In Washington, contractor registration and trade certification are handled by Labor & Industries. This guide explains what we've verified about general contractors, electricians and plumbers, and shows you how to check a Washington license in seconds.
Below, the guide works through each trade in turn. Inside each section the facts are grouped by topic: who issues the license, the license levels, experience, the exam, fees and renewal. Each one is quoted from an official Washington page and linked. Where we haven't verified something, we say so and point you to the board.
A practical tip: write down which license you actually need before you compare fees or exams. Contractor licenses (for businesses that bid and contract work) and individual trade licenses (for the person doing the work) often have different requirements, and the scope label on each fact tells you which one it belongs to.
Check a Washington license: search our copy of the official open-data file in the Washington license lookup, or use the official Washington license search. Our lookup shows only name, license number, class, status and city.
Verified facts at a glance
Washington general contractor license
Here is what the official Washington pages we checked actually say. Each point is quoted from our reviewed record with its source; for the full picture, including anything still pending review, see our Washington general contractor license requirements page.
Fees
- Contractor registration application fee: $150.20. (Contractor registration) — source: Register as a Contractor, verified 2026-10-18
Renewal
- Contractor registration renewal fee: $150.20. (Contractor registration) — source: Register as a Contractor, verified 2026-10-18
Other notes
- Bond: $30,000 for general contractors ($15,000 for specialty contractors). (Contractor registration) — source: Register as a Contractor, verified 2026-10-18
- Insurance: $200,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit. (Contractor registration) — source: Register as a Contractor, verified 2026-10-18
We have not yet verified exam for Washington from an official page; the board may not publish it online. Check Washington licensing board website or our Washington general contractor page.
We have not yet verified experience / hours for Washington from an official page; the board may not publish it online. Check Washington licensing board website or our Washington general contractor page.
Washington electrician / electrical contractor license
Here is what the official Washington pages we checked actually say. Each point is quoted from our reviewed record with its source; for the full picture, including anything still pending review, see our Washington electrician license requirements page.
License levels
- Trainees need a trainee certificate and must work under a certified electrician. (Individual worker license) — source: Electrical Licensing, Exams & Education, verified 2026-10-18
Exam
- Journey level / specialty electricians need the required experience and education and must pass the appropriate exam. (Individual worker license) — source: Electrical Licensing, Exams & Education, verified 2026-10-18
Other notes
- Electrical contractor license: valid UBI number, $4,000 bond or assignment of savings, and a designated master electrician or administrator. (Contractor license) — source: Electrical Licensing, Exams & Education, verified 2026-10-18
We have not yet verified fees for Washington from an official page; the board may not publish it online. Check Washington licensing board website or our Washington electrician page.
We have not yet verified experience / hours for Washington from an official page; the board may not publish it online. Check Washington licensing board website or our Washington electrician page.
Washington plumber / plumbing contractor license
Here is what the official Washington pages we checked actually say. Each point is quoted from our reviewed record with its source; for the full picture, including anything still pending review, see our Washington plumber license requirements page.
License levels
- Certification as journey level or specialty plumber, typically starting as a trainee. (Individual worker license) — source: Plumber Certification, verified 2026-10-18
Experience / hours
- Journey level plumber: 4+ years (at least 8,000 hours) as a plumber trainee under a certified journey level plumber. (Individual worker license) — source: Plumber Certification, verified 2026-10-18
Exam
- L&I certifies plumbers after confirming on-the-job training hours and a passed exam. (Individual worker license) — source: About the Plumber Program, verified 2026-10-18
Reciprocity & endorsement
- Washington has reciprocal certification with Idaho for journey level plumbers; other out-of-state plumbers may present a comparable license or equivalent U.S. military experience. (Individual worker license) — source: Plumber Certification, verified 2026-10-18
Other notes
- Licensed plumbing contractor: $6,000 bond, $250,000 general liability insurance and a designated plumber. (Contractor license) — source: Licensing Requirement FAQs, verified 2026-10-18
We have not yet verified fees for Washington from an official page; the board may not publish it online. Check Washington licensing board website or our Washington plumber page.
How to use this guide
- Every fact above links to the official page it came from, with the date we checked it. Rules change — confirm with the board before you apply or pay.
- To check whether a specific person or company holds a license, use our license lookup (TX, CA, WA, OR, NY and Québec RBQ data) or the board's own search.
- Moving between states or provinces? See the electrician reciprocity matrix and our Red Seal guide.
FAQ
How much does it cost? (Washington general contractor license)
Contractor registration application fee: $150.20. (Contractor registration) — source: Register as a Contractor, verified 2026-10-18
How often must the license be renewed? (Washington general contractor license)
Contractor registration renewal fee: $150.20. (Contractor registration) — source: Register as a Contractor, verified 2026-10-18
What exam is required? (Washington electrician / electrical contractor license)
Journey level / specialty electricians need the required experience and education and must pass the appropriate exam. (Individual worker license) — source: Electrical Licensing, Exams & Education, verified 2026-10-18
What exam is required? (Washington plumber / plumbing contractor license)
L&I certifies plumbers after confirming on-the-job training hours and a passed exam. (Individual worker license) — source: About the Plumber Program, verified 2026-10-18
How much experience do I need? (Washington plumber / plumbing contractor license)
Journey level plumber: 4+ years (at least 8,000 hours) as a plumber trainee under a certified journey level plumber. (Individual worker license) — source: Plumber Certification, verified 2026-10-18