Contractor Laws & Rules

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

Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Chapter 296-200A.
Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 18.27.

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.

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.

2025 rulemaking

2SHB 1534 Implementation – Phase 3

L&I is considering changes to the state’s contractor registration rules to implement a new Homeowner Recovery Program. The amendments are necessary because of legislation that passed in 2023.

The changes would affect Chapter 296-200A WAC, Contractor Certificate of Registration Renewals – Security – Insurance.

L&I filed a CR-101 Preproposal Statement of Inquiry on May 6.

About the new laws

2023’s Second Substitute House Bill 1534 (2SHB 1534) (Chapter 213, Laws of 2023) helps to strengthen protection for consumers in the construction industry. The legislation directed L&I to establish and administer a new Homeowner Recovery Program by July 1, 2024.

The program provides a safeguard and a path to financial recovery for consumers harmed by construction contractors. Beginning July 1, 2026, eligible construction consumers can apply for recovery payments for financial loss stemming for construction contractor work.

This rulemaking considers amendments to administer the newly established program and ensure access for construction consumers by July 1, 2026.

L&I has been implementing provisions of the statutory changes in 2SHB 1534 in multiple phases of rulemaking. This rulemaking initiates the final phase.

If adopted, the new rules would take effect July 1, 2026.

Rulemaking documents

Notice of intent (05/06/2025)

CR-101 Preproposal Statement of Inquiry

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 rule 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)