Guide to Washington D.C. Contractor Licenses

Washington D.C. is a unique place when it comes to construction. First, many contracting businesses working within D.C. are actually from the neighboring states, not D.C. itself. Second, the rules and regulations that exist are very different from those states, so it can seem like an intimidating territory for expansion. For example, getting a D.C. contractor license or D.C. home improvement license each has unique requirements.

But if you’re starting a business or trying to expand into D.C., this guide will help you understand the requirements, identify which ones apply to you, and how to go about getting a D.C. contractor license.

Working in other states outside D.C.? Check out the Guide to Contractor Licensing in Every State.

Who needs a contractor license in D.C.?

If you’re wondering if you need a contractor license to work in DC, the answer is: Almost certainly. Washington D.C. requires all contractors that work in the district to carry a license. This includes general contractors, home improvement contractors, and specialty contractors.

D.C. contractor license requirements state that “any person who, for a fee, is contracted to do construction on real property owned, controlled, or leased by another person of commercial, industrial, institutional, governmental, residential, or accessory use building or structures” needs a license.

Also, general contracting includes heavy construction, land development, and the construction of new buildings. Contractors falling under this category require a Basic Business License for General Contractor/Construction Manager License. 

And, unlike most U.S. states, this designation includes repair, remodeling, improvements, or demolition of buildings or structures. 

There is also a license specifically for those working solely on residential properties, known as Home Improvement Contractors. It requires a different license known as a Basic Business License for Home Improvement Salesperson.

To be clear, both of these license types include contractors and trades like:

• Roofing
• Rough carpentry
• Flooring
• Sheetrock
• Finish carpentry
• Electrical (requires an additional license)
• Plumbing (requires an additional license)
• HVAC (requires an additional license)
• And basically every other trade involved in the construction industry

How to get a D.C. contractor license

Let’s take a look at these licenses on a case-by-case basis to determine which one (or ones) you might need and how to get one issued to your business.

As of 2022, contractor licensing in Washington, D.C. is managed by the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection.

Note: Not only do contractors in D.C. need contractor licenses, but they also need to register their businesses with the Office of Tax and Revenue.

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General contractors/construction manager licenses in D.C.

The requirements for the license for general contractors/construction managers are:

• Get a Certificate of Occupancy or Home Occupancy Permit
• Fill out the application using AccessDC
• Provide three copies of two or more sample contracts and receipts
• Provide tax registration information
• Provide a certificate of liability insurance
• Pay a $654.50 fee

Home improvement license for D.C. contractors

The requirements for the Home Improvement License are:

• Apply using the application on AccessDC
• Pay a $288.20 fee
• Provide the following documents:

  • Certificate of Liability Insurance
  • Certificate of Occupancy
  • Home Improvement Contract
  • Home Improvement Salesperson Designation Letter
  • Police Criminal History Report
  • Surety Bond ($25,000)
  • Tax Registration

D.C. specialty contractor licenses

Specialty contractor licenses are managed by the Board of Industrial Trades as part of the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection. Trades that must apply for licensing include:

• Asbestos Workers
• Electricians
• Elevator Mechanics and Inspectors
• Operating Engineers
• Plumbing/Gasfitting
• Refrigeration
• Steam Engineers

In some cases, electrical contractors working in Maryland and Virginia are able to have reciprocity with their licenses. In most other cases, contractors will need to follow the application process specific to Washington, D.C.

Follow these steps:

• Use the application on AccessDC
• Include a 2" x 2" passport photo, a government ID, and payment information for the fee.

  • Fees vary from $65 to $180 depending on the type of license. View the fee schedule for more details.
• Take an examination to prove competency. Note: Electricians, Steam and Operating Engineers, Plumbers and Gasfitters, and HVAC contractors can test first, then apply afterward. All other trades must apply first before taking the examination.

Penalties for unlicensed contractors in D.C.

There are a lot of hoops to jump through in order to obtain a D.C. contractor license, and it might seem like an unnecessary step — but the District of Columbia takes its contractor licensing requirements very seriously.

A Class 1 infraction carries a minimum penalty of $2,000 for the first offense. If a licensed contractor hires an unlicensed subcontractor, both the licensed contractor and sub are guilty of this Class 1 Infraction, and both will receive the fines.

Also, don’t minimize the importance of lien rights. Remember, unlicensed contractors working in D.C have no right to a mechanics lien.

This means that even if they deliver a project perfectly to contract, the project owner could choose not to pay them without worrying about the recourse of a lien.

Additionally, Lien claimants with business structures organized under D.C laws or working in D.C must provide a copy of their current license to file a lien. Also, they must provide a certificate of good standing from the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs issued within 180 days prior to the filing date. Those are the laws under the statutes regulating lien rights, but the Recorder's Office has been known to impose additional licensing “rules” that might not be so clearly written in the statutes. So, if you want to file a mechanics lien in D.C, licensing is absolutely required — otherwise, you may be left with little to no recourse to recover payment.

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