Contractor Laws & Rules

Laws and rules about contractor registration can be found in the:

The laws and rules are maintained and updated by the State Office of the Code Reviser.

All Rulemakings in the Contractor Registration Program can be found here.

2024 rulemaking

Fee increase

L&I has adopted fee increases by 6.41% to cover operating expenses for its Contractor Registration Program.

The agency filed a CR-103 Adoption Order on April 22. The adopted rule takes effect July 1, 2025

The fee increase would affect WAC 296-200A-900, What fees does the department charge contractors for issuance, renewal, reregistration, and reinstatement of certificates of registration?

Rulemaking documents

Notice of intent (10/22/2024)

Proposed rule language (01/21/2025)

Final adoption (04/22/2025)

2025 rulemaking

Online Insurance

L&I is considering changes to state contractor registration and plumbing contractor licensing rules. The changes under consideration would require insurance companies to electronically submit insurance documents and information to transition to an online insurance system for most applicants for contractor registration and plumbing contractor licensing.

The changes would affect rules under:

About the rulemaking

Currently, L&I accepts paper copies of general liability insurance certificates, reinstatements, and cancellations for contractor registration and plumbing contractor licensing by mail and in-person. Either insurance companies or contractor applicants can submit the documents. This process is time-consuming, costly, and inefficient for both the agency and customers.

L&I is considering changes to only accept the documents electronically from insurance companies through the online insurance system known as the Electronic Bond and Insurance Policy System (EBIPS). L&I would no longer accept paper copies by mail, in-person, or through any other electronic method for contractor registration or plumbing contractor licensing. The only exception would be for first-time applicants for contractor registration or plumbing contractor licensing; these first-time applicants could submit insurance documents and information in-person or by U.S. Postal Service mail.

Opportunities to comment

L&I filed a Pre-proposal Statement of Inquiry (CR-101) on April 22. This formally started the rulemaking process. L&I will seek input on the rule development from stakeholders and interested parties.

Rulemaking documents

Notice of intent (04/22/2025)

CR-101 Pre-Proposal Statement of Inquiry.

Here’s what happens next

  • Sept. 2, 2025: Proposed rules (CR-102) are expected to be filed.
  • October 2025: Public hearings will be scheduled on the proposed rules on dates to be determined.
  • Nov.18, 2025: Final rules (CR-103) are expected to be adopted.
  • Jan. 15, 2026: New rules would take effect.

2024 rulemaking

Fee increase

L&I is proposing fee increases of 6.41% to cover operating expenses for its Contractor Registration Program.

The agency filed the CR-102 Proposal on Jan. 21. The fee increase is the maximum allowed by the state Office of Financial Management for fiscal year 2026. It is based on the average personal income growth over the past decade.

The fee increase would affectWAC 296-200A-900, What fees does the department charge contractors for issuance, renewal, reregistration, and reinstatement of certificates of registration?

If adopted, the rule amendments would take effect July 1, 2025.

How to participate

A public hearing on the proposed rules will take place Feb. 25, 2025, at 10 a.m.at L&I headquarters, 7273 Linderson Way S.W., Tumwater, WA. Besides participating in person, you can join the meeting using:

Zoom Meeting:

Click here to join the meeting:

https://lni-wa-gov.zoom.us/j/83338607370?pwd=LZl8Lshkw7yTRbgRSo2WbBh0jLND1C.1

Passcode: HE.HuW7#

Or call:

1-253-215-8782

Meeting ID: 833 3860 7370

Passcode: 14603885

You can provide testimony or written comments at the above hearing, or send written comments by 5 p.m. Feb. 25, 2025, to:

  • Meagan Edwards
  • Email: Edwards@Lni.wa.gov
  • Mail: Department of Labor & Industries, Field Services & Public Safety Division, PO Box 44400, Olympia, WA 98504-4400

If you require communication or accommodation arrangements, please contact Meagan Edwards at 360-522-0125, by February 11.

Rulemaking documents

Notice of intent (10/22/2024)

Proposed rule language (01/21/2025)

Here’s what happens next:

  • Feb. 25, 2025: A public hearing on the proposed rules is scheduled for 10 a.m.
  • Apr. 22, 2025: The final rules (CR-103) are expected to be filed with the state Office of the Code Reviser.
  • July 1, 2025: The rule changes, if adopted, take effect.

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