Registering as a Contractor
 

How to renew your registration

Is your a company an LLC, Corporation or LLP?

If yes, print the Contractor Registration Officers/Members Addendum (194 KB PDF) form and have it signed and notarized for each officer/member of your company. Mail the completed form to PO Box 44450 Olympia WA 98504 after you complete your renewal online.
Contractor Specialty List (51 KB PDF)

Has your business changed since you last registered?

If your business has changed in any of the following ways, you will NOT be able to renew until you take the action described in the items below to correct the problem.

Expand/collapse all

  • Expand/collapse New bonding company/bond amount. (L&I does not have a current bond for your company)
    I have a new bonding company/bond amount since I last renewed. The old bond expired (or was canceled). What is needed to renew my registration?

    To renew your registration, we must have:

    1. Your new surety bond. ($6000 for specialty contractors/$12,000 for general contractors on file with L&I)
      • It must be signed by your bonding agent.
      • It must be affixed with the bonding company’s seal.
      • It must be the original document, not a photocopy.
      • It may not have any errors, corrections, or "white-outs."
      • It must reach L&I before the “filing date” shown on the bond.
      • It must show the name of your business exactly as you want it registered with L&I.
    2. Your original, current Certificate of Liability Insurance (for at least $250,000) on file with L&I.
    3. Your payment of $113.40, made payable to: Department of Labor & Industries.

    Note: Include your registration renewal card with your paperwork. It will help L&I process your renewal quickly.

  • Expand/collapse New insurance policy. (L&I does not have current liability insurance for your company)
    I bought a new insurance policy since I last renewed. The old policy is now expired (or was canceled) and my new policy has not been registered with L&I. What is needed to renew or reinstate my registration?

    To renew or reinstate your registration, we must have:

    1. Your new certificate of general liability insurance ($250,000) on file with L&I.
      • It must be signed by your insurance agent.
      • It must be the original document, not a photocopy.
      • It must not have any errors, corrections, or "white-outs."
      • It must show the name of your business exactly as you want it registered with L&I.
    2. Your original, current surety bond or Assignment of Account ($6000 for specialty contractors/$12,000 for general contractors on file with L&I.)
    3. Your payment of $113.40, made payable to: Department of Labor & Industries.

    Note: Include your registration renewal card with your paperwork. It will help L&I process your renewal quickly.

  • Expand/collapse Change from sole proprietorship to partnership.
    I have changed my business from a sole proprietorship to a partnership since I last renewed. What is needed to renew my registration?
  • Expand/collapse Change from partnership/corporation to sole proprietorship.
    I have changed my business from a partnership/corporation/limited liability corporation to a sole proprietorship since I last renewed. What is needed to renew my registration?
  • Expand/collapse Change partners.
    My business partner/partners have changed since I last renewed. What is needed to renew my registration?
  • Expand/collapse Change to a corporation.
    I have changed my business to a corporation since I last renewed. What is needed to renew my registration?
  • Expand/collapse Change to a limited liability corporation (LLC).
    I have changed my business to a limited liability partnership or limited liability corporation since I last renewed. What is needed to renew my registration?
  • Expand/collapse Change corporate officers.
    My business changed its corporate officers since I last renewed. What is needed to renew my registration?

    To renew your registration, we must have:

    1. A completed Contractor Registration Officers/Members Addendum (194 KB PDF) for each officer/member. This form must be the original, not a photocopy and signatures must be notarized.
    2. Your original, current surety bond or assignment of account ($6000 for specialty contractors/$12,000 for general contractors on file with L&I.)
    3. Your original, current Certificate of Liability Insurance (for $250,000) on file with L&I.
    4. Your payment of $113.40, made payable to: Department of Labor & Industries.
      Please include:
    5. You may bring all required documents and your payment to your local L&I office, or send to:

      Washington Department of Labor & Industries
      Contractor Registration Section
      PO Box 44450
      Olympia, WA 98504-4450

  • Expand/collapse Business name change.
    I have changed the name of my business since I last renewed. What is needed to renew my registration?

    To renew your registration, we must have:

    Note: Changing your company name will change your Contractor Registration number. You will need to update all advertising with your new registration number.
    1. A name-change rider from your bonding company. (We will keep your original, current surety bond on file with L&I.) Or, if you have an Assignment of Savings account on file with L&I instead of a bond, fill out a Reassignment of Savings Account form to change the business name on the account.
    2. A new, current Certificate of Liability Insurance (for $250,000) showing your new business name.

    3. Your payment of $113.40 (or $53.60 if you are changing the business name on a current registration that is not up for renewal), made payable to: Department of Labor & Industries.

