Washington contractor registration lookup with L&I
How to check a Washington contractor with L&I's Verify tool: registration, bond, insurance, the workers' comp account, and electrical and plumbing licenses.
Updated
Washington requires every construction contractor to register with the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). To look one up, use L&I's Verify a Contractor, Tradesperson or Business tool and search by name, registration or license number, or UBI number. The record shows the registration status, bond, liability insurance, workers' comp account, lawsuits against the bond, and violations.
Registration is not a competency license
A Washington contractor registration proves the business filed a bond and insurance and has the right state accounts. It does not test skill. L&I registers contractors as either general contractors, who may perform more than one trade, or specialty contractors, who may perform only the trade they registered for. Check that a specialty registration matches the work in your subcontract.
Electrical and plumbing are different. They are licensed under separate laws, with their own contractor licenses and individual certificates of competency, and they show in the same Verify tool.
| Who | What L&I issues | Bond on file |
|---|---|---|
| General contractor | Registration | $30,000 |
| Specialty contractor | Registration | $15,000 |
| Electrical contractor | License, with an assigned master electrician or administrator | $4,000 |
| Plumbing contractor | License, required since July 2021, with a certified plumber | $6,000 |
Bond and insurance on file
The registration bond amounts rose on July 1, 2024, from $12,000 to $30,000 for general contractors and from $6,000 to $15,000 for specialty contractors. Contractors registered before then move to the higher bond when they renew, so you may still see older amounts. The bond pays claims for unpaid labor, unpaid suppliers, taxes owed to the state, and breach of contract, up to its face amount.
Registered contractors must also carry general liability insurance of $200,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit. Registration lasts two years. If the bond is canceled or has an unpaid judgment, or the insurance is canceled, the registration is suspended automatically on the date of the lapse. That is why the Verify record is worth checking on the day you sign, not just at onboarding.
The liability limits L&I requires are far below what most GCs and property managers ask for. Your contract requirements still come from your certificate of insurance, not the registration. See general liability limits explained.
Workers' comp is a state fund
Washington does not allow private workers' compensation coverage. Employers buy it from L&I or are certified self-insured. So a subcontractor's ACORD certificate will not show Washington workers' comp, and the Verify record is where you confirm it.
This matters to a GC. Under RCW 51.12.070, a general contractor can be held liable for a subcontractor's unpaid workers' comp premiums. L&I says you are protected only if six conditions are true, including that both of you are registered or licensed, that you do not supervise the sub's workers, and that the sub has a workers' comp account in good standing. L&I's advice is to check that account when you hire a sub and every year, print the certificate of coverage from Verify, and keep it on file. You can also file a tracking request, and L&I will notify you if the sub falls behind on workers' comp.
How to check a contractor
- Search Verify by business name, registration number, or UBI.
- Confirm the registration is active and the type, general or specialty, fits the work.
- Check the bond and insurance sections for current accounts and any lawsuits against the bond.
- Check that the workers' comp account is active and paid to date.
- Review license violations, L&I tax debts, strikes, and public works debarments.
- For electrical or plumbing work, confirm the contractor license and the certified individuals.
What to ask a subcontractor for
- The L&I registration or license number and UBI number
- The exact legal name, matching the registration and certificate
- For electrical and plumbing, the contractor license number and the names of certified workers
- A certificate of insurance meeting your contract limits
Common traps
- Registered, not qualified. Registration is not a competency license.
- Specialty outside its trade. A painting registration does not cover framing.
- Suspended overnight. A canceled bond or policy suspends the registration automatically.
- Out-of-state workers' comp. A private policy from another state does not replace a Washington L&I account for work here, except under narrow reciprocity rules.
- Name mismatch. The bond and insurance must be in the exact business name on the registration.
Rules change, so confirm current requirements with L&I. Cities may also require a business license and permits. This is not legal advice.
For related reading, see certificate of insurance red flags.
Track it with ComplySub
ComplySub checks contractor license status for California, Colorado, Texas, and Florida. Washington registration tracking is not built in yet, so keep the L&I record in the vendor file. For the insurance side, ComplySub checks a Washington sub's certificates against the requirements you set once and flags gaps and expirations. Vendors upload through a link without an account, and reminders go out before dates lapse.
This guide is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Insurance and licensing rules vary by state, carrier, and contract; confirm what applies to you with your insurance professional, attorney, or licensing board.