Handyman Licenses in Washington: Everything You Need to Know

If you’re considering offering handyman services in Washington state, it’s essential to understand the local laws.

In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about licensing laws for handymen in Washington.

I’ve poured over pages of difficult-to-understand legal jargon and pulled out the critical information you need before offering handyman services for profit.

Do you need a license to offer handyman services in Washington?

No, a license isn’t required to offer handyman services in the state of Washington. However, the limitations are so restrictive that most handyman contractors opt to register.

Washington state uses the term registered rather than licensed to refer to handymen who can advertise for work and take on projects that are over $500. This is a far cry from many regions that don’t cap unlicensed/unregistered handymen until a job reaches $1K-$2K, explaining why most handymen go through with the registration process.

In Washington, “licensed” is reserved for contractors with specialized training, such as plumbing and electrical.

Limitations for unregistered handymen

First, if you choose NOT to register, you must keep the maximum project cost below $500 – including labor and materials. There are legal implications and fines associated with breaching this regulation (around $1,000 per infraction).

According to the technical specialist I spoke with at the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, the allowance for unregistered handyman work is designed for times when “a neighbor helps a neighbor,” or “a friend helps a friend,” and really nothing more. The $500 restriction is inclusive of materials and labor.

Further, advertising your services or soliciting work as an unregistered handyman is prohibited. Since it makes it nearly impossible to run a profitable handyman business without advertising, it makes sense to get a license if you are serious about growing a business.

Limitations for registered handymen

Once you register, which is easy to do, you can perform projects up to $2,000, including labor and materials. Additionally, you can work as a subcontractor. Compared to other states, Washington’s laws are VERY handyman friendly. In most states the limitations are much lower, like $1,000 or even $500 in California.

However, there are some limitations on the type of work you can perform even when you register.

Registered handymen aren’t permitted to work on jobs requiring a license (i.e., HVAC, plumbing, electrical). In fact, they’re encouraged to avoid all work related to plumbing and electrical, which is different from other state laws. While changing a flapper in a toilet or switching out a light fixture is acceptable in states like California, Georgia, and Arizona, Washington is more likely to crack down on handymen engaging in plumbing and electrical-related work.

Finally, handymen are unable to accept projects that require building permits. The exception is if they’re hired by a general contractor as a “sub” to perform handyman services, in which case the GC is the authorized party to obtain the permit. Also to note: registered handymen in Washington must work independently, without partners or employees.

Advertising guidelines and constraints

The right to advertise is limited to registered handymen. The important takeaway here is the need to include your active registration number on all correspondence that includes your name or address. This includes contracts, cards, signs, posters, papers, documents, and invoices.

Following this guideline will help protect you from a run-in with the law.

Penalties for contracting illegally

Working outside laws in place for handymen – whether performing work over $500 if unregistered, or dabbling in electrical work if registered – places the handyman in jeopardy. Fines range from $250 to $10,000, depending on the type of violation and whether it’s the perpetrator’s first, second, or fifth infraction. Every subsequent violation increases the penalty and fine.

Many states are clamping down on unlicensed/unregistered workers. Customers can also report violators to the licensing board if they discover that they don’t have the proper certifications. The range of monetary penalties that can be assessed can be found here.

Bottom line: work within the law. The penalties just aren’t worth it.

Steps for becoming a registered handyman in Washington

The state of Washington classifies handymen as “Speciality Contractors” as opposed to General Contractors (authorized to obtain building permits and hire subcontractors for their projects).

To register as a Speciality Contractor in the state, five steps must be taken:

1. Register your business with the state’s Department of Revenue.
2. Get a surety bond or an assignment of savings.
3. Purchase a general liability insurance policy.
4. Complete your Application for Contractor Registration.
5. Pay the required application fee of $124.70.

Fortuitously, detailed instructions (and links) for meeting each of these requirements are clearly outlined on the Washington State Department of L&I website here.

On this page, you’ll also find information on local L&I office locations. Visiting your local L&I outpost is encouraged, as customer service reps are on hand to answer questions and facilitate the processing of your application.

Alternatively, applications can be mailed to the address provided through the link above.

Questions can be directed to their office via email at ContReg@Lni.wa.gov or phone at 360-902-5226 (Option 2).

Conclusion

If you don’t mind sticking to small jobs of $500 or less and believe you can drum up enough work without advertising, there’s no need to register as a handyman in Washington.

With this said, many will choose to register through the state’s L&I division to leverage marketing and extend the scale of projects they can accept. Luckily, this is a relatively easy process. All you have to do is jump through a few hoops, pay a small fee, and you’re set up to run a profitable handyman business.

Compared to most states, Washington’s laws are handyman-friendly.