    4. Please include your registration renewal card with your paperwork. It will help L&I process your renewal quickly.

    5. You may bring the required documents and your payment to your local L&I office or send to:

      Washington Department of Labor & Industries
      Contractor Registration Section
      PO Box 44450
      Olympia, WA 98504-4450

  • Expand/collapse Canceled insurance/suspended registration.
    My insurance was canceled, and L&I suspended my registration. What is needed to reinstate my registration?

    If you still want to work as a contractor, we must have:

    1. A reinstatement notice from the insurance company that canceled your coverage, or a certificate of liability insurance with a new policy number.
    2. Your original, current surety bond or Assignment of Account ($6000 for specialty contractors/$12,000 for general contractors)on file with L&I.
    3. A reinstatement fee of $53.60. Make your check out to the Department of Labor & Industries.
    4. You may bring the required materials and your payment to your local L&I office or send to:

      Washington Department of Labor & Industries
      Contractor Registration Section
      PO Box 44450
      Olympia, WA 98504-4450

  • Expand/collapse Canceled bond/suspended registration.
    My bond was canceled and L&I suspended my registration. What is needed to reinstate my registration?

    If you still want to work as a contractor, we must have:

    1. A reinstatement notice from the bonding company that canceled your coverage. Or, if you have changed your bonding company, we must have your new, original contractor’s surety bond. (This cannot be a photocopy).
    2. Your original, current Certificate of Liability Insurance (for $250,000) on file with L&I.
    3. A reinstatement fee of $53.60. Make your check out to the Department of Labor & Industries.
    4. You may bring the required materials and your payment to your local L&I office or send to:

      Washington Department of Labor & Industries
      Contractor Registration Section
      PO Box 44450
      Olympia, WA 98504-4450

  • Expand/collapse Unpaid/Outstanding infractions.
    I have an outstanding, unpaid infraction with L&I — or with a collection agency. What is needed to renew my registration?

    To renew your registration, you must:

    1. Call the L&I infraction desk at 360-902-5205 and make arrangements to either pay your bill in full or negotiate a payment plan.
    2. If your bill has been sent to a collection agency, you must pay them in full and provide L&I verification that your debt has been paid.
    3. We will also need:
      • Your original, current surety bond or Assignment of Account. ($6,000 for specialty contractors/$12,000 for general contractors on file with L&I)
      • Your original, current Certificate of Liability Insurance (for $250,000) on file with L&I.
      • Your payment of $113.40, made payable to: Department of Labor & Industries.
    4. Important note: All documents should be received in one packet. Include your registration renewal card with your paperwork. This will help L&I process your renewal quickly.
    5. You may bring the required documents and your payment to your local L&I office or send to:

      Washington Department of Labor & Industries
      Contractor Registration Section
      PO Box 44450
      Olympia, WA 98504-4450

  • Expand/collapse Unsatisfied judgment.
    I have an unsatisfied legal judgment against my company. What is needed to renew my registration?

    To renew or reinstate your contractor registration you must:

    1. Pay the judgment in full and provide L&I with a copy of the Satisfaction of Judgment.
    2. Ask L&I whether you will be required to provide a new surety bond or Assignment of Account. If you have questions, please call L&I’s Summons & Complaints desk: 360-902-5214.
    3. Pay the renewal fee of $113.40, made payable to the Department of Labor & Industries.
    4. Important note: All documents should be received in one packet. Include your registration renewal card with your paperwork. This will help L&I process your renewal quickly.

    5. You may bring the required documents and your payment to your local L&I office or send them to:

      Washington Department of Labor & Industries
      Contractor Registration Section
      PO Box 44450
      Olympia, WA 98504-4450

  • Expand/collapse Change from a general to a specialty contractor.
    I want to change from general contractor to a specialty contractor. What is needed to renew my registration?

    Note: You cannot change from a general contractor to a specialty contractor in the middle of your registration period. Currently this change can only be made when you renew.

    To renew your registration:

    1. Look up your new Specialty Contractor code.
      Note: You will need to choose one (1) specialty trade only. If you want to continue working in two or more trades, you must remain a general contractor.
    2. Write L&I a short note to explain the change. Make sure you include the following: Here is a sample message: “I would like to change from a general to a specialty contractor. My specialty trade is: Weather stripping."
    3. Make sure your surety bond ($6000 for specialty contractors/$12,000 for general contractors is on file with L&I).
    4. If you decide to lower your bond amount, you must submit a new, original surety bond. Ask the company to send the new bond to you so that you may submit it to L&I with the rest of your materials.
      • It must be signed by your bonding agent.
      • It must be affixed with the bonding company’s seal.
      • It must be the original document, not a photocopy.
      • It may not have any errors, corrections, or "white-outs."
      • It must reach L&I before the “filing date” shown on the bond.
      • It must show the name of your business exactly as you want it registered with L&I.
    5. Make sure your original, current Certificate of Liability Insurance (for $250,000) is on file with L&I.
    6. Your payment of $113.40, made payable to the Department of Labor & Industries.
    7. Important note: All documents should be received in one packet. Include your registration renewal card with your paperwork. This will help L&I process your renewal quickly.
    8. You may bring all required materials and your payment to your local L&I office, or send them to:

      Washington Department of Labor & Industries
      Contractor Registration Section
      PO Box 44450
      Olympia, WA 98504-4450

  • Expand/collapse Change from a specialty to a general contractor.
    I want to change from a specialty contractor to a general contractor. What is needed to renew my registration?

