Quick facts: Washington
- Agency
- Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)
- Specialty classes
- 63, listed in WAC 296-200A-016
- Specialty bond
- $15,000
- General contractor bond
- $30,000
- Two or more trades
- Register as a general contractor (except the handyman class)
Fees, rules and rates change, often on July 1 and January 1. Verify every item with the responsible agency before you rely on it.
Washington sorts contractor work into 63 specialty classes. If your business offers one of them, you register as a specialty contractor with a $15,000 bond. L&I's registration form lets a specialty contractor perform only the trade selected, so if you offer two or more trades you register as a general contractor with a $30,000 bond. The handyman class (26) is the exception. Some classes also need a separate trade license, listed under each entry below.
Not sure which applies? Build the free Washington roadmap. It asks what you will do and tells you which registration fits. For the full rule, read general vs specialty contractor in Washington.
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All 63 Washington specialty classes
Scope descriptions are plain-English summaries of WAC 296-200A-016. Read the rule itself before you register.
(1) Appliances, equipment
Installs or replaces household appliances that need only minor gas or water hookups. Work stops at the existing shutoff, with flexible connectors of six feet or less.
May also need: plumber certification (chapter 18.106 RCW) and an electrical license (chapter 19.28 RCW), depending on the work.
(2) Asbestos and lead
Handles, removes, encloses, and disposes of asbestos and lead containing materials such as insulation, flooring, and siding, following state and federal hazardous material standards.
Also required: Asbestos abatement also needs an L&I asbestos contractor certificate (RCW 49.26.115). Renovation in pre-1978 homes needs lead RRP firm certification.
(3) Awnings, canopies, patio covers and exterior screens
Installs and repairs exterior awnings, door hoods, screens, canopies, and patio covers made of metal, fabric, fiberglass, or plastic.
Start a awnings, canopies, patio covers and exterior screens business in Washington →
(4) Boiler, steam fitting, process piping
Installs, services, and repairs boilers, hot water heating, steam and process piping, valves, pumps, and related fuel lines and controls.
May also need: plumber certification (chapter 18.106 RCW) and an electrical license (chapter 19.28 RCW), depending on the work.
(5) Cabinets, millwork and finish carpentry
Installs and finishes cabinets, countertop frames, doors, trim, and nonbearing partitions made from wood and wood products.
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(6) Central vacuum systems
Installs, modifies, and repairs central vacuum and reduced pressure pneumatic systems for cleaning and moving materials. Medical and hazardous waste systems are excluded.
(7) Closets
Installs, repairs, and maintains shelving, racks, rails, and drawers within closet and storage systems.
(8) Commercial/industrial refrigeration
Installs, alters, and repairs refrigeration systems that keep food and perishables below 50 degrees F, including refrigerated rooms and related insulation, ducts, and controls.
May also need: an electrical license (chapter 19.28 RCW), depending on the work.
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(9) Concrete
Covers all concrete work, including placing, finishing, curing, repairing, cutting, sealing, and building forms. Companies that only pump or deliver concrete are exempt.
(10) Construction clean-up
Removes construction debris and residue such as concrete, drywall, paint, and adhesives from buildings and grounds. Final janitorial cleaning is exempt.
(11) Demolitions and salvage
Tears down structures for disposal or salvage and supports buildings during alterations. Work on permanently retained portions of structures is excluded.
(12) Doors, gates and activating devices
Installs, modifies, and repairs residential, commercial, and industrial doors, including sliding, glass, and revolving doors and their frames, plus gates and activating devices.
May also need: an electrical license (chapter 19.28 RCW), depending on the work.
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(13) Drain cleaning and snaking
Covers camera inspection, cleaning, and snaking of building drains, vent pipes, and sewer lines. It does not permit removing or replacing damaged plumbing parts or fixtures.
Also required: Covers clearing drains without replacing parts. It does not waive plumber certification for plumbing work.
(14) Drilling, blasting and soil sampling
Covers core and post hole drilling, horizontal drilling without piping, drilling for explosive charges, blasting, and soil sampling. Water well drilling is excluded.
