How to Check a Contractor in Washington with L&I Verify a Contractor

November 13, 2026

Washington requires most construction contractors, from remodelers and roofers to handymen doing repair work for pay, to register with the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). Registration doesn’t guarantee good work, but L&I notes that hiring a registered contractor may give you protections that aren’t available otherwise. Checking takes about two minutes.

Step 1: Get the business name and registration number

Ask for the contractor’s Washington registration number. Registered contractors are generally expected to include it in their advertising, bids and contracts. If someone can’t or won’t give you one, treat that as a warning sign.

Step 2: Search on Verify a Contractor

Go to WA L&I Verify a Contractor and search by business name, owner name or registration number. Look for:

Active registration. Check that the status is active and the expiration date hasn’t passed.
Bond. Registered contractors carry a surety bond. The record shows the bond and any lawsuits filed against it.
Insurance. Check that liability insurance is on file and current.
Safety and license history. L&I lists workplace safety violations, infractions and past lawsuits against the bond. One old item may not mean much, but a pattern is worth asking about.
Trade licenses. Electricians and plumbers need their own licenses. HVAC electrical work, for example, needs an electrician with the right specialty license.

Step 3: Match the record to the person in front of you

Make sure the name on the bid, the truck and the contract matches the registered business. If a different company will actually do the work, look that company up too.

Step 4: Protect yourself on bigger jobs

Get at least three written bids and compare them carefully.
Get a written contract that spells out the scope, price, schedule and payment terms.
For larger projects, consider asking about a performance bond.
Read L&I’s Hiring a Contractor page for L&I’s own checklist, including the Homeowner Recovery Fund for eligible homeowners.

What about house cleaners?

House cleaning businesses don’t register with L&I as construction contractors, but they should hold a Washington business license. Use the Washington business lookup to confirm the license is active.

Clark County Contractors doesn’t vet, rate, recommend or guarantee any business. Always do your own checks before hiring.

Before you hire

Clark County Contractors is a free directory. You contact businesses directly, and we don't vet, rate or recommend anyone. A few minutes of checking can save a lot of trouble:

Check the registration. Look up any construction contractor on WA L&I Verify a Contractor for registration, bond, insurance and violations.

Get more than one written bid. Compare the scope, materials, schedule and payment terms, not just the price.

Ask about permits. Find out who pulls them: your city, or Clark County for unincorporated areas.

Watch for red flags. Be wary of large cash deposits, pressure to sign today, and no written contract.