How to Check a Contractor's License in Washington: L&I Verification Walkthrough
How to Check a Contractor's License in Washington: L&I Verification Walkthrough
Before you hire any contractor in Washington State, verify their license. It takes two minutes and could save you thousands of dollars in problems.
Washington's Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) maintains a public database of all registered contractors. This guide walks you through exactly how to use it, what to look for, and how to interpret what you find.
Why License Verification Matters
In Washington, anyone performing construction work over $2,000 (labor and materials combined) must be registered with L&I as a contractor. This registration requires:
- Surety bond: Financial protection if the contractor fails to complete work or pay subcontractors
- Liability insurance: Protection against property damage during the project
- Workers' compensation: Coverage for workers injured on your property
If you hire an unlicensed contractor:
- You have limited legal recourse if work is defective
- You may be liable for worker injuries on your property
- Your homeowner's insurance may deny claims
- Unpermitted work can complicate future home sales
Checking a license takes two minutes. Not checking can cost you everything.
Step-by-Step License Verification
Step 1: Go to the L&I Contractor Verification Website
Navigate to: verify.lni.wa.gov
This is Washington State's official contractor verification portal, maintained by the Department of Labor & Industries.
Step 2: Enter Search Information
You can search by:
- Business name (most common)
- UBI number (Unified Business Identifier)
- Contractor license number
- Owner/principal name
Tip: If searching by business name, try variations. "ABC Construction LLC" might be registered as "ABC Construction" or "ABC Const LLC."
Step 3: Review the Search Results
Click on the contractor's name to see their full record.
What to Look For
License Status
This is the most critical field. Status options:
| Status | Meaning | Hire? |
|---|---|---|
| Active | License is current and valid | ✅ Yes |
| Suspended | License suspended for violations or non-compliance | ❌ No |
| Cancelled | Contractor voluntarily cancelled their license | ❌ No |
| Expired | License not renewed | ❌ No |
| Inactive | Not currently operating | ❌ No |
Only hire contractors with "Active" status.
Bond Information
Washington requires contractors to maintain a surety bond. The bond protects you if:
- The contractor fails to complete the work
- The contractor doesn't pay subcontractors or suppliers (who could then lien your property)
Bond amount requirements (2024):
| Contractor Type | Minimum Bond |
|---|---|
| General contractor | $12,000 |
| Specialty contractor | $12,000 |
| Large contractors (varied) | Up to $72,000 |
| Contractors with L&I violations | May be required to post higher bonds |
What to check:
- Bond status: Should be "Active" or "Current"
- Bond amount: Should meet minimums for your project type
- Bond expiration: Should be future-dated
Insurance Status
Contractors must maintain liability insurance. L&I shows whether they're compliant.
Look for:
- Insurance status: Active/Compliant
- Coverage level: Varies, but should be adequate for your project
Note: L&I shows compliance, not coverage details. For large projects, ask the contractor for a Certificate of Insurance showing coverage amounts.
Workers' Compensation
L&I tracks workers' comp status. This matters because:
- If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor lacks coverage, you could be liable
- Legitimate contractors carry this coverage
Look for:
- Workers' comp account status
- Any violations or penalties
Specialty Type
Contractors can register as:
- General: Can perform general construction work
- Specialty: Limited to specific trade (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, etc.)
Verify the contractor's specialty matches your project. A roofing specialty contractor shouldn't be doing electrical work.
Complaints and Violations
Scroll down to find any complaint or violation history.
What you'll see:
- Complaint date
- Nature of complaint
- Resolution status
- Any penalties assessed
How to interpret:
- Zero complaints in long business history = Good sign
- One complaint resolved favorably = Probably okay (disputes happen)
- Multiple complaints = Investigate further or avoid
- Pattern of similar complaints = Major red flag
- Unresolved complaints = Avoid
Sample Verification: What Good Looks Like
Here's what a clean contractor record looks like:
Business Name: Example Builders LLC
License Number: EXAMBUI001AB
UBI Number: 123-456-789-001
Status: ACTIVE
Bond Information:
Status: Active
Amount: $24,000
Expiration: 12/31/2025
Insurance Status: Compliant
Workers' Comp: Active account, no violations
Registration Type: General Contractor
First Registration: 03/15/2008
Complaints/Violations: None on record
This contractor is good to hire. Active license, adequate bond, compliant insurance, no complaints.