May also need: an explosives license (chapter 70.74 RCW), depending on the work.
(15) Drywall
Hangs and finishes gypsum wallboard, including nonstructural metal framing, taping, priming, texturing, and interior lath and plaster repair.
(16) Electrical
The WAC has no separate scope text for this class. It refers readers to chapter 19.28 RCW, the electrical licensing law.
Also required: Electrical work needs an L&I electrical contractor license under chapter 19.28 RCW ($4,000 bond), not this registration alone.
(17) Elevator
Installs, repairs, alters, relocates, demolishes, and maintains elevators and similar conveyances along with their associated equipment.
Also required: An elevator contractor license under chapter 70.87 RCW is also required, and the people doing the work need elevator mechanic licenses.
(18) Excavation, grading and land clearing
Digs, moves, and grades earth for cuts, fills, and trenches, including shoring, base oiling, and incidental blasting and drilling. Well and oil excavation is excluded.
May also need: an explosives license (chapter 70.74 RCW), depending on the work.
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(19) Fencing
Builds and repairs metal and wood fences, corrals, railings, gates, guard rails, and similar barriers. Masonry walls are excluded.
May also need: an electrical license (chapter 19.28 RCW), depending on the work.
(20) Fireproofing and coating
Applies fire resistant fireproofing and coating materials using industry accepted methods.
(21) Fire protection
Lays out, fabricates, repairs, and installs fire protection systems that use water, steam, gas, or chemicals, including sprinklers, hood systems, and pumps.
Also required: Sprinkler contractors also need a State Fire Marshal license under chapter 18.160 RCW ($10,000 bond, or $6,000 for NFPA 13-D or 13-R only).
(22) Floor covering and counter tops
Installs, repairs, and replaces floor coverings and related accessories, including surface preparation, for nonstructural interior and exterior use.
May also need: plumber certification (chapter 18.106 RCW) and an electrical license (chapter 19.28 RCW), depending on the work.
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(23) Framing and rough carpentry
Does form work, framing, and rough carpentry for framed structures, such as subflooring, decks, exterior stairs, roof decking, and rafters.
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(24) Glass and glazing
Selects, cuts, installs, replaces, and repairs glass, mirrors, and glass substitutes, plus frames, skylights, and weatherproofing sealants.
(25) Gutters and downspouts
Installs, repairs, and maintains metal, wood, and plastic gutters, downspouts, and channel devices that carry rainwater off a building exterior.
(26) Handyman
A sole individual who does all work personally, with no employees or subcontractors, may do minor residential maintenance and repair under $2,000 in time and materials. Work that needs a building permit is excluded.
Also required: An individual with no employees or other specialty contractors, minor residential repairs under $2,000 in time and materials, no work that needs a building permit. May still need plumber certification or an electrical license for that work.
(27) House moving
Raises, lowers, supports, and relocates structures along with their foundations. Alterations, repairs, or rehabilitation of those structures are excluded.
(28) Heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R)
Fabricates, installs, services, and maintains heating and cooling equipment for indoor air, including ductwork, filters, controls, insulation, gas and propane piping, and air system testing and balancing.
Also required: Equipment wiring may need an (06A) or (06B) electrical license; low-voltage controls fall under (06) limited energy.
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(29) Industrial equipment/machines
Installs industrial machinery such as generators, compressors, and processors that is bolted or otherwise permanently attached to a structure.
May also need: plumber certification (chapter 18.106 RCW) and an electrical license (chapter 19.28 RCW), depending on the work.
(30) Institutional equipment, stationary furniture, lab tables, lockers
Installs, alters, and repairs fixed furniture and equipment such as desks, lockers, shelving, stationary bleacher seating, stage and gym equipment, and institutional kitchen and laboratory fixtures.
(31) Insulation and acoustical
Installs, alters, and repairs insulation that controls heat, sound, and moisture, along with the supports, adhesives, weather stripping, and protective materials used with it.
