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Washington D.C. Guide

How to check a contractor's license in Washington D.C..

Verify contractor licenses through the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP).

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Washington D.C. Contractor License Types

License Type Application Fee Annual Renewal Bond
General Contractor / Construction Manager (Basic Business License)
Required to perform commercial or residential construction, construction management, alteration, repair, improvement, or demolition in the District. Issued by DLCP's Business Licensing Division under D.C. Code §§ 47-2853.78 (definitions), 47-2853.78a (scope, license necessity, and the 4,000 hours OR 2 years experience rule), and 47-2853.78b (exemptions), as enacted by the General Contractor Licensing Amendment Act of 2024 (D.C. Law 25-244). Law 25-244 repealed the prior § 47-2851.03d (applicability October 1, 2025) and created a new Board of Construction Managers and General Contractors with separate commercial and residential contractor categories.
$49 (6-month), $99 (2-year), or $198 (4-year) license fee Renewed every 2 or 4 years; same fee tiers apply at renewal No BBL-level bond for general contractors; trade-specific bonds may apply for specialty work
Home Improvement Contractor
Required for anyone who contracts to alter, repair, improve, or add to a residential structure in DC where the contract price exceeds $300. Regulated under DCMR Title 16, Chapter 8. HIC licensees must post a $25,000 surety bond, submit a police criminal history report, designate at least one licensed Home Improvement Salesperson, and may not accept payment in advance of full completion of the work unless licensed.
$99 (2-year) or $198 (4-year) license fee Renewed every 2 or 4 years at the same tier $25,000 surety bond (required for HIC endorsement)
Home Improvement Salesperson
Required for any person who solicits, sells, or negotiates home improvement contracts on behalf of a licensed Home Improvement Contractor. A salesperson may only be designated to a single HIC at a time. Regulated under DCMR Title 16, Chapter 8.
DC license fee schedule (issued through DLCP's BBL process) Renewed with the underlying BBL term Covered by the employing HIC's $25,000 bond
Master Electrician (and Electrical Contractor)
Issued by the DC Board of Industrial Trades (board composition under D.C. Code § 47-2853.06(d); electrical scope under D.C. Code §§ 47-2853.91–.93). A Master Electrician license requires 8 years / 16,000 hours of electrical work experience, a National Electrical Code course certificate taken within 2 years of application, and passage of an open-book exam based on the National Electrical Code. Electrical Contractor licensure requires a designated master and trade-contractor bonds.
$65 application + $120 initial license (up to 2 years) $155 (Master) / $180 (Contractor) every 2 years; all DC electrician licenses expire November 30 of odd-numbered years Regular-voltage electrical contractor: $4,000 company bond + $2,000 master bond. Low-voltage: $2,000 company + $1,000 master.
Journeyman Electrician
Requires 4 years / 8,000 hours of electrical work experience and passage of the DC journeyman exam, or waiver with proof of completion of a nationally-certified apprenticeship program. Allows licensed work under the supervision of a Master Electrician.
$65 application + $110 initial license (up to 2 years) $110 every 2 years; expires November 30 of odd-numbered years None at the journeyman level
Master Plumber / Gasfitter (and Plumbing-Gasfitting Contractor)
Issued by the Board of Industrial Trades under D.C. Code §§ 47-2853.121–.123 (plumbing/gasfitting scope; board composition at § 47-2853.06(d)). Requires 8 years / 16,000 hours of plumbing or gasfitting experience and passage of an open-book exam based on the International Plumbing Code and International Fuel Gas Code (currently adopted 2012 editions per DLCP Plumbing/Gasfitting bulletin). Licenses may be issued for plumbing only, gasfitting only, or both. Contractor licensure requires a designated master plus company and master bonds.
$65 application + $120 initial license (up to 2 years) $155 (Master) / $180 (Contractor) every 2 years; plumbing/gasfitting licenses expire March 31 of even-numbered years $5,000 company bond + $5,000 master bond for plumbing/gasfitting contractors
Journeyman Plumber / Gasfitter
Requires 4 years / 8,000 hours of plumbing or gasfitting experience and passage of the DC journeyman exam, or waiver with proof of completion of a nationally-certified apprenticeship program. Permits work under supervision of a Master.
$65 application + $110 initial license (up to 2 years) $110 every 2 years; expires March 31 of even-numbered years None at the journeyman level
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic / Contractor
Issued by the Board of Industrial Trades for the installation, service, alteration, and repair of refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Requires a Certificate of Completion and employment verification; Master-level applicants must also provide CFC certification. Contractor licensees operate refrigeration/AC businesses under a designated master.
$65 application + $110 initial license (Mechanic) / $120 initial license (Contractor) $155 (Mechanic) / $180 (Contractor) every 2 years; expires September 30 of even-numbered years $5,000 company bond + $5,000 master bond for refrigeration/AC contractors
Steam Engineer / Operating Engineer
Issued by the Board of Industrial Trades in classes from 5A (steam boilers up to 25 horsepower at pressures up to 125 psi) through Class 1 (any plant, no size limit). Experience requirements escalate from 6 months for Class 5A up to multi-year experience at progressively higher-pressure plants for Class 1. Graduates of approved mechanical engineering programs or engineer apprentice programs may qualify for experience waivers.
$65 application + $110 initial license (up to 2 years) $110 every 2 years + $50 late fee if applicable; expires September 30 of even-numbered years None at the individual-engineer level

