The state gives you two ways to hit the liability minimum. Pick wrong and your certificate can get rejected.
To register, you carry general liability insurance meeting one of two thresholds: $200,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit. Either satisfies L&I — you do not need both.
A combined single limit ($250,000) is one pool that covers either bodily injury or property damage up to that amount. Split limits ($200k/$50k) cap each category separately. For most new contractors a $250,000 combined single limit policy is the simplest way to clearly meet the requirement on the certificate.
Make sure the business name on your insurance certificate matches your registered name and UBI exactly — character for character. A mismatched certificate is one of the quiet reasons applications get held up. It is a five-minute fix if you catch it before filing and a frustrating delay if you do not.
Plumbing contractors carry a $250,000 liability certificate as part of their trade license. For electrical contractors, L&I encourages liability insurance but does not record it — which does not mean skip it. Carry real coverage regardless.
You need the certificate in hand to file. Line up the bond and insurance, then file Form F625-001 — doing it in that order keeps you from paying for coverage while your application sits.
The free builder points you to the insurance requirement. The paid roadmap goes deeper on certificate wording and filing order.
Build My Free RoadmapPrimary Washington state agencies first, then supporting references. Figures verified July 2026 — always re-check current amounts before you file.