(32) Irrigation sprinkler systems
Installs, repairs, and maintains irrigation, dust, and erosion control sprinkler systems, including backflow devices and hose bibs when integral to the system and outside a building.
May also need: plumber certification (chapter 18.106 RCW) and an electrical license (chapter 19.28 RCW), depending on the work.
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(33) Landscaping
Builds, maintains, and repairs landscape systems such as gardens, walkways, decorative decks, garden walls and fences up to six feet, ponds, and water features, plus grading, topsoil, and hydroseeding.
May also need: plumber certification (chapter 18.106 RCW) and an electrical license (chapter 19.28 RCW), depending on the work.
(34) Lathing and plastering
Applies plaster or cement based coatings for a permanent surface finish, including soundproofing and fireproofing coatings, and installs lath or metal studs as a base.
(35) Locks, security alarms and warning systems
Sets up, installs, maintains, and repairs doors, gates, locks, panic and fire rated exit devices, jail locks, built-in safes and vaults, and early warning systems.
Also required: Alarm and access-control wiring needs an L&I electrical contractor license, (06) limited energy.
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(36) Masonry
Installs concrete, clay, glass, and stone masonry units for walls and fences, plus ceramic veneer, thin brick, paving, and related waterproofing and cleaning. Includes chimney cleaning and repair.
(37) Manufactured/mobile home set up
Sets manufactured and mobile homes in place, including plumbing, gas, electrical, and foundation connections, plus related repairs and move preparation.
Also required: A certified manufactured home installer must supervise on site (WAC 296-150I-0100).
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(38) Metal fabrication/sheet metal
Makes, installs, and repairs sheet metal products and general architectural metalwork such as exhaust hoods and counters, including layout, cutting, and bracing. Structural metal fabrication is excluded.
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(39) Overhead/garage doors
Installs wood and steel overhead and roll up doors, along with their rails, support systems, and power or manual opening and closing motors.
May also need: an electrical license (chapter 19.28 RCW), depending on the work.
(40) Painting and wall covering
Applies paints, stains, wallcoverings, and other protective or decorative finishes, including surface prep, caulking, and pressure washing. Commissioned artwork and murals do not require registration.
(41) Paving/striping/seal coating
Handles asphalt and concrete paving for streets, driveways, parking lots, boat ramps, and airport taxiways, including crack filling, sealing, and striping.
Start a paving/striping/seal coating business in Washington →
(42) Plumbing
Installs, alters, and repairs water supply, drainage, vent, and building sewer piping within property lines, along with fixtures, traps, medical gas systems, and water heaters.
Also required: Plumbing contractors are licensed under chapter 18.106 RCW ($6,000 bond, $250,000 insurance, designated certified plumber). Registration under 18.27 applies only if you also do non-plumbing work.
(43) Pressure washing
Uses pressurized water to clean and prepare commercial or residential surfaces for painting or other treatment, and may also provide dust control.
(44) Roofing
Installs and repairs waterproof, weather resistant roofing and deck surfaces using materials such as shingles, tile, metal, and membranes. Structural repair of trusses, beams, or joists is not covered.
(45) Sandblasting
Uses compressed air and abrasives to blast surfaces clean and prepare them for protective, decorative, or functional treatment on commercial or residential structures.
(46) Sanitation systems and/or side sewers
Builds and installs outdoor septic, storm drain, and sewage systems, including pipe laying and related excavation, grading, trenching, and backfilling.
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(47) Scaffolding and safety railings
Erects metal or wood scaffolding, sidewalk shelters, barricades, safety railings, stages, and bleachers.
(48) Service station equipment and maintenance
Installs service station equipment such as auto lifts, hydraulic systems, grease racks, compressors, air hoses, and fuel dispensers.
May also need: an electrical license (chapter 19.28 RCW), depending on the work.
(49) Siding
Installs exterior siding such as wood, vinyl, aluminum, and metal on new or existing buildings.
(50) Signs
Fabricates and installs post, pole, wall, and structure mounted signs, and modifies existing signs.
May also need: an electrical license (chapter 19.28 RCW), depending on the work.
