How to apply for an elevator contractor license

An elevator contractor’s license allows you to employ licensed elevator mechanics and pursue public and private contracts, but does not allow you to personally work on an elevator. You can, of course, obtain both an elevator contractor’s license and an elevator mechanic’s license if you qualify or successfully pass the tests. You must first be registered as a contractor with the state of Washington to be an elevator contractor.

What you need to do

1. Make sure that you don't have any outstanding, unpaid infractions with L&I or unpaid state-ordered child support payments.
   Check the Lookup Violators site to make sure you don't have any outstanding, unpaid infractions with L&I.
   Check with Department of Social & Health Services Division of Child Support for information regarding unpaid state-ordered child Support payments.
2. Print the elevator contractor license application and fill it out.
   Download and complete the "Elevator Contractor Application for Licensure" application now.
   You will need to specify a Primary Point of Contact on the application. This person can be either yourself or another person in your company who is responsible for ensuring that your company follows all rules and regulations regarding conveyances.
3. Click to choose the experience scenario that applies to you, then click to see what you need to do.
   • Scenario 1: If you (a person, firm, or company) have been registered as a specialty or general contractor and doing elevator or other conveyance work for at least five years, click here to see what you need to do.
     1. Gather the supporting documentation to verify that you (person, firm, or company) have been registeredas a specialty or general construction contractor and have been doing elevator or other conveyance work for at least five years. You will need to attach this information when you submit your application. Detailed information about how to do this is included with the application form.
     2. Pay the $171.20 application fee and submit your elevator contractor application and documentation. $114.10 (minus a $34.10 processing fee) of that fee is refundable to you if you do not currently qualify for a license.
        
        There are three ways you can do this:
     • Pay online for your elevator contractor license via L&I’s Get or Renew a License (QuickCards) system.
       Then mail your completed application and experience/education documentation to L&I's elevator program at the address indicated on the application form.
       — OR —
     • Mail your application fee (check or money order), your application and your experience/education documentation to L&I's elevator program at the address indicated on the application form.
       — OR —
     • Go to one of L&I's 20 service locations where you can pay your application fee (check, money order or credit card) and submit your application and experience/education documentation.
   • Scenario 2: If you (a person, firm, or company) DO NOT have five years experience as a registered contractor doing elevator or other conveyance work, click here to see what you need to do.
     1. Make sure you get a valid specialty or general contractor registration from L&I. You will need to include your contractor registration number when you submit your application.
     2. Pay the $171.20 application fee and submit your elevator contractor application. $114.10 of that fee is refundable to you if you do not currently qualify for a license.
     3. Pay an additional $171.20 fee for a written examination which your designated Primary Point of Contact must pass on behalf of the contractor (a person, firm, or company). This examination covers state of Washington rules and codes relating to elevators. (RCW 70.87 and WAC 296-96-00500 et al.)
        
        There are three ways you can do this:
     • Pay online the application fee for your elevator contractor license via L&I’s Get or Renew a License (QuickCards) system.
       — AND —
       Pay online the examination fee for your Primary Point of Contact.
       Then mail your completed application to L&I's elevator program at the address indicated on the application form.
       — OR —
     • Mail your application fee (and exam fee if needed), along with your completed application to L&I's elevator program at the address indicated on the application form. You can pay by check or money order.
       — OR —
     • Go to one of L&I's 20 service locations where you can pay your application fee (and exam fee if needed) and submit your application and experience/education documentation. You can pay by check, money order, or credit card.
4. Get prepared to take the examination when L&I gives you approval.
   See our exam information page for information about how to prepare.

What L&I will do

Once L&I has your completed application and supporting documentation, we will:

1. Verify that the following information is on file with the department:
   • All necessary application information.
   • Sufficient experience to meet the eligibility requirements.
   • Necessary educational documentation.
2. Within 30 days after we receive the information listed above, L&I will do one of the following:
   • Notify you that you need to take an examination, as well as when and where that exam will next be held.
   • Send you a license if you are eligible.
     You will receive a certificate and a license card. The initial license will be valid for two years and must be renewed with an application available from L&I.
     — OR —
   • Let you know that you may not take the examination until you get additional training and/or experience.

