How to get a roofing license in Washington
Edited by John Voll. Last verified .
Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), Contractor Registration registers roofing contractors in Washington. Registration is not a competency license. The L&I Contractor License Data: General, Washington State Department of Labor and Industries lists 534 active roofing business records as of October 6, 2026.
Who licenses roofing work in Washington
| Credential | State registration (no competency license) |
|---|---|
| Board | Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), Contractor Registration official statement |
| Official lookup | Search roofing licenses |
| License types | Specialty Contractor registration: Roofing |
How to get licensed
- Register with L&I as a Specialty Contractor registration: Roofing.
- No exam for L&I contractor registration; exams apply only to plumbing, electrical, elevator, mobile home, boiler and asbestos work. Electrical or plumbing work on the job may also need an L&I electrical license or plumber certification. source
- No experience requirement for L&I contractor registration; education and exam rules apply only to the listed trades. Electrical or plumbing work on the job may also need an L&I electrical license or plumber certification. source
- Post a continuous contractor surety bond of $15,000 (specialty contractor). source
- Carry general liability insurance: $200,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit. source
- Pay the registration fee, each issuance, renewal or reregistration (WAC effective 7/1/26): $150.20. source
- Registration is valid for two years and must be renewed on or before expiration. source
Roofing requirements in Washington
| Exam | No exam for L&I contractor registration; exams apply only to plumbing, electrical, elevator, mobile home, boiler and asbestos work. Electrical or plumbing work on the job may also need an L&I electrical license or plumber certification. source |
|---|---|
| Experience | No experience requirement for L&I contractor registration; education and exam rules apply only to the listed trades. Electrical or plumbing work on the job may also need an L&I electrical license or plumber certification. source |
| Bond | Continuous contractor surety bond of $15,000 (specialty contractor). source |
| Insurance | General liability insurance: $200,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit. source |
| Renewal | 2 years (Registration is valid for two years and must be renewed on or before expiration). source |
| Reciprocity | Not found on an official source. No reciprocity provision in RCW 18.27 or on the L&I registration page. Registration has no exam, so there is no competency license to reciprocate. |
| Fees |
Hiring a roofing contractor?
See every official lookup in Washington, which board covers which trade, and what to check before you hire.
Questions
- Do you need a roofing license in Washington?
- Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), Contractor Registration registers roofing contractors in Washington. Registration is not a competency license.
- How do I check a roofing license in Washington?
- The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), Contractor Registration keeps the record for roofing contractors in Washington. Use the official lookup on this page, and treat the board's own record as final.
- How much does a roofing license cost in Washington?
- $150.20 (Registration fee, each issuance, renewal or reregistration (WAC effective 7/1/26)). $70.90 (Reinstatement of a suspended registration). $16.50 (Duplicate certificate of registration).
- How much experience do you need for a roofing license in Washington?
- No experience requirement for L&I contractor registration; education and exam rules apply only to the listed trades. Electrical or plumbing work on the job may also need an L&I electrical license or plumber certification.
- How often does a roofing license renew in Washington?
- Registration is valid for two years and must be renewed on or before expiration.
Other trades in Washington
- General contractor license in Washington
- Electrical license in Washington
- Plumbing license in Washington
- HVAC license in Washington
- All Washington trades
Roofing license in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- https://lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/contractors/register-as-a-contractor/
- https://secure.lni.wa.gov/verify/
- https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=296-200A-016
- https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.27.040
- https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.27.060
- https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=296-200A-900
- https://data.wa.gov/d/m8qx-ubtq
This is not a government site. The licensing board's own record governs; always confirm on the official lookup. Information as of October 6, 2026.