(51) Steel erectors
Fabricates and erects structural steel members for buildings, including rebar, riveting, welding, rigging, and metal roofing and decking systems.
(52) Structural pest control
Builds, repairs, and installs screens, bird exclusion devices, and crack and hole caulking to keep out and repel pests, including replacing bird blocking screens.
Also required: Applying pesticides needs a WSDA commercial pesticide applicator license (RCW 17.21.070). This class covers exclusion construction only.
(53) Suspended ceilings and acoustical tile
Installs, modifies, or repairs suspended ceilings, including lay in grid systems with solid, perforated, or translucent panels.
(54) Swimming pools, spas and hot tubs
Builds, alters, and repairs permanent pools, spas, hot tubs, and their equipment, and may repair damaged acrylic, fiberglass, or porcelain tubs and showers.
May also need: plumber certification (chapter 18.106 RCW) and an electrical license (chapter 19.28 RCW), depending on the work.
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(55) Tanks and tank removal
Installs or removes fuel, grain, and other storage tanks, including related tank piping, such as those used for gasoline, diesel, propane, or chemicals.
May also need: an electrical license (chapter 19.28 RCW), depending on the work.
(56) Tile, ceramic, mosaic and natural and manufactured stone
Prepares surfaces and installs indoor tile and stone, including on bathtubs, showers, and horizontal surfaces. Hollow or structural partition tile is excluded.
May also need: plumber certification (chapter 18.106 RCW) and an electrical license (chapter 19.28 RCW), depending on the work.
Start a tile, ceramic, mosaic and natural and manufactured stone business in Washington →
(57) Tree removal
Cuts down or removes trees, stumps, and branches on or near residential or commercial property, structures, outbuildings, or fences.
(58) Utilities and telecommunications
Does excavation, cabling, boring, grading, and backfilling for utility or telecommunication systems up to the demarcation line, and installs pipes that carry steam, gases, and chemicals.
(59) Window coverings
Installs window treatment rods, handling devices, and covering products such as blinds, shutters, draperies, permanent screens, window guards, and temperature control film.
(60) Water conditioning equipment
Installs water conditioning or treatment equipment using only the pipe and fittings needed to connect it within six feet of the water supply, with drain lines routed to an approved drain.
May also need: plumber certification (chapter 18.106 RCW), depending on the work.
(61) Welding and ornamental metal
Installs, alters, removes, or repairs architectural, structural, and decorative steel, aluminum, or other metals using common welding methods.
(62) Well drilling
Installs and repairs water wells and pumps through boring, drilling, casing, cementing, and cleaning. May also install water conditioning equipment and do soil sampling.
Also required: Operators need a Department of Ecology license under chapter 18.104 RCW.
(63) Wood/pellet and gas stove
Installs wood, pellet, or gas stoves, zero clearance units, and fireplace inserts, including related air filtration, gas piping, chimneys, flues, and combustion air ducts.
May also need: plumber certification (chapter 18.106 RCW) and an electrical license (chapter 19.28 RCW), depending on the work.
Cite or link to this page
Free to quote with a link. Associations, schools, insurers, bonding agents and bookkeepers are welcome to link it as a Washington reference.
Link: <a href="https://contractorlane.com/resources/washington-specialty-contractor-classifications/">All 63 Washington Specialty Contractor Classes</a>
Cite: Contractor Lane, “All 63 Washington Specialty Contractor Classes.” Updated October 12, 2026. https://contractorlane.com/resources/washington-specialty-contractor-classifications/
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Sources
- WAC 296-200A-016: Specialty contractor classifications
- RCW 18.27.040: Contractor bond amounts
- L&I Form F625-001: Contractor registration application
- RCW 19.28.041: Electrical contractor license
- RCW 18.160.090: Fire sprinkler contractor bond
- RCW 70.87.240: Elevator contractor license
- RCW 18.104.020: Well contractor definitions
- RCW 17.21.070: Commercial pesticide applicator license
- WAC 296-150I-0100: Manufactured home installer supervision
- RCW 49.26.115: Asbestos contractor certificate
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