Telecommunications contractors are businesses or individuals who support electronic transmission of audio and visual signals. Businesses working in this trade must have a valid telecommunications contractor license. Each telecommunications contractor must also have a certified telecommunications administrator to ensure the business follows the state laws, rules, and regulations.

There are no certification requirement for individuals performing telecommunications installations. There are, however, other business requirements to perform the work.

Application requirements
  • A valid UBI number from the Business Licensing Service or Secretary of State.
  • A certified, assigned telecommunications administrator.
  • An original, $4,000 electrical/telecommunications contractor’s bond, or assignment of savings account.
  • A certificate of liability insurance, with a minimum amount of $170,000.
    Insurance agents may expedite services by using our Online Insurance tool.
  • A workers’ compensation account if the business hire employees.

If a telecommunications contracting business does other, non-electrical work, registration as a contractor may also be required.

Apply

Apply by mail

To apply, complete an Application for Electrical or Telecommunication Contractor’s License (F500-018-000). In a single envelope, mail it and all other forms required as instructed on the application form.

Apply in Person

You may also contact your local L&I office for assistance or visit one to submit your application and fees in person.

What L&I will do

We will notify you of the action taken on your application within 8-10 weeks after we receive your information.

Renew

Use our Verify tool to view your status. Telecommunication contractor licenses must be renewed every 2 years. You can save money by renewing online.

Your license expires 2 years from its effective date and should be renewed before it expires. If you or your employees are on the job with a license that is expired, suspended, inactive, or revoked, you can be subject to citation and fines.

Renew online

To renew online, you must have:

  • A current bond or assignment of savings.
  • A certificate of general liability insurance.
    Insurance agents may expedite services by using our Online Insurance tool.
  • A current administrator assigned.
  • No outstanding, unpaid citations.

If your license has been expired for more than 90 days, you cannot renew online and you must contact us to renew. For assistance, email us at ElectricalProgram@Lni.wa.gov or call 360-902-5269.

You will need:
  • Your 12-digit telecommunication contractor license number.
  • UBI number.
  • Email address.
  • If you are updating your mailing address, you will need the last 4 digits of one of the principals’ Social Security numbers.
  • Your renewal fee payable by credit/debit card or electronic check.
What we will do

We will verify that you have:

  • All required documents on file with us.
  • Paid the appropriate renewal fee.
  • No outstanding fines or penalties.

Within 5 days after we receive your renewal, we will:

  • Send your license.
  • Notify you if there are any outstanding issues that need to be resolved.
Updating your telecommunication contractor license

If the principals, members, or owners of the company need to be updated:
Complete the Electrical Telecommunication Principal Member Owner Update Request (F500-124-000) and submit it to the electrical licensing section by:

Fax: 360-902-5595
Mail: to the L&I address on the form.

You may need to re-license your business if you are changing your:
  • Business name (e.g., Fred's Telecom to Frederick Telecom Company).
  • Business structure, including:
    • UBI number changes.
    • Changing from a partnership to a corporation, individual proprietorship to partnership, etc.
  • Ownership (other than changes to corporate members).
If you are required to re-license, you will need to:
More information

Reinstate

L&I will suspend a telecommunications contractor whenever the minimum license requirements are not met. This includes but is not limited to:

  • Failure to have a current unimpaired bond or assignment of savings on file with us.
  • An active telecommunications administrator assigned.
  • Current certificate of insurance -- Minimum of $170,000.00.
    Insurance agents may expedite services by using our Online Insurance tool.

Reinstate online

To reinstate a suspended license online, all required documents must be on file with us. You must not have any outstanding, unpaid citations with us. To check this, use our electrical violations lookup tool or call us at 360-902-5269.

To reinstate online, you will need:

  • Your 12 digit electrical contractor license number.
  • All required documents on file with us.
  • Email address and phone number.
  • Pay the reinstatement fee.

You can't reinstate an electrical contractor license without meeting all license requirements or satisfying the reason of suspension.

In person

You can reinstate your electrical contractor license, by taking your required documents into your local L&I office. Once the documents are recorded, payment can be made by credit/debit card, cash, check, or money order.

By mail

Mail your required documents, along with a check or money order to:

Department of Labor & Industries
Electrical Program
P.O. Box 44460
Olympia, WA 98504-4460

What we will do

We will verify that you have:

  • All required documents on file with us.
  • The correct fee has been paid.
  • There are no outstanding fines or penalties associated with the license/UBI.

Within 5 days after we receive your renewal, we will:

  • Reinstate your license and notify you by mail.
  • Notify you if there are any outstanding issues that need to be resolved.
Member Owner Update

If the principals, members, or owners of the company need to be updated, complete the Electrical Telecommunication Principal Member Owner Update Request (F500-124-000) and submit it to us by:

Mail to:
Department of Labor & Industries
Electrical Program
P.O. Box 44460
Olympia, WA 98504-4460

Re-licensing

You may need to re-license your business, if you are changing your:

  • Business name (e.g., Fred's Electrical to Frederick Electric Company).
  • Business structure, including:
    • UBI (Unified Business Identifier) number changes.
    • Changing from a partnership to a corporation, individual proprietorship to
      partnership, etc.
  • Ownership (other than changes to corporate members).

If you are required to re-license, you will need to:

  • Apply for a new telecommunications contractor license (See Apply tab).
  • Submit a new notarized Change Assignment of Administrator/Master Certificate (F503-009-000) form.
  • Purchase a new bond or assignment of savings.
  • A valid certificate of liability insurance -- minimum amount of $170,000.

More information

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