District of Columbia Contractor License Requirements
verifiedState-Level License RequiredDC requires a basic business license with a construction endorsement. Specialty trades require separate licenses. The District has higher insurance minimums than most states.
gavelHow Contractor Licensing Works in District of Columbia
The District of Columbia wraps contractor authorization into its business licensing system: general contractors need a Basic Business License with a construction endorsement from the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, rather than a traditional trade-board license. The file is document-heavy — proof of insurance at the $500,000 liability level, among the highest minimums anywhere, a surety bond, and Clean Hands certification confirming you owe no outstanding debts to the District. Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work require separate master or journeyman trade licenses. Compared with Virginia's tiered exam system across the river, DC substitutes financial and administrative vetting for testing, but the paperwork burden is heavier than the no-exam structure suggests.
Start with Clean Hands, because it is the step most likely to stall everything else: any unresolved DC tax bills, fines, or fees blocks the certification, and applications sit until the balance clears. Then assemble the insurance certificate at the $500,000 minimum, the surety bond, and workers compensation proof, and file for the Basic Business License with the construction endorsement. Renewal is biennial from issue. Line up licensed trade professionals for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC scopes, since the general endorsement does not cover them and DC inspectors check credentials. The recurring mistake among contractors entering from Maryland and Virginia is treating DC as an extension of their home market — the District's requirements are its own, with no reciprocity.
account_balanceLicensing Board
Board Name
DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection
Website
https://dlcp.dc.gov/Phone
(202) 442-4400
descriptionLicense Types
| Type | Threshold | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General Contractor | All work | Basic business license with construction endorsement required |
| Electrical | All work | Master electrician or journeyman license required |
| Plumbing | All work | Master plumber or journeyman license required |
| HVAC | All work | HVAC license required through DCRA |
checklistRequirements
- check_circleBasic business license
- check_circleConstruction endorsement
- check_circleProof of insurance
- check_circleClean Hands certification
- check_circleSurety bond
paymentsFee Schedule
Application
$325
Annual Renewal
$325
Exam Fee
$100
event_repeatRenewal Period
Biennial — license issue date
shieldInsurance Minimums
General Liability
$500,000
Workers Compensation
Required
swap_horizReciprocity
- arrow_forwardNo reciprocity agreements
helpFrequently Asked Questions
Do I need a contractor license in Washington, DC?
Yes — general contractors need a Basic Business License with a construction endorsement from the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, plus insurance at the $500,000 liability level, a surety bond, and Clean Hands certification. Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work require separate master or journeyman licenses on all jobs.
What is Clean Hands certification and why does it matter in DC?
Clean Hands certifies that you owe no outstanding debts to the District — unpaid taxes, fines, or fees all block it, and without it your license application cannot proceed. It is the most common holdup in DC contractor licensing, so resolve any District balances before filing rather than discovering them mid-application.
Does DC accept contractor licenses from Maryland or Virginia?
No — the District maintains no reciprocity agreements, so Maryland and Virginia licenses carry no weight across the border. Every contractor completes DC's own process: Basic Business License, construction endorsement, $500,000 insurance, surety bond, and Clean Hands certification. Trade professionals apply separately for DC master or journeyman licenses in their trades.
How long does DC contractor licensing take?
With clean finances and complete documents, expect a few weeks to about a month for the Basic Business License and construction endorsement. The variable is Clean Hands: any outstanding District obligation freezes the application until resolved. The license renews every two years from issue, and insurance and bond must stay current throughout.
infoData sourced from state licensing board websites. Requirements change frequently — verify with your state board before applying. Last updated April 2026.