Roofing license
Roofing license requirements in Washington
Yes — Washington requires every contractor, including roofers, to register with the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) before doing any work for compensation, no matter how small the job; roofing is regulated as one of L&I's specialty contractor classifications.
The short answer
Yes — Washington requires every contractor, including roofers, to register with the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) before doing any work for compensation, no matter how small the job; roofing is regulated as one of L&I's specialty contractor classifications.
Do you need a license to roof in Washington?
Contractor Registration — General Contractor or Specialty Contractor (roofing is one of L&I's roughly 63 specialty classifications; most roofing businesses register as a Specialty Contractor).
Who issues it: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), Contractor Registration Section.
Last verified: 2026-07-19
Washington roofing license at a glance
Every figure here is a plain-English starting point read from the official state board — always confirm the current requirements at the source before you rely on them.
License type / class
Contractor Registration — General Contractor or Specialty Contractor (roofing is one of L&I's roughly 63 specialty classifications; most roofing businesses register as a Specialty Contractor).
Issuing board
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), Contractor Registration Section — lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/contractors/register-as-a-contractor
Exam required
No
Experience / qualification
None required for registration — Washington's contractor registration is not a trade exam or experience-based license; you qualify by meeting the bond, insurance, and business-registration requirements below.
Bond
$30,000 surety bond for General Contractors; $15,000 for Specialty Contractors such as roofing (increased from $12,000/$6,000 effective July 1, 2024 under RCW 18.27.040), or an assignment of savings in the same amount instead of a bond.
Insurance minimum
Public liability and property damage insurance of at least $200,000 per occurrence for public liability and $50,000 for property damage, or a combined single limit of $250,000.
Application fee
$150.20 to register (also the renewal fee); $70.90 to reinstate a lapsed registration.
Renewal
Every 2 years from the date of issue (RCW 18.27.060), for the same $150.20 fee, with an active bond and insurance certificate on file.
Reciprocity
None — Washington has no general reciprocity agreement for contractor registration; out-of-state roofing contractors must complete the full WA registration (business registration, bond, insurance) like any other applicant. (Washington does have narrow trade-license reciprocity for electricians with Oregon and journey-level plumbers with Idaho, which doesn't apply to roofing/contractor registration.)
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| License type / class | Contractor Registration — General Contractor or Specialty Contractor (roofing is one of L&I's roughly 63 specialty classifications; most roofing businesses register as a Specialty Contractor). |
| Issuing board | Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), Contractor Registration Section — lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/contractors/register-as-a-contractor |
| Exam required | No |
| Experience / qualification | None required for registration — Washington's contractor registration is not a trade exam or experience-based license; you qualify by meeting the bond, insurance, and business-registration requirements below. |
| Bond | $30,000 surety bond for General Contractors; $15,000 for Specialty Contractors such as roofing (increased from $12,000/$6,000 effective July 1, 2024 under RCW 18.27.040), or an assignment of savings in the same amount instead of a bond. |
| Insurance minimum | Public liability and property damage insurance of at least $200,000 per occurrence for public liability and $50,000 for property damage, or a combined single limit of $250,000. |
| Application fee | $150.20 to register (also the renewal fee); $70.90 to reinstate a lapsed registration. |
| Renewal | Every 2 years from the date of issue (RCW 18.27.060), for the same $150.20 fee, with an active bond and insurance certificate on file. |
| Reciprocity | None — Washington has no general reciprocity agreement for contractor registration; out-of-state roofing contractors must complete the full WA registration (business registration, bond, insurance) like any other applicant. (Washington does have narrow trade-license reciprocity for electricians with Oregon and journey-level plumbers with Idaho, which doesn't apply to roofing/contractor registration.) |
How to get a roofing license in Washington
- Register your business with the WA Department of Revenue to get a Unified Business Identifier (UBI).
- Obtain a $30,000 (general) or $15,000 (specialty/roofing) Washington Continuous Contractor Surety Bond, or set up an assignment of savings.
- Get liability insurance meeting the $200,000/$50,000 (or $250,000 combined) minimum.
- Submit the notarized Application for Contractor Registration to L&I along with the $150.20 fee.
- Wait for processing (L&I notes 3-4 weeks for mailed applications) and receive your registration number.
- Renew every 2 years and keep your bond and insurance active — L&I sends a courtesy notice, but renewing on time is your responsibility.
Working without a license in Washington
Working unregistered is a civil infraction with a fine of $1,200 to $10,000 (reducible to as low as $600 if you register within 10 days of a first notice of infraction); continuing to work after being cited is a gross misdemeanor for each day worked (RCW 18.27.020, RCW 18.27.200).
Last verified: 2026-07-19
Roofing license rules change and often vary by city and county. This page is a plain-English starting point, not legal advice — always confirm the current requirements with the state board linked below before you rely on them.
Verify at the source: lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/contractors/register-as-a-contractor
More official sources: L&I: Higher contractor bonds will help consumers stuck with shoddy construction
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