Contractor Laws & Rules

Laws and rules about contractor registration can be found in the:

The laws and rules are maintained and updated by the State Office of the Code Reviser.

All Rulemakings in the Contractor Registration Program can be found here.

2025 rulemaking

L&I is considering a fee increase for services from the Contractor Registration, Electrical, Elevator, Factory Assembled Structures (FAS), and Plumber programs.

The fee increase would be 6.51% – needed to cover program operating expenses. The fee increase represents the adopted fiscal growth factor (average personal income growth over the past decade) for fiscal year 2027.

The agency filed a CR-101 Preproposal Statement on Inquiry on Dec. 2.

The fee increase would affect the following Washington Administrative Codes (WAC):

WAC 296-46B-906, Inspection Fees.

WAC 296-46B-909, Electrical/telecommunications contractor's license, administrator certificate and examination, master electrician certificate and examination, electrician certificate and examination, copy, and miscellaneous fees.

WAC 296-46B-911, Electrical testing laboratory and engineer accreditation fees.

WAC 296-96-00922, Licensing fees.

WAC 296-96-01085, Permit and inspection fees;

WAC 296-150C-3000, Commercial coach fees;

WAC 296-150F-3000, Factory-built housing and commercial structure fees;

WAC 296-150I-3000, Penalties, fees, and refunds;

WAC 296-150M-3000, Manufactured/mobile home fees;

WAC 296-150P-3000, Recreational park trailer fees;

WAC 296-150R-3000, Recreational vehicle fees;

WAC 296-150T-3000, Factory-built temporary worker housing fees; and

WAC 296-150V-3000, Conversion vendor units and medical units – Fees.

WAC 296-200A-900, What fees does the department charge contractors for issuance, renewal, reregistration, and reinstatement of certificates of registration?

WAC 296-400A-045, What fees does the department charge for issuance, renewal, relicensing, and reinstatement of a plumbing contractor license and plumbing certificates?

 Rulemaking documents

Notice of Intent

 Here’s what happens next:

  • Feb. 3, 2026: The Proposed rules (CR-102) is expected to be filed with the state Office of the Code Reviser.
  • March 12, 2026: A tentatively scheduled public hearing on the on the proposed rules is tentatively scheduled.
  • May 5, 2026: The final rules (CR-103) are expected to be filed with the state Office of the Code Reviser (CR-103).
  • July 1, 2026: The new rules are expected to take effect.

2025 rulemaking
Online Insurance

L&I is considering changes to state contractor registration and plumbing contractor licensing rules regarding submittal of documents. The changes under consideration would require insurance companies to electronically submit insurance documents and information to transition to an online insurance system for most applicants for contractor registration and plumbing contractor licensing.

The changes would affect rules under:

 About the rulemaking

Currently, L&I accepts paper copies of general liability insurance certificates, reinstatements, and cancellations for contractor registration and plumbing contractor licensing. The documents can be submitted by mail, electronically, and in-person. Either insurance companies or contractor applicants can submit the documents.

 This process is time-consuming, costly, and inefficient for both the agency and customers.

 L&I is considering changes to only accept the documents electronically from insurance companies through the online insurance system known as the Electronic Bond and Insurance Policy System (EBIPS). L&I would no longer accept paper copies by mail, in-person, or through any other electronic method for contractor registration or plumbing contractor licensing.

 The only exception would be for first-time applicants for contractor registration or plumbing contractor licensing. These first-time applicants could submit insurance documents and information in-person or through the U.S. Postal Service.

 Opportunities to comment

L&I filed a Pre-proposal Statement of Inquiry (CR-101) on April 22. This formally started the rulemaking process.

L&I has developed draft proposed rules (see below). We welcome your input on this draft proposal. This is your opportunity to comment before we file the Proposed Rules (CR-102). Please send your input to Meagan Edwards at FSPSRules@Lni.wa.gov. All preliminary input must be received by Friday, July 25.

 There will also be opportunities to provide comments during the formal public comment period. L&I expects to file the Proposed Rules (CR-102) in September 2025. We will provide updates on the filing, when the public comment period begins, and when the public hearing will take place.

Rulemaking documents
Notice of intent (04/22/2025)

 CR-101 Pre-Proposal Statement of Inquiry.

Draft Rule Language – Version 1

 Here’s what happens next:

  • TBD: Proposed rules (CR-102) are expected to be filed.
  • TBD: Public hearings will be scheduled on the proposed rules on dates to be determined.
  • TBD: Final rules (CR-103) are expected to be adopted.
  • TBD: New rules would take effect.

2025 rulemaking
2SHB 1534 Implementation – Phase 3

L&I is considering changes to the state’s contractor registration rules to implement a new Homeowner Recovery Program. The amendments are necessary because of legislation that passed in 2023.

The changes would affect Chapter 296-200A WAC, Contractor Certificate of Registration Renewals – Security – Insurance.

 L&I filed a CR-101 Preproposal Statement of Inquiry on May 6.

How to participate

L&I has drafted changes to the rules. The latest version of the draft proposed rules is now available below.

We welcome your input on this draft proposal. This is your opportunity to provide input before we file the CR-102 Proposed Rules. Please send input to Alicia Curry at FSPS Rules@Lni.wa.gov. All preliminary input must be received by Friday, Dec. 19, 2025.

There will also be opportunities to provide comments during the formal public comment period. L&I expects to file the CR-102 Proposed Rulemaking in January 2026. We will provide updates on the filing, when the public comment period begins, and when the date is announced for the public hearing.

 About the new laws

Second Substitute House Bill 1534 (2SHB 1534) (Chapter 213, Laws of 2023) passed in 2023, helped to strengthen protection for consumers in the construction industry. Under the law, L&I established a new Homeowner Recovery Program in 2024.

The program provides a safeguard and a path to financial recovery for consumers harmed by construction contractors. Beginning July 1, 2026, eligible construction consumers can apply for recovery payments for financial loss stemming for construction contractor work.

This rulemaking considers amendments to administer the newly established program and ensure access for construction consumers.

L&I has been implementing provisions of the statutory changes in 2SHB 1534 in multiple phases of rulemaking. This rulemaking initiates the final phase.

If adopted, the new rules would take effect July 1, 2026.
Rulemaking documents
Notice of intent (05/06/2025)

CR-101 Preproposal Statement of Inquiry

 Draft Rule Language (12/2/2025)

 Here’s what happens next:

  • January 20, 2026: Proposed rules (CR-102) are expected to be filed.
  • February 2026: Public hearings will be scheduled on the proposed rules on dates to be determined.
  • April 21, 2026: Final rules (CR-103) are expected to be adopted.
  • July 1, 2026: New rules would take effect.

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