask for bids, or offer to work, you must include your contractor registration number. This includes:
Instead of a bond, you can use an assigned bank account as an alternative. This involves filling out an Assignment of Account form, which is also available at L&I local offices. You can deposit the required amount in the form of cash, a certificate of deposit, time deposit, or a money market account at a bank, savings and loan association, or credit union that has a branch in Washington.
