Washington Handyman License: How to Get Certified as a Handyman in WA

Does a handyman need a license in Washington State?

Yes, you need a handyman license in Washington if your project value exceeds $2,000. In this case, you must have a contractor license in the category of work you’re doing.

The difference between a handyman and a contractor can be unclear. As a handyman, you can complete small residential projects, like home repairs and maintenance. To take on bigger jobs or specific types of regulated work, you need to be licensed as a specialty contractor.  

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries regulates professional licenses, including specialty contractor licenses. There are additional requirements for education, examination, and licensing for contractors working with plumbing, electrical, elevators, mobile home installation, boilers, and asbestos.

Types of handyman licenses in Washington

If your handyman work surpasses $2,000 in value, you will need a specialty contractor license. These licenses let you perform specific types of specialized work you may perform on projects as a handyman.

It is important to note that some licenses require additional specialties, such as electrical or plumbing, to perform more complex tasks related to the license.

Below are the types of specialty contracting work you will need a license for:

Washington handyman license requirements

To work on projects valued over $2,000, here are the contractor licensing requirements you must meet: 

• Be 18 years of age or older. 
• Have a business license for your registered business. Businesses are registered with the Washington Secretary of State.
• Secure a Washington contractor license bond or set up a savings account with $30,000 for general contractors and $15,000 for specialty contractors 
• Have valid liability insurance of $250,000 ($50,000 property damage + $200,000 bodily injury)

Complete and submit the specialty contractor application form and pay the application fee of $132.60.

How to get a handyman license in Washington State

Take the following steps to get your contractor’s license from the Washington Department of Labor and Industries: 

• Create either a sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership, corporation, or other permitted entity that you can attach your license to. 
• Complete and submit the contractor license application indicating that you need a specialty license. 

All contractor application forms must be sent to the following address: 

Department of Labor & Industries
Contractor Registration Section
PO Box 44450
Olympia WA 98504-4450

Washington state contractors license exam

Currently, Washington state has no education and examination requirements for contractors. Although you are not required to take contractor courses, it’s a good idea to enroll in a training program to develop your skills.

Here are training programs for general and specialty contractors:

• Free Washington State Training Days
• CITC Construction Training
• Workforce Development – Master Builders Association

Does my Washington State handyman license work in other states?

Reciprocity allows license holders who are not residents of Washington to apply for a specialty contractor license without additional testing where comparable categories exist.

The state of Washington does not reciprocate with any other state for specialty contractor licenses at this time.

Washington handyman license cost

There is no handyman license in Washington, but if you need a specialty contractor license, there are some fees you’ll need to pay.

How often do I need to renew my license?

Contractor licenses are valid for two years in Washington. You can renew your license in person, online, or by mail with your renewal card, which is your current license. 

Here are the three different options for renewing your contractor license in Washington:

• In-person renewal – Bring your renewal card to your nearest local Department of Labor and Industries office. You’ll need your renewal card and a Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express credit or debit card to pay the required fee. 
• Online license renewal – You can renew your contractor’s license here. Submit your 12-digit Contractor Registration number and your UBI number, then pay the required fee via Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express credit or debit card. 
• Mailed license renewal – You can renew your license by mail at the address below. Mail your renewal card and a check or money order in the amount of the required fee.

Department of Labor & Industries
Contractor Registration Section
PO Box 44450
Olympia WA 98504-4450

Requirements for business owners

It’s time to decide if you’re ready to take the next step to secure your financial future—opening your own business. 

Here’s everything you need to do to legally start, own, and operate a business in Washington state.

For an in-depth guide to starting your own handyman business—including getting your financing, buying equipment, and hiring staff—check out our comprehensive guide. Here’s a summary of what’s involved:

• Write a handyman business plan.
• Research local handyman license requirements.
• Get startup funding for your handyman business.
• Decide which handyman services to offer.
• Define your business’s ideal customers.
• Set prices for your handyman services.
• Register your handyman business.
• Get small business insurance.
• Start marketing your handyman services.
• Plan to offer amazing customer service.
• Hire other handymen as employees.

Do handyman contractor licenses in Washington increase your earning potential? 

As a handyman in Washington, your earning potential increases as you gain more experience and get a contractor license to take on bigger jobs. And starting your own business can help you earn even more. 

When starting out as a handyman, you’ll earn approximately $42,657 per year. This can grow to $50,487 within the first 5-7 years as you gain experience.