Processing time: 4 to 10 weeks for most DC license endorsements once a complete application is submitted; HIC applications are typically longer due to criminal history check and bond filing. Trade exams (electrical, plumbing, refrigeration) add scheduling time on top of experience-verification review. from application submission to license issuance.

Washington, D.C. regulates contractors through two separate tracks administered by the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP, formerly DCRA). General contractors, construction managers, and home improvement contractors are licensed by DLCP's Business Licensing Division as Basic Business License (BBL) endorsements under D.C. Code §§ 47-2853.78 / .78a / .78b (as enacted by the General Contractor Licensing Amendment Act of 2024, D.C. Law 25-244, which repealed the prior § 47-2851.03d effective October 1, 2025). Specialized trades — electrical, plumbing, gasfitting, refrigeration and air conditioning, steam and operating engineers — are licensed separately by the DC Board of Industrial Trades (composition set by D.C. Code § 47-2853.06(d); electrical scope at §§ 47-2853.91–.93; plumbing/gasfitting scope at §§ 47-2853.121–.123) within DLCP's Occupational and Professional Licensing Administration (OPLA). D.C. Law 25-244 created a new Board of Construction Managers and General Contractors and tightened eligibility for residential and commercial contractor licenses. Home Improvement Contractors must post a $25,000 surety bond (DCMR 16-800 et seq.; statutory authority at D.C. Code § 47-2883.02(b)) and pass a criminal history check, and no advance payment may be collected for home improvement work unless the contractor (or their designated salesperson) holds a current DC HIC license.

Step 1: Ask for the Contractor's DC License Number

DC requires licensed contractors to display license information on contracts, proposals, and advertising. Ask for both the Basic Business License (BBL) number and, for trades work, the individual trade license number (electrical, plumbing, HVAC). A DC contractor who cannot produce license numbers on request is a red flag.

Step 2: Verify the Basic Business License on DLCP's Portal

DLCP runs the authoritative DC business license search. You can look up a General Contractor, Construction Manager, or Home Improvement Contractor by business name, license number, or address. The record shows license status, endorsements, expiration, and whether the license is active, expired, or revoked.

DLCP Business Licensing Division Overview →

Step 3: Verify Trade Licenses with the Board of Industrial Trades

Electrical, plumbing/gasfitting, refrigeration/AC, and steam engineer licenses are separate from the BBL and searched through the DLCP Occupational and Professional Licensing portal. You can search by license number, licensee name, or status (Active, Inactive, Expired, Renew Eligible).

OPLA License Search →

Step 4: Confirm the Home Improvement Bond and Salesperson

Every Home Improvement Contractor must have a $25,000 surety bond on file with DLCP and must designate at least one licensed Home Improvement Salesperson. Confirm both. Also confirm no advance payments — DC law prohibits a home improvement contractor from accepting payment before the work is fully completed unless the contractor (or a designated salesperson) is currently HIC-licensed.

Step 5: Check Complaint History with DLCP

DLCP's Consumer Protection Unit investigates unfair and deceptive trade practices, including unlicensed contracting and home improvement fraud. DLCP accepts complaints where losses are $250 or more, or where a pattern of abuse exists, and complaints must be filed within 3 years of the incident. Contact DLCP at (202) 671-4500 or dlcp@dc.gov to ask about pending investigations.

Washington D.C. Contractor Insurance Requirements

Insurance Type Requirement
General Liability A Certificate of Liability Insurance is required to obtain a General Contractor, Construction Manager, or Home Improvement Contractor Basic Business License in DC. The Board of Construction Managers and General Contractors (established by D.C. Law 25-244) has authority to set specific minimum amounts.
Workers' Compensation Required under DC law for any DC employer with one or more employees (DC Code Title 32). Sole proprietors without employees are not required to carry coverage.

Washington D.C. Contractor Bond Requirements

Home Improvement Contractors must post a $25,000 surety bond as a condition of licensure under DCMR Title 16, Chapter 8, with statutory authority for the bond cap at D.C. Code § 47-2883.02(b). Trade contractors (electrical, plumbing/gasfitting, refrigeration/AC) must post separate company and master bonds ($2,000–$5,000 each) issued through the Board of Industrial Trades. General contractors and construction managers do not have a BBL-level bond requirement at issuance, but D.C. Law 25-244 (2024) authorized the new Board of Construction Managers and General Contractors to establish insurance requirements and a Residential and Commercial Contractor Guaranty and Education Fund funded by mandatory contributions at renewal.