About the exam

The examination will be an open-book examination and will consist of approximately 100 to 150 multiple-choice questions.

A score of at least 70 percent is required to pass. Examinations shall be held at locations and times when considered necessary by the department.

Please contact the Elevator Section directly to schedule a test.

Applicants should prepare for the exam by studying the following:

• Revised Code of Washington Chapter 70.87 (68 KB PDF) - Elevators, lifting devices, and moving walks.
• Washington Administrative Code section 296-96 (636 KB PDF / 1.8 min) - Safety regulations and fees for all elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators and other conveyances.
• Revised Code of Washington Chapter 49.17 - Washington industrial safety and health act.
• Washington Administrative Code section 296-200A - Contractor certificate of registration renewals — security — insurance

Please bring these materials with you to the examination. The department will not supply reference materials for the exam.

How to renew your elevator contractor's license

The renewal period is two years from the date of issuance.

What you need to do

1. Make sure that you don't have any outstanding, unpaid infractions with L&I or unpaid state-ordered child support payments.
   Check the Lookup Violators site to make sure you don't have any outstanding, unpaid infractions with L&I.
   Check with Department of Social & Health Services Division of Child Support for information regarding unpaid state-ordered child Support payments.
2. Download and complete the elevator contractor license application.
   Download and complete the Elevator Contractor Application for Licensure application, or if you've saved the one you submitted for your original license, you can update and resubmit it.
   Be sure your Primary Point of Contact on the application is current. This person can be either yourself or another person in your company who is responsible for ensuring that your company follows all rules and regulations regarding conveyances. If you have a new Primary Point of Contact, that person will need to pass the exam and you will need to follow the instructions on our "How to apply for an elevator contractor license" page.
3. Pay the renewal fee and submit your application.
   • Pay the fees as listed below and on the Licensing Fees page:
     • Timely — The fee is $114.10 if the renewal application is received on or prior to the expiration date of the license.
     • Late — The fee is $228.40 if the application for renewal is received no later than 90 days after the expiration of the license. If the application is not received within 90 days of license expiration, the licensee must reapply and pass the competency examination.
   • There are three ways you can do this:
     • Pay online via L&I’s Get or Renew a License (QuickCards) system using this link.
       Then mail your completed application to L&I's elevator program at the address indicated on the application form.
       — OR —
     • Mail your application fee, your completed application to L&I's elevator program at the address indicated on the application form. Payment can be made by check or money order.
       — OR —
     • Go to one of L&I's 20 service locations where you can pay your application fee and submit your completed application. You can pay by check, money order or credit card.

What L&I will do

Once we have your completed application, we will:

1. Verify that the following information is on file with the department:
   • All necessary application information.
   • Sufficient experience to meet the eligibility requirements.
2. Within 30 days after we receive the information listed above, L&I will do one of the following:
   • Send you a license if you are eligible.
     You will receive a certificate and a license card.
     — OR —
   • Let you know why your application for renewal is being denied and what you need to do about it.

License Fees — New and Renewal

These fees apply to the process for elevator contractors and elevator mechanics getting licensed or getting their licenses renewed.

Effective May 1, 2012

* Reciprocity application is only allowed for applicants who are applying for licensing based upon possession of a valid license that was obtained in state(s) with which the department has a reciprocity agreement.

** Renewals will be considered "timely" when the renewal application is received on or prior to the expiration date of the license.

*** Late renewal is for renewal applications received no later than ninety days after the expiration of the licenses. If the application is not received within ninety days from license expiration, the licensee must reapply and pass the competency examination.

**** The fee is paid directly to the continuing education training course provider approved by the department.