- Jobs where the total price for labor and materials is under $500 are exempt as casual or minor work. The exemption does not apply if the job is part of a larger project, if it is split up to stay under $500, or if you advertise.
- L&I's registration steps do not list an experience requirement.
- Plan for a trade exam.
- A continuous contractor surety bond of $15,000 for specialty contractors ($30,000 for general contractors), or an assignment of savings.
- Registration is valid for two years and must be renewed on or before it expires. The renewal fee is $150.20.
Do you need a state license in Washington?
Washington licenses some roofing work at the state level and leaves the rest alone. Which side of that line a job falls on decides whether you need the state license.
Jobs where the total price for labor and materials is under $500 are exempt as casual or minor work. The exemption does not apply if the job is part of a larger project, if it is split up to stay under $500, or if you advertise.
Washington license types for roofing work
Washington splits the work into 2 licenses. Pick the one that matches the jobs you take, since working outside its scope is the same as working without one.
| License | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Specialty contractor | Can only do work in the specialty it is registered in, such as roofing, and cannot hire subcontractors |
| General contractor | Can do most types of construction work and hire subcontractors in multiple specialties |
Steps to get licensed in Washington
- Choose your business structure and register the business with the Department of Revenue to get a UBI number.
- Buy a $15,000 specialty contractor surety bond, or set up an assignment of savings.
- Buy general liability insurance with L&I listed as certificate holder.
- Complete the notarized Application for Contractor Registration (F625-001-000) and pay $150.20.
- Put your registration number on every ad, bid and estimate.
- Renew every two years.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. L&I's registration steps do not list an experience requirement.
The license to apply for. Specialty contractor registration (roofing).
Washington roofing exams
Trade exam. L&I's registration steps do not list an exam.
Business and law exam. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
What it costs in Washington
The board lists 3 fees along the way. These are the state's own numbers. Insurance, any bond, exam prep and your business registration come on top.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Registration application | $150.20 |
| Renewal | $150.20 |
| Reinstatement after a suspension | $70.90 |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. General liability of $200,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit. L&I must be listed as certificate holder.
Bond. A continuous contractor surety bond of $15,000 for specialty contractors ($30,000 for general contractors), or an assignment of savings.
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. Registration is valid for two years and must be renewed on or before it expires. The renewal fee is $150.20.
Reciprocity. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Good to know in Washington
- Your contractor registration number must appear on all ads, business cards, bids and estimates.
- For residential jobs of $1,000 or more, you must give the customer L&I's Model Disclosure Statement.
- Register your business with the Department of Revenue first, and use the exact business name on your bond and insurance.
After you are licensed
The license lets you take the work. Getting the work is the next job.
- Register the business. If you work under a name other than your own, register it where your state asks (often the Secretary of State, sometimes the county), and keep the name the same on your license, your truck and your invoices.
- Claim your Google Business Profile. It is the listing people see when they search for a roofer near them. Fill in your service area, hours and real photos of your work.
- Put up a website that shows the license. Customers look for it before they call. Koira builds a contractor website for you and keeps it current.
- See where you stand. The free Koira report checks how your business shows up in search and on maps against shops near you.
Where this comes from
Every fact on this page comes from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), Contractor Registration and the official pages below, checked October 8, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.
More for your trade: how roofing companies run on Koira.