What Washington requires of a roofing contractor
Washington registers contractors and does not license them by exam. To register and stay registered, a roofer needs a bond, liability insurance and an L&I account that is in good standing. Here is each piece and where roofers get tripped up.
We place the bond and the insurance together and send L&I what it needs.
Registration, not a license
Anyone who performs construction work in Washington, roofing included, must be registered as a contractor with the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). There is no trade exam for roofing. Registration depends on keeping three things in force at all times: a bond, liability insurance and, if you have workers, a workers' compensation account.
Most roofers register as a specialty contractor, which covers a single trade. A general contractor registration covers work in more than one trade and the use of subcontractors across trades. The choice sets your bond amount.
| Requirement | Specialty (roofing only) | General |
|---|---|---|
| Contractor surety bond | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| General liability insurance | $200,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit | |
| Certificate holder | Washington State Department of Labor & Industries | |
| Workers' compensation | L&I account required if you have covered workers | |
The bond amounts above took effect July 1, 2024 and are set in RCW 18.27.040. The earlier amounts of $6,000 and $12,000 still appear in older articles and are out of date.
What each one does
The contractor bond
A surety bond protects your customers, workers and suppliers, not you. If a claim is paid on the bond, the surety will look to you to repay it. You pay an annual premium based largely on credit, not the full bond amount.
Liability insurance
Pays for injury and property damage your work causes to others. The state minimum is far below what a single roofing claim can cost and below what almost any contract will accept.
Workers' compensation
Washington employers buy it from L&I, not from private insurers. Roofing is one of the highest-rated classes, and your account must stay current for your registration to stay active.
Five things that suspend a registration or cost a job
A lapse in insurance or bond
If your policy or bond cancels, the carrier or surety notifies L&I and your registration can be suspended. Working while suspended carries penalties and can leave you unable to collect on a contract.
Names that do not match
The business name on the bond and the insurance certificate must match your registration exactly. A mismatch is one of the most common reasons an application is sent back.
The wrong registration type
A specialty registration limits you to roofing and to subcontracting only work that is incidental to it. If you also take on siding, gutters, framing repairs or solar, ask whether you need a general registration.
Minimum limits on a real contract
General contractors, property managers and public owners usually require $1 million per occurrence or more, plus additional insured status. The state minimum gets you registered and little else.
Customer disclosure
Washington requires a written disclosure notice to customers on most residential jobs of $1,000 or more. Keep a signed copy in the job file.
Rules and amounts change. Confirm current requirements with L&I before you apply or renew, and ask us if you are unsure which registration fits your work.
Bond and insurance in one place
Tell us how you work
Roofing only or other trades, residential or commercial, crew or subcontractors. That decides the registration type and the coverage.
We place the bond
Most contractor bonds are issued the same day. Use our contractor bond request if the bond is all you need.
We place the insurance
Liability at the limits your contracts require, written by carriers that cover the roofing you do.
We send L&I the proof
The bond and the certificate go to L&I with the business name matching your registration, and we track the renewal dates.
Washington roofing requirement questions
Do I need a roofing license in Washington?
Washington does not issue a roofing license by exam. You need contractor registration with L&I, which requires a bond and liability insurance. Some cities also require a local business license.
Is the state minimum insurance enough?
It is enough to register. It is rarely enough to win work or to pay a serious claim. Most contracts set higher limits and specific endorsements, and one water damage or injury claim can exceed the minimum many times over.
Can I register without employees?
Yes. If you have no covered workers you may not need to pay workers' comp premiums, but L&I treats some people paid as independent contractors as your workers. Ask before you assume a helper or a sub crew is exempt.
How fast can you get me bonded and insured?
The bond is usually same day. Liability insurance for roofing takes longer because fewer carriers write the class. New ventures should allow several business days, and more if prior claims are involved.
Get registered the right way
Tell us the basics and a construction specialist will follow up on the bond and the insurance together.
- Contractor bonds, often the same day
- Liability from carriers that write roofing
- Certificates sent to L&I for you
This page is a general summary for education and is not legal advice. Washington registration, bond, insurance and workers' compensation requirements change. Confirm current requirements with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries before you rely on them. Coverage is governed by the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policies issued and is subject to underwriting.