Moving to Washington as a residential contractor: every state's rule

1. 1Application fee. Pay the application fee ($150.20). Contractor registration fee (WAC 296-200A-900), which covers a two-year registration. Pay by check or money order payable to the Department of Labor & Industries when applying by mail; L&I offices accept all forms of payment in person. There is no separate exam or license issuance fee..
2. 2Surety bond. Post a surety bond ($30,000). Continuous Contractor's Surety Bond naming the State of Washington as obligee, issued by a surety authorized under chapter 48.28 RCW: $30,000 for a General contractor registration, or $15,000 if you register in a single specialty trade. The original bond is filed with the application, or the surety files it through L&I's electronic bond and insurance system. You may instead assign a savings account for the same amount at a bank, savings and loan or credit union with a Washington branch. The bond must carry the exact business name registered with the Department of Revenue, and its cancellation automatically suspends the registration. A contractor with final judgments involving a residential single-family dwelling in the previous five years may be required to post more: for a General registration $40,000 after one judgment, $60,000 after two and $90,000 after three or more (Specialty $20,000, $30,000 and $45,000)..
3. 3Insurance. Carry the required insurance ($250,000). General liability insurance of $200,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage, or a $250,000 combined single limit, written in the exact business name with L&I listed as certificate holder. The original certificate goes to L&I with the application, or the insurer files it electronically. Cancellation or expiry of the policy automatically suspends the registration..
4. 4Business license. Obtain a business license. A Business License Application filed with the Department of Revenue, which issues the nine-digit Uniform Business Identifier (UBI) and opens an excise tax account; L&I will not process the registration until both are verified. A corporation, limited partnership, LLP or LLC files with the Secretary of State first. The Department of Revenue's application fee varies with the endorsements the business needs, and mailed business license applications can take up to six weeks; see dor.wa.gov..
5. 5Other. Application for Construction Contractor Registration (F625-001-000), with a separately notarized affidavit from each owner, member, partner and corporate officer giving their legal name as shown on government-issued photo ID, the ID number, a Social Security number or ITIN, date of birth and residential address. Signatures must be original, so copies and emailed applications are not accepted. File it at a local L&I office, where staff can help complete it and notarize signatures for applicants who are present, or mail it with the bond, insurance certificate and fee to Contractor Registration, PO Box 44450, Olympia WA 98504-4450..
6. 6Other. A workers' compensation account with L&I and an Employment Security Department number if you will hire employees in Washington, both opened through the Department of Revenue; a business with no Washington employees gives its UBI instead. Unless you are a sole proprietor with no employees, you also need a federal Employer Identification Number from the IRS..

Published fees on this path total $150.20, excluding exam-vendor fees, bonds, and insurance.