Sample Verification: Red Flags
Here's what a problematic record looks like:
Business Name: Shady Remodelers Inc
License Number: SHADRI999ZZ
UBI Number: 987-654-321-001
Status: SUSPENDED
Bond Information:
Status: Cancelled
Previous Amount: $12,000
Insurance Status: Non-compliant
Workers' Comp: Account suspended - unpaid premiums
Registration Type: General Contractor
First Registration: 06/10/2019
Complaints/Violations:
- 08/2021: Failure to complete work (Resolved - refund issued)
- 03/2022: Using unlicensed subcontractors (Violation - $1,500 fine)
- 11/2022: Bond claim paid (Customer complaint - incomplete work)
- 02/2023: License suspended pending bond reinstatement
Do not hire this contractor. Suspended license, no bond, multiple complaints, clear pattern of problems.
Beyond L&I: Additional Verification
L&I verification is essential but not complete due diligence. Also check:
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Visit bbb.org and search the business name.
Note: BBB accreditation is paid (not earned). Focus on complaint history, not rating.
Google Reviews
Search "[Contractor Name] reviews" and read recent detailed reviews.
Look for:
- Specific project descriptions
- How problems were handled
- Consistent themes (good or bad)
Beware: Very short reviews or sudden clusters of perfect ratings may be fake.
Specialty Licenses
For specific trades, additional licenses may be required:
Electrical:
- Search: lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/electrical
- Electricians need both contractor license AND electrical license
Plumbing:
- Plumbers need specialty certification
- Can verify through L&I
HVAC:
- Refrigerant handling requires EPA certification
- Verify through contractor directly
Permit History
Contact your local building department and ask about the contractor's permit history:
- Do they pull permits regularly?
- Any failed inspections?
- Any complaints from inspectors?
What to Do If You Find Problems
If License Is Not Active
Do not hire. It's that simple. An inactive license means they're operating illegally.
If You Find Complaints
- Read the complaint details carefully
- Look at resolution—was it resolved fairly?
- Consider the ratio (2 complaints in 20 years vs. 5 in 2 years)
- Ask the contractor directly about complaints
If Contractor Isn't Listed at All
They're either:
- Not registered (illegal if doing work over $2,000)
- Registered under a different name
- Very new (may not show up immediately)
Ask for their license number directly. If they can't provide one, do not hire.
If Information Doesn't Match
If the contractor gives you information that doesn't match L&I records:
- Ask them to clarify
- They may have multiple business entities
- If discrepancies persist, walk away
Quick Verification Checklist
Before hiring any Washington contractor, verify:
- License status is Active
- Bond is Active with adequate amount
- Insurance shows Compliant
- Workers' comp account is Active
- Specialty type matches your project
- Complaint history is acceptable
- Business has multiple years of history (preferably 5+)
Using Our Directory for Pre-Verified Contractors
Don't want to do manual verification? Our Washington Contractor Directory pulls data directly from L&I records:
- Every listed contractor has been verified active
- Bond status and amount shown
- Complaint history noted
- License type and specialty displayed
This doesn't replace your own verification (always confirm before signing), but it filters out unlicensed operators from the start.
What L&I Verification Can't Tell You
L&I confirms legal compliance, not quality. A contractor can be fully licensed and still do poor work.
L&I tells you:
- They're legally registered
- They have required insurance/bonds
- Their complaint history
L&I doesn't tell you:
- Quality of their work
- Reliability and communication
- Fair pricing
- Customer satisfaction (beyond formal complaints)
Complete due diligence requires:
- L&I verification (legal compliance)
- Reference checks (quality/reliability)
- Written bids (pricing/scope)
- Gut check (do you trust them?)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is there a fee to check a contractor's license? A: No. The L&I verification website is free and public.
Q: How current is the L&I database? A: Generally up-to-date, though very recent changes may take a few days to appear.
Q: What if the contractor works in multiple states? A: You need an active Washington license to work in Washington, regardless of licenses elsewhere.
Q: Can I hire someone without a license for work under $2,000? A: Yes, but they still can't perform work requiring permits (electrical, plumbing, structural) regardless of cost.
Q: What if my contractor's license expires during my project? A: Ask them to renew immediately. Do not make additional payments until they're active again.
Ready to find pre-verified Washington contractors? Use our free contractor search to find licensed professionals in your area—already verified so you can focus on finding the right fit.