    Note: You may change from a specialty contractor to a general contractor at any time during the year. However, if you change mid-year, the cost is $53.60. If you change at the time of renewal, there is no extra charge; only the regular renewal fee.

    To renew your registration:

    1. Write L&I a short note to explain the change. Make sure you include the following:
      • Your contractor registration number.
      • Your signature.
      Here is a sample message: “I would like to change from a specialty to a general contractor."

    2. Contact your bonding company. You must upgrade your bond amount or increase your Assignment of Account from $6000 (for specialty contractors) to $12,000 (for general contractors). Ask the company to send the new bond to you, so that you may submit it to L&I with the rest of your materials.
      • It must be signed by your bonding agent.
      • It must be affixed with the bonding company’s seal.
      • It must be the original document, not a photocopy.
      • It may not have any errors, corrections, or "white-outs."
      • It must reach L&I before the “filing date” shown on the bond.
      • It must show the name of your business exactly as you want it registered with L&I.
    3. Make sure your current Certificate of Liability Insurance (for $250,000) is on file with L&I.
    4. Your payment of $113.40, made payable to the Department of Labor & Industries.
    5. IMPORTANT: All documents should be received in one packet. Include your registration renewal card with your paperwork. This will help L&I process your renewal quickly.
    6. You may bring all required materials and your payment to your local L&I office, or send them to:

      Washington Department of Labor & Industries
      Contractor Registration Section
      PO Box 44450
      Olympia, WA 98504-4450

  • Expand/collapse Change specialty.
    I have changed my specialty. What is needed to renew my registration?

    Note: You may change your specialty only at the time you renew.

    To renew your registration:

    1. Look up your new Specialty Contractor code.
      Note: You will need to choose one (1) specialty trade only. If you want to work in two or more trades, you must register as a general contractor.
    2. Write L&I a short note to explain the change. Make sure you include the following: Here is a sample message: “I would like to change my specialty trade. My old specialty trade is: Weather stripping. My new specialty trade is: Insulation."
    3. Make sure your surety bond ($6000 for specialty contractors/$12,000 for general contractors is on file with L&I).
    4. Make sure your current Certificate of Liability Insurance (for $250,000) is on file with L&I.
    5. Your payment of $113.40, made payable to the Department of Labor & Industries.
    6. You may bring all required materials and your payment to your local L&I office, or send them to:

      Washington Department of Labor & Industries
      Contractor Registration Section
      PO Box 44450
      Olympia, WA 98504-4450

Required Documentation: Make sure L&I has current copies of each of these.

L&I must have current original copies of the documents described below on file before you can renew.

    • A surety bond or assignment of account from your insurance agent.
      • $12,000 for a general contractor (Can perform or supervise numerous building trades or crafts.)
      • $6,000 for a specialty contractor (Can perform only one building trade or craft.)
    • Make sure your insurance company has sent in your current certificate of general liability insurance coverage.
      • $50,000 property damage policy and $200,000 public liability policy OR
      • $250,000 combined single limit policy.

      NOTE: Originals of your bond and insurance must be on file to complete your registration renewal.

    • Submit the Contractor Registration Renewal card you received in the mail and/or any other documentation required by one of the situations listed above if needed to L&I.

Choose one of the three following ways to renew:

by Computer  Renew online any time of day.

To complete the renewal process online, you will need:

  • All the above required documentation on file with L&I.
  • An active Contractor Registration (not suspended or canceled).
  • Your 12-digit Contractor Registration number.
  • Your Social Security Number or UBI number.
  • A VISA or MasterCard (no debit cards).

Note: Be sure you have taken care of any 'obstacles to renewing' listed above.

Pay and apply online NOW using
L&I’s Get or Renew a License system (QuickCards) secure form
by Mail  Renew by mail.

Submit the Contractor Registration Renewal card you received in the mail, the Required Documentation listed above and/or any other documentation required by one of the situations listed above and your check or money order to L&I:

Department of Labor & Industries
Contractor Registration Section
PO Box 44450
Olympia, WA 98504-4450

Note: Be sure you have taken care of any 'obstacles to renewing' listed above.

by Walk-in  Walk in to any local L&I office.

Bring your completed renewal card and required documentation to your nearest local L&I office. You can pay by cash, check, money order or credit card.

Note: Be sure you have taken care of any 'obstacles to renewing' listed above.


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