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The Complete Washington Contractor License Bond Guide
Many types of contractors in Washington need to post a contractor license bond to get a state license. These include general, specialty, electrical/telecommunications, farm labor, and fire sprinkler system contractors.
There are also bond requirements on the city and county level for certain types of contractors.
The purpose of the Washington contractor license bond is to ensure that you will follow all applicable laws and regulations in your operations as a contractor in the state. The bond protects the interests of your customers.
Questions about Contractor License Bonds in Washington
Who Needs a Washington Contractor License Bond?
On the state level, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) requires the following amounts from different types of contractors:
- $12,000 for general contractors (will increase to $30,000 on July 1, 2024)
- $6,000 for specialty contractors (will increase to $15,000 on July 1, 2024)
- $4,000 for electrical/telecommunications contractors
- $5,000 to $20,000 for farm labor contractors
The Washington State Patrol requires fire sprinkler system contractors to post different bond amounts, depending on the level of their license:
- $6,000 for a level 1, level 2, and level I & T license
- $10,000 for a level 3 and level U license
On the local level, cities and counties may also require you to get bonded as a part of their licensing procedure. The table below contains information about bond amounts for some locations.
Ready to get started with your bonding process? You can fill out our online application form to receive your free bond quote.
In case you want to bid on public or private construction projects, you can consult our detailed contractors bond guide.
What Is the Cost for a Washington State Contractor Bond?
To get bonded, you have to cover a small percentage of the bond amount you’re required to post.
The main factor that determines your Washington contractor license bond cost is your personal credit score. Your surety may also consider your personal and business finances, assets and liquidity, and industry experience. The better your overall profile is, the lower your premium would be.
The following table contains bond cost estimates per Washington contractor license type.
| Your Washington Contractor License Bond Cost per License Type | ||
| License Type | Bond Amount | Starting Price |
| General contractors | $12,000 | $120 |
| Specialty contractors | $6,000 | $100 |
| Electrical / telecommunications contractors | $4,000 | $100 |
| Fire sprinkler system contractors - level 1, level 2, and level I and T | $6,000 | $100 |
| Fire sprinkler system contractors - level 3, and level U | $10,000 | $100 |
| Farm labor contractors, less than 10 employees | $5,000 | $100 |
| Farm labor contractors, 11-50 employees | $10,000 | $100 |
| Farm labor contractors, 51-100 employees | $15,000 | $150 |
| Farm labor contractors, more than 101 employees | $20,000 | $200 |
| City of Redmond side sewer contractor | $5,000 | $100 |
| Lakehaven Utility District sewer service contractor | $10,000 | $100 |
| City of Seattle registered side sewer contractor (RSSC) | $30,000 | $300 |
If you need more details on the bond cost formation, you can review our How Much Does a Surety Bond Cost? guide.
Have more questions about your Washington contractor license bond? You can speak with our bonding specialists by calling us at (877)-514-5146.
What Are the Washington State Contractors License Requirements?
On the state level, the criteria for obtaining a general or specialty contractor license from the Washington Department of Labor and Industries include:
- Make your business entity registration with the Washington Secretary of State
- Get a business license from the state Department of Revenue
- Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS
- Get a general liability insurance policy with limits of $200,000 in public liability and $50,000 property damage, or of $250,000 combined single limit
- Complete your Application for Contractor Registration and notarize it
- Showcase relevant experience and pass the state exams (for general contractors who want to do plumbing, electrical, boilers, elevators, mobile home installation, or asbestos work)
- Post a $6,000 or $12,000 contractor license bond
- Pay a fee of $117.90 for a 2-year license
You can review the full list of requirements for general and specialty contractors in our Washington Contractor License Guide.
The licensing requirements on the local level are set by your city or county licensing authority. You’ll consult with them prior to launching your licensing process.
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Quick response times and turn around for issuing bonds. Great customer service and very knowledgeable. We have used Lance Surety multiple times and have never been disappointed. Highly recommend them and Collette!
Long story short, these guys cut through the B.S. and get the job done. Responsiveness, excellent! Communication, excellent! Respect for their industry partners, excellent! John, Collette, Ryan, you're all-stars! Thank you!
We decided for Lance Surety Bond's quote for 2 reasons; Price and Customer Service. Our Representative Ryan was just SUPERB!! [...] I highly recommend Lance Surety Bond for all your Bonding needs! I'll definitely come back for all of mine. :-) Thanks Ryan!