Washington D.C. Consumer Protections for Home Improvement

Washington D.C. law provides several important protections for homeowners hiring contractors:

What Happens if You Hire an Unlicensed Contractor?

Hiring an unlicensed contractor in Washington D.C. puts you at risk:

How to Report an Unlicensed Contractor in Washington D.C.

Report unlicensed contracting and home improvement fraud to DLCP. Unlicensed activity is a civil infraction and DLCP investigators have authority to cite, fine, and refer repeat or egregious cases for prosecution under the DC Consumer Protection Procedures Act.

How to File a Complaint Against a Registered Contractor in Washington D.C.

DLCP's Consumer Protection Unit investigates complaints against licensed and unlicensed DC contractors, including home improvement fraud, unfair trade practices, and unlicensed contracting. DLCP accepts complaints where losses total $250 or more, or where a pattern or practice of abuse exists. Complaints must be filed within 3 years of the incident.

You can file a complaint by:

For home improvement disputes, consumers can also file a claim against the contractor's $25,000 HIC surety bond. DLCP's investigators can issue citations and civil fines; unlicensed contractor activity can be referred for prosecution under the DC Consumer Protection Procedures Act.

Washington D.C. Contractor Bond Schedule

DC uses several bond types depending on the license category. The $25,000 HIC bond is the most consumer-facing; the trade contractor bonds through the Board of Industrial Trades protect against defective specialty work.

License Type Bond Amount Notes
Home Improvement Contractor Surety Bond $25,000 Required for every HIC licensee under DCMR Title 16, Chapter 8, with statutory authority at D.C. Code § 47-2883.02(b). Protects homeowners from non-performance, defective work, and fraud.
Electrical Contractor Bonds (Regular Voltage) $4,000 company bond + $2,000 master bond Required for DC Electrical Contractor licensure. Bond expiration coincides with license expiration on November 30 of odd-numbered years.
Electrical Contractor Bonds (Low Voltage) $2,000 company bond + $1,000 master bond Separate low-voltage classification. Bonds align with license expiration on November 30 of odd-numbered years.
Plumbing / Gasfitting Contractor Bonds $5,000 company bond + $5,000 master bond Required for DC Plumbing/Gasfitting Contractor licensure. Bonds expire March 31 of even-numbered years.
Refrigeration / AC Contractor Bonds $5,000 company bond + $5,000 master bond Required for DC Refrigeration/AC Contractor licensure. Bonds expire September 30 of even-numbered years.

What Makes Washington D.C. Contractor Licensing Unique

Two Tracks: BBL vs. Board of Industrial Trades

DC is unusual in that general contractors, construction managers, and home improvement contractors are licensed through DLCP's Business Licensing Division (BBL), while electrical, plumbing/gasfitting, refrigeration/AC, and steam engineer licensees are licensed separately through the DC Board of Industrial Trades. A single contracting business often needs both.

2024 Overhaul: New Board of Construction Managers and General Contractors

The General Contractor Licensing Amendment Act of 2024 (D.C. Law 25-244) created a new Board of Construction Managers and General Contractors and split general contractor licensure into commercial and residential categories. Applicants must now document 4,000 hours or 2 years of experience, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, satisfy Board-set insurance requirements, and contribute to a new Residential and Commercial Contractor Guaranty and Education Fund at renewal.

$25,000 Bond for Home Improvement Contractors

DC imposes a $25,000 surety bond on every Home Improvement Contractor — one of the highest HIC bond requirements in the country. The bond is designed to compensate homeowners for contractor non-performance or fraud. HIC applicants must also pass a criminal history check and designate a licensed Home Improvement Salesperson.

No Advance Payment for Home Improvement Work

Under DCMR Title 16, Chapter 8, no unlicensed person may accept any payment for home improvement work in advance of full completion. Even licensed HICs face strict contract-formation rules and cannot include clauses waiving the consumer protections of Title 16, Chapter 8.

Adjacent-Property Insurance for Permits (2024)

D.C. Law 25-243 (Protecting Adjacent and Adjoining Property Owners From Construction Damage Amendment Act of 2024) requires permit applicants for razing, demolition, excavation, foundation, new construction, sheeting/shoring, and underpinning-related work to provide proof that their permit insurance covers damage to any property within 30 feet of the site.

Washington D.C. Contractor License Fees

Frequently Asked Questions: Washington D.C. Contractor Licensing

How do I check if a contractor is licensed in Washington DC?

