How to Check a Contractor's License in Washington State

Washington state doesn't call it a "license." They call it a "registration." But whatever you call it, every contractor working in Washington must be registered with the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), bonded, and insured. No exceptions.

The good news is that Washington's verification tool is one of the better ones in the country. It's free, it's online, and it shows you everything you need to know about a contractor before you hire them. Here's exactly how to use it.

Does Washington state require a contractor license?

Yes — Washington calls it a registration, not a license, but the requirement is mandatory for any contractor doing work over $600 in combined labor and materials. Every registered contractor must also carry a surety bond and active liability insurance. The registration is managed by the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) and is publicly verifiable online.

You'll need at least one of these:

• The contractor's business name (most common)
• Their UBI (Unified Business Identifier) number (if you have it)
• Their L&I contractor registration number

Most people only have the business name from a yard sign, Google listing, or business card. That's perfectly fine and the easiest way to search.

What license database does Washington use?

Washington uses the L&I Contractor Verify tool at verify.lni.wa.gov. It is the official state database and shows registration status, bond information, liability insurance, workers' comp account status, specialty trade classifications, and complaint and infraction history — all in one place. It is free to use and requires no account.

Head to verify.lni.wa.gov which is the official Washington State Department of Labor & Industries contractor verification page. You'll see a simple search box where you can look up any contractor by name, registration number, or UBI number.

Type the contractor's business name into the search box. A few tips to get better results:

• Start with a partial name.Typing just the first word or two works better than the full business name. A search for "Pacific" will pull up "Pacific Northwest Builders," "Pacific Roofing LLC," and everything else starting with that word.
• Try variations.The registered name might differ from what they use on their ads. "Bob's Plumbing" might be registered as "Robert Smith Plumbing LLC."
• Use the registration number if you have it.This gives you an exact match every time. Ask the contractor directly for their registration number if the name search isn't working.

What should I check on the Washington contractor detail page?

Check six things: registration status ("Active"), registration expiration date, bond status and bonding company, liability insurance coverage, workers' comp account standing with L&I, and the complaints and infractions section. Washington is one of the few states that makes complaint history publicly visible — always review it before hiring.

Once you find the right contractor, click their name to see the full registration details. Washington's system shows you a lot of useful information:

• Registration status- should say "Active." Anything else (expired, suspended, revoked) is a problem.
• Registration dates- when they first registered and when it expires. Make sure it hasn't lapsed.
• Bond information- Washington requires all contractors to carry a surety bond. The bond protects you if the contractor doesn't fulfill the contract. You'll see the bond amount and the bonding company.
• Insurance information - should show current liability insurance. This covers property damage and injuries during the project.
• Workers' comp- Washington manages workers' comp through L&I (it's a state-run system, not private like most states). The listing will show whether the contractor is current on their industrial insurance account.
• Specialty trades- what type of work they're registered to do.
• Infractions and complaints - this is critical. Washington tracks complaints and infractions on the public record. Check this section carefully.

What to look for in the bond and insurance

Washington's bonding requirements vary depending on the type of contractor. General contractors need a higher bond than specialty contractors. Regardless of the amount, here's what matters:

• The bond must be current. If the bond has expired, the contractor is not legally allowed to work. An expired bond also means you have no financial protection if something goes wrong.
• Insurance must be active.Look for a current liability insurance policy. If they don't have one, you could be on the hook for property damage during the project.
• Workers' comp must be current.Since Washington runs its own workers' comp system through L&I, this is easy to verify. If a contractor's industrial insurance account is delinquent, that's a serious red flag.

Specialty trades: Electrical work is licensed separately

One thing that catches people off guard in Washington is that electrical work is handled differently. Electricians need a separate license issued by L&I through the electrical licensing program. A general contractor registration does not cover electrical work.

If you're hiring someone for electrical work, make sure they hold a valid electrical license in addition to (or instead of) a general contractor registration. You can verify electrical licenses through L&I as well.

Plumbing is another trade where you should check for specific credentials. Plumbers in Washington need a plumber's certificate of competency issued by L&I.

Check for complaints and infractions

Washington's verification tool shows complaints and infractions on a contractor's record. This is one of the most valuable parts of the system. Here's how to read it:

• Infractions- these are formal violations issued by L&I. They can be for things like working without registration, advertising without registration, or failing to carry a bond. Multiple infractions are a deal-breaker.
• Complaints- consumers can file complaints through L&I. The record shows how many complaints have been filed and whether they were resolved. A contractor with several unresolved complaints should make you cautious.
• One complaint isn't necessarily bad. Even good contractors can get a complaint from time to time. Look for patterns. A single resolved complaint from five years ago is very different from three active complaints in the last year.

Washington's consumer protections

Washington has some of the stronger consumer protections in the country when it comes to contractors. Here's what works in your favor:

• Mandatory registration.Any contractor doing work over $600 in labor and materials must be registered with L&I. No registration means they're operating illegally.
• Bond claims.If a registered contractor fails to complete work or does defective work, you can file a claim against their surety bond. This gives you a real financial remedy that doesn't require suing the contractor personally.
• L&I complaint process.You can file a formal complaint with L&I if a contractor violates the law. L&I investigates these complaints and can issue penalties.
• Written contract requirement. Washington law requires a written contract for any residential project over $1,000. The contract must include specific elements like the scope of work, start and completion dates, and payment schedule.

What if my contractor can't be found in the Washington database?

If nothing comes up at verify.lni.wa.gov, try a shorter partial name, the owner's personal name, or ask for the L&I registration number directly. If the contractor still cannot be found and the job exceeds $600, do not hire them. Working without registration in Washington is a gross misdemeanor — a contractor willing to break that law is likely cutting other corners too.

If a search on verify.lni.wa.gov turns up nothing, try these steps:

1. Search with fewer characters or just the first word of the name
2. Try the owner's personal name instead of the business name
3. Ask the contractor for their L&I registration number and search by that
4. Check if the name on their truck, website, or card matches their legal business name
5. Call L&I directly at 1-800-647-0982 and ask them to look it up

If the contractor is not registered at all, do not hire them. In Washington, working without registration is a gross misdemeanor. If someone is willing to break that law, they're probably cutting corners elsewhere too. You'll also have no bond to claim against and no L&I complaint process available to you if things go sideways.

The bottom line

Washington makes it straightforward to check a contractor's registration. The L&I verification tool at verify.lni.wa.gov shows you their registration status, bond, insurance, workers' comp, and complaint history all in one place. It takes five minutes. Do it before you sign anything, and make sure the contractor you're trusting with your home is actually registered, bonded, and insured.