Washington Continuous Contractor Bonds

Step 1 of 4

What is your Contractor Type?

Washington L&I classifies licenses into two main categories.

General Contractor You can hire subcontractors and work on more than one building trade.

Specialty Contractor You specialize in ONE trade (e.g., painting, concrete, roofing) and do not hire subs.

Electrical / Plumbing Separate bonds required ($4k for Electrical, $6k for Plumbing).

New Bond Limits in Effect

As of July 1, 2024, L&I increased the required bond amounts. General Contractors moved from $12k to $30k. Specialty moved from $6k to $15k.

Why is this bond required?

The "Continuous Contractor Surety Bond" protects the public. L&I requires it to ensure you pay:

Wages & Benefits: To employees and unions.
Taxes: To the WA Department of Revenue.
Claims: From customers for breach of contract or negligent work.

Step 2 of 4

Contractor Credit Score

Soft pull only. Your rate is based on personal credit.

Excellent (700+)

Lowest rates. Typically 1% - 2% of the bond amount.

Select This

Fair (600 - 699)

Standard rates. We can still e-file instantly.

Select This

Under 600 / New

We have bad credit programs to get you licensed.

Select This

Step 3 of 4

Select Bond Amount

These amounts are mandatory per WA state law (RCW 18.27).

$15,000 Specialty Contractors

$30,000 General Contractors

Note: You do NOT pay $30,000. You pay a small annual premium (typically starting at $270/year).

Step 4 of 4

Do you have your Liability Insurance?

WA L&I will reject your application without it.

General Liability (Mandatory) Required Limits: $50k Property / $200k Injury OR $250k Combined Single Limit.

Commercial Auto Coverage for your work trucks and vans.

Tools & Equipment Protection for your tools if they are stolen from a job site.

How L&I E-Filing Works

Washington L&I no longer wants paper bonds. We are approved to electronically push your bond directly into their database.

The Process:

Purchase: Buy your bond online in 2 minutes.
Submission: We transmit the bond number to L&I instantly.
Active: You can see your bond status on the L&I website immediately.

Direct to L&I

No Paperwork

Start Filing

New 2025 Bond Pricing

Rates have adjusted slightly due to the increased coverage limits.

Specialty Contractor

$15,000 Bond

$135 - $150

Per Year
For contractors limited to one trade (e.g., painters, drywall).

Most Common

General Contractor

$30,000 Bond

$270 - $300

Per Year
For contractors hiring subs or managing multiple trades.

Bad Credit

High Risk

Varies

Financing Available
If your credit is below 600, rates are typically 5% - 10% of the bond amount.

L&I Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to renew my bond if my license renews later?

If your registration expiration date was after July 1, 2024, you must increase your bond to the new amount ($30k/$15k) at the time of your renewal. We handle this update automatically for you.

What if I am an Electrical or Plumbing contractor?

You have different bond requirements. Electrical contractors need a $4,000 bond (RCW 19.28). Plumbers need a $6,000 bond (RCW 18.106). We offer these as well, but they were NOT affected by the 2024 increase.

Is this bond "Continuous"?

Yes. "Continuous" means the bond remains in full force and effect until cancelled. You just pay the renewal premium every year to keep it active.

Can I switch from General to Specialty to save money?

Yes, but be careful. If you downgrade to Specialty ($15k bond), you are strictly prohibited from hiring subcontractors. If L&I catches you hiring a sub, they will fine you for working out of classification.