Washington Contractor License Bonds

How much does a Washington contractor license bond cost?

Washington contractor license bond costs start at $100 annually. Your exact premium will depend on your contractor license classification and its bond amount. A few license types require a quick application review to determine pricing. Most contractor bonds required for local city compliance cost $100 annually for all applicants. 

How do you get a contractor bond in Washington state? 

You can purchase most Washington state contractor bonds online 24/7. If your license classification requires a review to determine pricing, you can apply online 24/7. Simply select which bond you need from the dropdown above or the table below. 

You'll need to provide information required by your licensing authority for filing approval, which typically includes your contractor or construction company name, physical business address, and license type. Once your order is processed, your bonding confirmation will be sent to your email. 

How fast can I get a contractor surety bond? 

Our industry-leading technology and responsive customer service team allow us to offer free quotes and deliver official Washington contractor license bonds faster than any other surety provider. SuretyBonds.com offers emailed document delivery for most Washington contractor registration bonds. Orders placed by 4 PM CST Monday-Friday are typically processed with same-day emailed delivery. If your licensing authority requires your official bond be physically issued and delivered to you, we'll ship it to your preferred mailing address.

What is a Washington contractor license bond? 

“Washington contractor license bond” is a general term for the various contractor surety bond types required for licensing at the state, county, or city level. Washington state contractors license surety bonds are used to reinforce contractors license compliance. If an individual is harmed due to contractor noncompliance, the issuing surety company will pay valid claims up to the full bond amount, which the bonded and licensed contractor must then reimburse.

Who are the parties involved in a Washington contractors license bond? 

The state or city licensing agency requiring the bond is its "obligee." The contractor that purchases and files the bond is its “principal.” The surety company that issues the bond and backs the contractor's obligation to comply with licensing laws is the “surety.”

Who regulates licensing for contractors? 

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries enforces contractors license regulations at the state level, including bond amount requirements. You can contact DLI staff to request contractor information by calling 1(800)647-0982 or emailing [email protected]. 

A few cities and counties in Washington state also enforce their own bonding requirements for construction contractor registration, so you'll need to contact them directly with any questions about their application requirements. 

Who needs a Washington contractor license bond? 

You must file a surety bond to be licensed as a contractor with the state if you work in the following trades.

• Electrical/Telecommunications Contractor 
• Farm Labor Contractor
• General Contractor
• Plumbing Contractor
• Specialty Contractor
• Sprinkler System Contractor

Note that general contractors can perform most construction work statewide whereas specialty contractors can only work in their specific license specialty. If you're a contractor in one of the cities or counties listed below, you must file a bond with them directly before getting a local contractors license. If you need a surety bond for a city or county not listed below, call 1(800)308-4358.

• Clark County
• Lakehaven
• Normandy
• Redmond
• Seattle

Need a surety bond for a construction project in Washington state?

Washington contractor bonds are required for licensing compliance. If you need a surety bond before you can begin work on an individual contracted project, you might need a bid bond, payment bond, performance bond, or other type of contract bond. If you work in states other than Washington, we also offer contractor license bonds nationwide.

How do I update or change my contractors bond form? 

If your licensing authority requires your surety bond documentation to be updated for any reason, contact your bonding company. If you purchased your bond from SuretyBonds.com, email [email protected] to explain the needed change. The most common changes requested for these bonds include updating the contractor or construction company's name, address, or license type to match your state, city, or county business license. 

How do you renew your Washington contractor license bond? 

You must renew your Washington contractors license bond before its current term expires. Once you pay your SuretyBonds.com renewal invoice, we'll email you renewal instructions to keep your bonded contractor status active as required for your registration.

What do you need to register for a Washington contractors license? 

You'll need to complete the following steps to apply as a licensed contractor with the state of Washington. 

1. Register your business with the Department of Revenue. 
2. Purchase a Washington surety bond for the correct required bond amount. 
3. Purchase a general liability insurance policy. 
4. Complete your application for construction contractor registration. 
5. Pay the required fees. 

Mail all documents to the following address. 

Contractor Registration
P.O. Box 44450
Olympia, WA 98504-4450

Some cities and counties enforce their own licensing and bonding requirements for contractors as well, so check with your local municipality for further requirements.  

What can contractors do to avoid claims against the Washington contractor license bond?

To avoid having a claim filed against your Washington surety bond, complete all construction work and operate your business according to all applicable state or local laws. If a valid claim is filed against your bond, you'll be required to reimburse your issuing surety company for any damages paid.