Contractor License Renewal in District of Columbia (2026)

Contractor license renewal in District of Columbia is handled by the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) - Business Licensing Division, which requires General Contractors to renew every 24 months. Below are the renewal deadline rule, continuing-education (CE) hours, fees, and a direct link to the official renewal page — last verified 2026-06-01. This is an unofficial guide; always confirm the details with the board before you file.

District of Columbia Contractor renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	License is term-based, not tied to a fixed calendar date. The General Contractor/Construction Manager Basic Business License is issued for a chosen term (6-month, 2-year, or 4-year) and must be renewed on or before its expiration date; the expiration is staggered based on each license's issue/term, not a uniform statewide deadline. Standard term is 2 years.
CE hours required	None required
Renewal fee	$99.00
Online renewal	Yes
Governing body	DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) - Business Licensing Division

Go to the official DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) - Business Licensing Division renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) - Business Licensing Division. automated research workflow (official district-of-columbia contractor board), confidence medium.

Continuing-education requirements for Contractors in District of Columbia

No continuing education is required to renew the General Contractor/Construction Manager license under the current DLCP Basic Business License regime. Renewal eligibility instead hinges on maintaining liability insurance, a valid Certificate of Occupancy/Home Occupation Permit, corporate/tax registration, and a Clean Hands Certificate (no outstanding DC debt over $100).

Need approved hours? Compare District of Columbia Contractor CE courses (some links are affiliate links).

How to renew your Contractor license in District of Columbia

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) - Business Licensing Division portal.
Submit the renewal application and pay the current fee online.
Keep proof of CE and your renewal confirmation for your records.

Good to know: DC is a single federal-district jurisdiction; "state-level" licensing = DC-level via DLCP (formerly DCRA). The General Contractor (categories A, B, C, G & H)/Construction Manager license is a Basic Business License (BBL) endorsement issued by DLCP. Official fee schedule (dlcp.dc.gov node 1618551): 6-month $49 (GC/CM only), 2-year $99, 4-year $198. The $99 figure is the GC/CM endorsement fee for the standard 2-year term; third-party sites cite higher totals (e.g., ~$654.50) that bundle additional BBL costs, and an unofficial $50 late fee was reported but is NOT confirmed on a .gov source, so late_fee is null. Renewal requirements: liability insurance, Certificate of Occupancy/Home Occupation Permit, corporate registration (if applicable), tax registration + Clean Hands Certificate. Home Improvement Contractor is a separate license (2-yr/4-yr only, requires a $25,000 surety bond). MAJOR REGIME CHANGE PENDING: D.C. Law 25-244 (General Contractor Licensing Amendment Act of 2024, effective Dec 17, 2024) creates a new Board of Construction Managers and General Contractors with new Construction Manager / Commercial Contractor / Residential Contractor licenses requiring experience, exams, and a Guaranty & Education Fund fee; its provisions apply no earlier than Jan 1, 2026 (subject to budget inclusion). As of mid-2026 the operative renewal facts remain the DLCP BBL GC/CM endorsement above; the board-administered scheme's renewal fees/cycle/CE are not yet published on .gov.

Contractor license renewal in District of Columbia: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my Contractor license in District of Columbia?

District of Columbia Contractor licenses renew every 24 months. License is term-based, not tied to a fixed calendar date. The General Contractor/Construction Manager Basic Business License is issued for a chosen term (6-month, 2-year, or 4-year) and must be renewed on or before its expiration date; the expiration is staggered based on each license's issue/term, not a uniform statewide deadline. Standard term is 2 years.

How many CE hours are required to renew an Contractor license in District of Columbia?

District of Columbia does not require continuing-education hours to renew a standard Contractor license. No continuing education is required to renew the General Contractor/Construction Manager license under the current DLCP Basic Business License regime. Renewal eligibility instead hinges on maintaining liability insurance, a valid Certificate of Occupancy/Home Occupation Permit, corporate/tax registration, and a Clean Hands Certificate (no outstanding DC debt over $100). Confirm the current rule with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) - Business Licensing Division.

Can I renew my District of Columbia Contractor license online?

Yes — District of Columbia offers online renewal through the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) - Business Licensing Division. Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my District of Columbia Contractor license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. Late or reactivation fees may apply. Contact the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) - Business Licensing Division promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: General Contractor renewal