Short answer: Washington contractors register with L&I for a $150.20 fee and carry a continuous bond of $30,000 for general or $15,000 for specialty contractors. General liability insurance must be $200,000 public liability plus $50,000 property damage, or a $250,000 combined single limit.
Updated October 12, 2026. Requirements and fees change; confirm with the agency named on this page.
Start here: build the free Washington startup roadmap, or read how to get a Washington contractor license. This page covers one part of that path.
One page with every key number a Washington contractor needs, each linked to the official Washington agency or statute it comes from. This is the quick-reference version. For the narrative walk-through of how these fit together and in what order, see how to start a contracting business in Washington and what it really costs to start.
Every figure below is sourced. Fees and rules change, so the "verify" link on each row is the point: confirm the current number against the agency before you rely on it.
Registration, bond, and insurance
| Item | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| L&I contractor registration fee | $150.20 | WA L&I – Register as a Contractor |
| General contractor bond (continuous) | $30,000 | RCW 18.27.040 |
| Specialty contractor bond (continuous) | $15,000 | RCW 18.27.040 |
| Plumbing contractor bond | $6,000 | RCW 18.106 |
| General liability insurance minimum | $200,000 public liability + $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit | RCW 18.27.050 |
The bond amount is the face amount L&I requires on file, not what you pay. Your actual cost is an annual premium a surety sets from your credit. See the bond explained and insurance requirements.
Business setup and ongoing filings
| Item | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| LLC Certificate of Formation | $180 + online processing fee; initial report free with formation, $10 if deferred (due within 120 days) | WA Secretary of State |
| SOS annual report (LLC / corporation) | $70 / year | WAC 434-112-085 |
| WA business license (first location) | about $50, plus $5 to add a trade name | WA DOR – Business Licensing |
Penalties and deadlines that catch people
| Item | Amount / deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Penalty for contracting without registration | $1,200 to $10,000 (reducible to $600 if registered within 10 days of a first-offense notice) | RCW 18.27.340 |
| Record a claim of lien within | 90 days of last labor/materials | RCW 60.04.091 |
| File suit to foreclose a lien within | 8 calendar months of recording | RCW 60.04.141 |
| Notice to Customer (residential jobs) | Required disclosure | RCW 18.27.114 |
Lien deadlines are strict and unforgiving and the notice rules depend on your role; see when a customer does not pay and confirm every deadline with a Washington construction attorney.
The Washington market, in numbers
| Item | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Active registered contractors in Washington | about 75,000+ | data.wa.gov – L&I contractor dataset |
| New contractor registrations per month | roughly 940 | data.wa.gov – L&I contractor dataset |
Citing this page
Writing about Washington contractor requirements? You are welcome to reference these figures. A link back to this page as your source is appreciated, and it keeps your readers pointed at the sourced, dated version rather than a number copied out of context.
<a href="https://contractorlane.com/resources/washington-contractor-requirements-at-a-glance/">Washington contractor requirements (Contractor Lane)</a>Want these steps sequenced for your specific business instead of a flat list? Build your free Contractor Lane roadmap and get the order, not just the numbers.
Where Contractor Lane comes in
A list of numbers tells you what things cost. It does not tell you what to do first, or what bounces your registration back for a week. Contractor Lane is the front door for starting a contracting business in Washington: the free roadmap builder puts these requirements in the right order for your trade and situation, and the paid Startup Roadmap walks each one with you, so the numbers above become a finished setup instead of a spreadsheet.
Get told when a Washington rule on this page changes
Washington fees and contractor rules change, often on July 1 and January 1. Leave your email and Andy will email you when a fee or rule in these guides changes. Nothing is sent automatically, and you can ask us to stop at any time.
We do not sell your information. See our Privacy Policy.
Common questions
What is the penalty for contracting without registration in Washington?
The penalty ranges from $1,200 to $10,000 (RCW 18.27.340). It can be reduced to $600 if you register within 10 days of a first-offense notice. Confirm current amounts with L&I before you rely on them.
What are the deadlines to file a construction lien in Washington?
Record a claim of lien within 90 days of last labor or materials (RCW 60.04.091). File suit to foreclose within 8 calendar months of recording (RCW 60.04.141). These deadlines are strict, so confirm them with a Washington construction attorney.
How much does it cost to form an LLC and get a business license in Washington?
The LLC Certificate of Formation is $180 plus an online processing fee, with the initial report free at formation or $10 if deferred. The business license for the first location is about $50, plus $5 to add a trade name. The annual report is $70 a year.
General educational information for people starting a business in Washington. Fees, amounts, and deadlines change. Contractor Lane is not a law firm or tax advisor.
Already running jobs?
Then Operator takes it from here.
A business audit and a plan, an online mentor you can ask any time, team training for your crew, and deadline reminders. $79/month, any state, cancel anytime.