Contractor License Renewal in Washington (2026)

Contractor license renewal in Washington is handled by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — Contractor Registration, 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.

Washington Contractor renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	Contractor registration is valid for two years and must be renewed before its expiration date to remain active. If it lapses, the registration can be reinstated (online or in person) by paying the reinstatement fee and re-establishing the required bond/insurance. The expiration date is two years from the original registration/last renewal date (not a fixed statewide date).
CE hours required	None required
Renewal fee	$141.10
Online renewal	Yes
Governing body	Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — Contractor Registration

Go to the official Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — Contractor Registration renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — Contractor Registration. automated research workflow (official washington contractor board), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for Contractors in Washington

No continuing education is required for general (or specialty) contractor registration in Washington. Washington does not use a competency exam for general contractor registration; registration is bond/insurance based rather than CE-based.

Need approved hours? Compare Washington Contractor CE courses (some links are affiliate links).

How to renew your Contractor license in Washington

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — Contractor Registration 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: Washington does NOT issue a traditional general-contractor "license"; instead all construction contractors must REGISTER with the Dept of Labor & Industries (L&I). This is the state-level credential equivalent to a GC license. There are two registration types: GENERAL (can perform most types of construction work and hire subcontractors; requires a $30,000 surety bond as of July 1, 2024) and SPECIALTY (limited to one of ~63 listed specialties, cannot hire subcontractors; $15,000 bond). Both pay the same $141.10 renewal fee for a 2-year term. There is no statewide exam or CE for general registration, but separate state licenses are required for specific trades (electrical, plumbing, elevators, etc.). The $66.60 figure listed as late_fee_usd is the reinstatement fee charged to reactivate an expired registration (L&I does not publish a separate "late renewal" surcharge; reinstatement also requires re-proof of bond/insurance). Renewal also requires maintaining current bond and liability insurance.

Contractor license renewal in Washington: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my Contractor license in Washington?

Washington Contractor licenses renew every 24 months. Contractor registration is valid for two years and must be renewed before its expiration date to remain active. If it lapses, the registration can be reinstated (online or in person) by paying the reinstatement fee and re-establishing the required bond/insurance. The expiration date is two years from the original registration/last renewal date (not a fixed statewide date).

How many CE hours are required to renew an Contractor license in Washington?

Washington does not require continuing-education hours to renew a standard Contractor license. No continuing education is required for general (or specialty) contractor registration in Washington. Washington does not use a competency exam for general contractor registration; registration is bond/insurance based rather than CE-based. Confirm the current rule with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — Contractor Registration.

Can I renew my Washington Contractor license online?

Yes — Washington offers online renewal through the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — Contractor Registration. Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my Washington Contractor license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. A late fee of about $66.6 may apply. Contact the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — Contractor Registration promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: General Contractor renewal