For general contractors, construction managers, and home improvement contractors, use DLCP's Business License search at dlcp.dc.gov. For electricians, plumbers, gasfitters, refrigeration/AC mechanics, and steam engineers, use the Occupational and Professional Licensing search at govservices.dcra.dc.gov/oplaportal. You can also call DLCP at (202) 671-4500 or email dlcp@dc.gov.

Does my DC contractor need a general contractor license?

Yes. Any person or business performing construction, construction management, alteration, repair, improvement, or demolition in DC must hold an applicable Basic Business License (BBL) with a General Contractor, Construction Manager, or — for residential improvement work — Home Improvement Contractor endorsement. The 2024 General Contractor Licensing Amendment Act (D.C. Law 25-244) tightened experience and education requirements for commercial and residential contractors.

What is a DC Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) license?

An HIC license, regulated under DCMR Title 16, Chapter 8, is required for anyone who contracts to alter, repair, improve, or add to a residential structure in DC. HIC applicants must post a $25,000 surety bond, submit a police criminal history report, maintain general liability insurance, and designate at least one licensed Home Improvement Salesperson. HIC licensees cannot accept advance payment for the work.

How much does a DC contractor license cost?

A General Contractor or Construction Manager BBL costs $49 for a 6-month license, $99 for a 2-year license, or $198 for a 4-year license. Home Improvement Contractors pay $99 (2-year) or $198 (4-year). Trade licenses from the Board of Industrial Trades are $65 application + $110–$120 initial license, with renewals of $110–$180 every 2 years depending on classification. Additional costs include the $25,000 HIC surety bond premium and trade-contractor bonds ranging $1,000–$5,000.

Does a DC contractor need a surety bond?

Home Improvement Contractors must post a $25,000 surety bond. Trade contractors (electrical, plumbing/gasfitting, refrigeration/AC) must post company and master bonds of $1,000–$5,000 each, depending on trade. General contractors and construction managers are not required to post a BBL-level bond at issuance, though D.C. Law 25-244 (2024) authorized the new Board of Construction Managers and General Contractors to impose additional financial-responsibility requirements.

What happens if I hire an unlicensed contractor in DC?

Unlicensed contracting exposes homeowners to significant risk: the contract may be voidable, you lose DLCP complaint and bond recourse, and the contractor faces Class 1 civil infraction fines of up to $8,000 per offense (rising to $16,000 for repeat offenders) under the DC Civil Infractions Schedule of Fines (16 DCMR 3200). DLCP actively investigates unlicensed activity, and engaging in home improvement contracting without an HIC endorsement is a specifically designated civil infraction.

How do I file a complaint against a DC contractor?

File with DLCP's Consumer Protection Unit at dlcp.dc.gov/service/consumer-protection-assistance, by phone at (202) 671-4500, by email at dlcp@dc.gov, or in person at 1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20024. DLCP accepts complaints where losses total $250 or more, or where a pattern or practice of abuse exists, and complaints must be filed within 3 years of the incident. For HIC disputes, you may also pursue a claim against the contractor's $25,000 bond.

Do DC electricians need a separate license from a general contractor?

Yes. Electrical work in DC is regulated by the Board of Industrial Trades (D.C. Code § 47-2853.06(d)) under the electrical licensing provisions at D.C. Code §§ 47-2853.91–.93, separately from any Business License. DC issues Apprentice, Journeyman, Master, and Contractor electrical licenses, and — per the DLCP Electrician bulletin — distinguishes regular voltage from low voltage (defined as 49 volts and below). A general contractor must either hold an Electrical Contractor license or subcontract to a licensed DC electrical contractor.

What 2024 laws changed DC contractor licensing?

Three key laws: (1) D.C. Law 25-244, the General Contractor Licensing Amendment Act of 2024, created a new Board of Construction Managers and General Contractors, split GC licensure into commercial and residential categories, tightened experience/education requirements, and established a Residential and Commercial Contractor Guaranty and Education Fund. (2) D.C. Law 25-243 requires permit applicants for major construction work to carry insurance covering adjacent properties within 30 feet. (3) D.C. Law 25-239 (Protecting Historic Homes Amendment Act of 2024) raised civil fines for historic-district violations up to $25,000 per violation for substantial demolition, alteration, or new construction violations.

What's the difference between mblr.dc.gov and dlcp.dc.gov?

dlcp.dc.gov is the current, authoritative site for all DC licensing (business and trades). The legacy mblr.dc.gov domain (Mayor's Business License Resource) predates the creation of DLCP (formerly DCRA); business license verification is now handled through DLCP's Business License search, and occupational/trade verification through govservices.dcra.dc.gov/oplaportal. Always start at dlcp.dc.gov for current verification.

Sources

Facts on this page were verified against the following primary sources on April 20, 2026. Licensing laws, fees, and bond amounts change — always confirm with the official board before acting.

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