Handyman License Requirements in Washington State

A handyman can do projects up to $500 apiece without a license in Washington State but must register as a handyman to handle projects between $500 and $2,000.

In this article, we’ll explain what a handyman can do without a license in Washington, what you can do with a license, the different kinds of licenses you need, and how to get one if you want to do more than odd jobs.

Does a Handyman Need a License in Washington?

A handyman doesn’t need a license in Washington to do jobs worth less than $500. However, you must register with the state as a handyman to take on projects larger than $500 (including labor and materials) or to advertise your services, and you need a contractor license to do projects worth in excess of $2,000. 

You also need to obtain a license to work on electrical, HVAC, or plumbing projects. 

What Can a Handyman Legally Do in Washington? 

As an unregistered handyman, you can only perform minor repair and maintenance work for people you know. You can assist with tasks like mounting a TV, assembling furniture, and cleaning gutters without registering as a handyman.

Once you register yourself as a handyman, you can take on many jobs, including:

• Minor repairs that don’t affect the safety of a building, such as fixing doors and windows
• Basic carpentry work like mounting a TV on the wall or furniture assembly
• Hanging pictures
• Painting rooms
• Repairing or replacing tiles
• Installing or repairing windows
• Patching holes or cracks in walls
• Repairing fences
• Cleaning gutters
• Pressure washing driveways, sidewalks, and siding

You can’t tackle projects over $2,000 or anything that deals with electrical, HVAC, or plumbing. Tasks you can’t perform: 

• Installing or modifying plumbing systems
• Wiring or rewiring a room
• Remodeling a kitchen or bathroom
• Replacing electrical panels
• Installing HVAC systems

Penalties for Exceeding Handyman Work Limits

Performing jobs over $500 as an unregistered handyman or taking on electrical, HVAC, or plumbing work without a license can lead to hefty fines.

Fines range from $250 to $10,000, depending on the type of violation and whether it’s a first, second, or subsequent offense. 

There are also penalties for advertising your services as an unlicensed handyman.

How to Register as a Handyman in Washington State

Washington classifies handymen as specialty contractors. Here’s how to register as a specialty contractor: 

• Be at least 18 years old. 
• Have your business registered as a sole proprietorship or an LLC with the Washington Secretary of State. 
• Get a Washington contractor license bond or set up a savings account with $15,000 for specialty contractors.    
• Purchase general liability insurance of $250,000 ($50,000 for property damage coverage and $200,000 for bodily damage). 
• Complete the specialty contractor application form and pay a fee of $132.60. Mail it to this address. 

How to Register as a General Contractor

If you want to take on projects over $2,000, you should register as a general contractor. Here’s how to do so:

• Be at least 18 years old. 
• Register your business with the Washington Secretary of State as a sole proprietorship or an LLC and obtain a Uniform Business Identifier number. 
• Fill out the Continuous Contractor’s Surety Bond form and purchase a surety bond of $12,000. You can also file a cash deposit or any security deposit accepted by the department. 
• Purchase general liability insurance policy of $200,000 and property damage of $50,000.  
• Complete and submit the specialty contractor application form to this mailing address, along with a filing fee of $132.60. 

How to Register Your Business

You don’t have to register your business if you want to operate it as a sole proprietor under your legal name. However, if you want it under a different name, you should register a Doing Business As (DBA) name. 

Register your business with the state if you want to set it up as an LLC. 

Application process for DBA:

• Choose a business name by checking its availability on the Washington State Department of Revenue Business Lookup website. Washington doesn’t prevent others from using the same business name, but it acts as a public record to let others know you’re using the assumed business name. 
• File DBA online with the Washington State Department of Revenue on the My DOR portal. 
• If you want to file by mail, complete the Business License Application and submit it to this mailing address:

• You can also submit the form in person at an office nearest you. 
• Pay a fee of $55 ($50 for registering business and $5 for filing DBA). 

Application process for LLC:

• Choose a unique business name. Conduct a business name search on the Washington Secretary of State website to find a name for your business. 
• Appoint a registered agent to receive legal documents. 
• Prepare and file the certificate of formation with the Washington Secretary of State. You can file online or by mail. Here’s the mailing address: 

• Pay a fee of $200 for filing online or $180 for filing through mail.  
• Create a Washington LLC operating agreement (not legally required, but highly recommended). Consult with an attorney to ensure the agreement complies with the laws. 
• Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service website and set up a business bank account. 
• File the Beneficial Ownership Information Report (BOIR) with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). 

Note: Check with your city or county for any local licensing requirements. 

Is There an Exam to Become a Handyman in Washington? 

No. Even if you want to become a registered handyman, you don’t have to pass an exam or complete a certification course. 

Are You Handy? Get Busy

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Main Image Credit: Sergii Pavlovskyi / Adobe Stock / License created using Canva Pro

Abdul Wadood

Abdul Wadood enjoys painting and is currently on a mission to help homeowners transform their living spaces from boring to beautiful. When he's not painting, you can find him exploring the world.

Posts by Abdul Wadood